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Observations

Space Based Imaging

More data: SWAP, EUI

Ground Based Imaging

More: H-α, WL, Ca-IIK, Drawings

Ground Based Radio

More: ARCAS+HSRS, CALLISTO

Space Based Timelines

More data: LYRA, TSI

WDC Sunspot Index

More data: SILSO

Space Weather Services

Detections

Solar Map

Latest Alerts

Presto 2024-04-16

A faint partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed in LASCO/C2 coronagraph data from 06:48 UTC on Apr 15. The CME is directed primarily to the North from the Earth's perspective and is likely associated with a small filament eruption near NOAA AR 3636. Current analysis suggests that this CME may have an Earth directed component, with a predicted arrival time of late on Apr 17 - early on Apr 18.

CACTus Halo 2024-04-14

A halo or partial-halo CME was detected with the following characteristics: t0 | dt0| pa | da | v | dv | minv| maxv| 2024-04-14T06:12:07.453 | 3.0 | 107 | 288 | 1302 | 353 | 449 | 1953 t0: onset time, earliest indication of liftoff dt0: duration of liftoff (hours) pa: principal angle, counterclockwise from North (degrees) da: angular width of the CME (degrees), v: median velocity (km/s) dv: variation (1 sigma) of velocity over the width of the CME mindv: lowest velocity detected within the CME maxdv: highest velocity detected within the CME

Forecasts

  • Flare: M-class flares
    (≥50%)
  • Protons: Quiet
  • Geomagnetic: Active conditions
    (A>=20 or K=4)
  • All quiet: False
  • Provisional SSN: 178

Solar Activity

URSIgram 2024-04-16

Solar flaring activity was at moderate level, with multiple C-class flares and four M-class flares recorded in the past 24 hours. The largest flare of the period was an M4.0 flare, peaking at 19:32 UTC on Apr 15, associated with NOAA AR 3639. NOAA AR 3639 became magnetically more complex (from beta to beta-gamma class) and was the main driver of the flaring activity observed over the past 24 hours together with NOAA AR 3634 (beta class), NOAA AR 3638 (beta class) and NOAA AR 3643 (beta class). Other regions on the disc have simple configuration of their photospheric magnetic field (alpha and beta) and did not show any significant flaring activity. The solar flaring activity is expected to be at moderate levels over the next 24 hours, with M-class flares possible and a low chances of X- class flares. A faint partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed in LASCO/C2 coronagraph data from 06:48 UTC on Apr 15. The CME is directed primarily to the North from the Earth's perspective and is likely associated with a small filament eruption near NOAA AR 3636. Current analysis suggests that this CME may have an Earth directed component, with a predicted arrival time of late on Apr 17 - early on Apr 18. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was at nominal levels over the past 24 hours and is expected to remain so for the next 24 hours. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux, as measured by the GOES-16 satellite, remained below the 1000 pfu threshold. It is expected to remain below the threshold during the next 24 hours. The 24 hour electron fluence was at normal levels and is expected to remain at these levels for the following 24 hours.

Solar Wind

URSIgram 2024-04-16

The geomagnetic conditions over the past 24 hours were quiet to active globally (NOAA-Kp=1-4). Locally only quiet to unsettled(K-Bel=2-3) conditions were observed over Belgium. Quiet to unsettled geomagnetic conditions are expected for the next 24 hours with a remaining possibility for isolated active periods. At the beginning of the period, the solar wind parameters were reflecting slow solar wind conditions. The solar wind speed was approximately 330 km/s; the total interplanetary magnetic field was below 5 nT. The solar wind conditions became slightly disturbed from around 17:26 UTC on December 15, with the total interplanetary magnetic field reaching the values up to 12 nT. The southward component of the interplanetary magnetic field fluctuated between -10 nT and 5 nT. This is probably associated with the arrival of a faint halo CME observed on Apr 12. The solar wind conditions are expected to remain slightly elevated due to the ICME passage with a chance of a week enhancement late on Dec 17- early on Dec 18 due to anticipated arrival of CME from Apr 14.

Research

News

Eye pleaser

A spectacular eruption took place on the Sun's farside on 11 April. The associated coronal mass ejection was not earth-directed.

Preparing for the eclipse

On 8 April 2024, a large part of the United States and Mexico will experience a total solar eclipse. Also at the STCE in Belgium, all eyes will be on the Sun. Three satellite instrument teams are preparing for unique, yet complementary, eclipse observations.

NOAA 13615

Active region NOAA 13615 was one of the larger sunspot groups so far this solar cycle. During its transit, it produced 1 X-class flare and 43 M-class flares, the latter is an exceptionally high number.
 

Activities

Ground Observations

The SIDC monitors the level of solar activity from the photosphere to the corona with ground based instruments located in Uccle and Humain.

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Space Instruments

To avoid the disturbing or blocking effect of the Earth atmosphere, EUV observations of the solar corona need to be made from space...

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Space Weather & Climate

We monitor and forecast solar variability to provide information services  to society and industry about the influence of space weather and climate.

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Data Processing & Distribution

Data processing is necessary to extract relevant information for research studies, whereas data distribution and visualization are part of ROB open data policy.

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Modeling

Modelling of Solar phenomena allows scientists to test theories and to predict Space Weather phenomena and their impact on Earth.

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Supporting Research

The SIDC shares and expands its expertise through interaction with both upcoming and experienced researchers.

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