MOSTLY QUIET WITH A CHANCE OF FLARES: For the past 24 hours, solar activity has been low. However, two sunspots facing Earth, AR1957 and AR1959, have 'beta-gamma' magnetic fields that harbor energy for M-class solar flares. NOAA forecasters estimate a 30% chance of M-flares on Jan. 22nd. Solar flare alerts: text, voice.
ARCTIC LIGHTS: Earth is entering a stream of solar wind blowing almost 600 km/s (1.3 million mph), and this is sparking auroras around the Arctic Circle. Just after nightfall on Jan. 21st, Harald Albrigtsen photographed the display over Kvaløya, Tromsø, Norway:
"I caught the auroras just before the clouds arrived," says Albrigtsen, "so it was a lucky shot."
More lucky shots are possible on Jan. 23 when a CME is expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field, adding to the effect of the solar wind stream already here. NOAA forecasters estimate a 25% chance of polar geomagnetic storms. Aurora alerts: text, voice.
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Solar wind
speed: 511.3 km/sec
density: 0.8 protons/cm3
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1557 UT
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X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B8 1016 UT Jan22
24-hr: C1 0734 UT Jan22
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1600 UT
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Daily Sun: 22 Jan 14
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Sunspots AR1957 and AR1959 have 'beta-gamma' magnetic fields that harbor energy for M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI
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Sunspot number: 141
What is the sunspot number?
Updated 22 Jan 2014
Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 0 days
2014 total: 0 days (0%)
2013 total: 0 days (0%)
2012 total: 0 days (0%)
2011 total: 2 days (<1%)
2010 total: 51 days (14%)
2009 total: 260 days (71%)
Update 22 Jan 2014
The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 146 sfu
explanation | more data
Updated 22 Jan 2014
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Current Auroral Oval:
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Switch to: Europe, USA, New Zealand, Antarctica
Credit: NOAA/POES
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Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet
explanation | more data
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Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 6.5 nT
Bz: 1.6 nT south
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1557 UT
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Coronal Holes: 21 Jan 14
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Earth is inside a stream of solar wind flowing from the indicated coronal hole. . Credit: SDO/AIA.
