Daily Sun: 03 Feb 22


Sunspot AR2940 has an unstable 'beta-gamma' magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

Current Auroral Oval:

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 5 storm
24-hr max: Kp= 5 storm
explanation | more data

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 12.2 nT
Bz: -0.9 nT south
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1215 UT

Coronal Holes: 03 Feb 22



Solar wind flowing from this minor equatorial coronal hole should reach Earth on Feb. 6th. Credit: SDO/AIA

Noctilucent Clouds
The southern hemisphere season for noctilucent clouds has begun. NASA's AIM spacecraft detected the first electric-blue puffs over Antarctica on Dec. 14th.

👀 CHANCE OF FLARES TODAY ☀️
Sunspot AR2940 has a 'beta-gamma' magnetic field that harbors energy for strong M-class solar flares.

NOAA forecasters say there is a 25% chance of such an eruption during the next 24 hours.

The sunspot is almost directly facing Earth, so any flares will be geoeffective.

ESTIMATED PLANETARY K-INDEX

Have a great day! – Feb 3, 2022

Solar wind
speed: 503.5 km/sec
density: 9.1 protons/cm3
Updated: Today at 1515 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 1104 UT Feb04
24-hr: C2 0606 UT Feb04
Updated: Today at: 1520 UT

Daily Sun: 04 Feb 22

New sunspot AR2941 could be the leading member of a much larger group partially eclipsed by the edge of the sun. Helioseismology of the sun's farside detected the group last week. Credit: SDO/HMI

Current Auroral Oval:

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 4 unsettled
24-hr max: Kp= 4 unsettled

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 7.4 nT
Bz: 0.6 nT north
Updated: Today at 1516 UT

Coronal Holes: 04 Feb 22

Solar wind flowing from this minor equatorial coronal hole should reach Earth on Feb. 5-6. Credit: SDO/AIA

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: A minor G1-class geomagnetic storm is possible on Feb. 5th or 6th when Earth enters a stream of solar wind flowing from a hole in the sun's atmosphere. Arctic sky watchers should be alert for an episode of bright auroras on those dates.

Solar wind
speed: 458.2 km/sec
density: 5.0 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 2030 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 1700 UT Feb07
24-hr: C3 1239 UT Feb07
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 2035 UT

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH--UPDATE: A CME is going to hit Earth's magnetic field during the late hours of Feb. 9th, according to updated NOAA forecast models. The impact could spark G1-class geomagnetic storms. The CME was hurled in our direction yesterday by a long-duration solar flare (AR2939). The explosion peaked at category C3, which is considered to be weak. However, the flare made up for its low amplitude by lasting for more than 3 hours; it put more power into the CME than its feeble C3 rating might suggest.

Solar wind
speed: 432.5 km/sec
density: 4.8 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1700 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 1638 UT Feb08
24-hr: C1 1705 UT Feb07
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1705 UT

MAGNIFICENT ERUPTION: For days, astronomers around the world have been monitoring a colossal prominence dancing over the sun's southeastern limb. It just erupted. Cameras's onboard NOAA's GOES-16 satellite recorded a magnificent uncurling of the structure, which also hurled a CME into space. The CME is not Earth directed.