CHANCE OF MINOR STORMS: A stream of solar wind flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere is approaching Earth. NOAA forecasters say there is a chance of minor G1-class geomagnetic storms when the stream arrives on Feb. 20th. A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) traveling just ahead of the stream improves the chances that a storm will actually occur.

Solar wind
speed: 411.1 km/sec
density: 10.7 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 2006 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 1942 UT Feb19
24-hr: C1 1942 UT Feb19
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 2010 UT

Solar wind
speed: 536.0 km/sec
density: 11.1 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0831 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B2 0627 UT Feb21
24-hr: B4 1218 UT Feb20
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 0835 UT

Daily Sun: 21 Feb 22
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Returning sunspot AR2936 has been re-numbered AR2954. Per tradition, sunspots receive a new number each time they cross the solar disk.. Credit: SDO/HMI

Current Auroral Oval:



Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 1 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet
explanation | more data

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 4.8 nT
Bz: 0.6 nT north
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0830 UT

Coronal Holes: 21 Feb 22



Earth is inside a stream of solar wind flowing from this southern coronal hole. Credit: SDO/AIA

SUNSPOT NOT SO SCARY, AFTER ALL? Old sunspot AR2936 is back. It is now rotating into view over the sun's northeastern limb. Unless there is more of it hidden behind the edge of the sun, AR2936 is not as scary as we expected. Who would have guessed that a sunspot like this could produce a huge explosion like that? Perhaps the sun's rotation will reveal some additional menace later today. Stay tuned.
https://spaceweathergallery.com/full_image.php?image_name=Eduardo-Schaberger-Poupeau-New-Old-Sunspot-02-20-22_1645383447.jpg

Solar wind
speed: 469.6 km/sec
density: 6.8 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1040 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B3 0817 UT Feb23
24-hr: B4 0244 UT Feb23
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1045 UT

Daily Sun: 23 Feb 22
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These sunspots have simple, stable magnetic fields that pose no threat for strong flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

Current Auroral Oval:


Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 2 quiet
explanation | more data

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 4.9 nT
Bz: -0.0 nT south
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1040 UT

Coronal Holes: 23 Feb 22



Solar wind flowing from this equatorial coronal hole could reach Earth on Feb. 28-March 1. Credit: SDO/AIA

ALMOST NO CHANCE OF FLARES: According to NOAA forecasters, the chance of a strong flare today is no more than 1%. Blame the simplicity of sunspots. All of the sunspots on the sun today have uncomplicated magnetic fields too stable to explode.

Solar wind
speed: 456.0 km/sec
density: 1.7 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1146 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B1 0549 UT Feb24
24-hr: B9 0255 UT Feb24
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1150 UT

Daily Sun: 24 Feb 22


These sunspots have simple, stable magnetic fields that pose no threat for strong flares. Credit: SDO/HMI

Current Auroral Oval:


Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet
explanation | more data

Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 3.6 nT
Bz: 2.9 nT north
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1145 UT

Coronal Holes: 24 Feb 22



Solar wind flowing from this equatorial coronal hole could reach Earth on Feb. 28-March 1. Credit: SDO/AIA