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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 2024-04-25

A slow partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed in the LASCO/C2 coronagraph imagery starting at 18:00 UTC on April 23rd. The CME is propagating to the south-west and has an estimated projected velocity around 400 km/s. The eruption appears related to the M2.9 flare, peak time 17:44 UTC on April 23rd, produced by NOAA AR 3638. An associated type II radio emission was observed starting at 17:10 UTC on April 23rd with estimated velocity of 358 km/s. Analysis of this event suggests no to possibly minor glancing blow impact on Earth late on April 27th.

Forecasts

  • Flare: M-class flares
    (≥50%)
  • Protons: Warning condition
    (increased activity)
  • Geomagnetic: Active conditions
    (A>=20 or K=4)
  • All quiet: False
  • Provisional SSN: 212

Solar Activity

URSIgram 2024-04-25

Solar flaring activity remained at high levels in the past 24 hours with multiple low M-class flares. There are 16 numbered and several unnumbered active regions on the visible solar disc. NOAA AR 3645 (beta-gamma) remains the largest region, while NOAA AR 3643 (beta-gamma-delta) and NOAA AR 3648 (beta-gamma-delta) became the most complex ones. NOAA AR 3639 (beta), NOAA AR 3646 (beta) and NOAA AR 3647 (beta) have decreased the complexity of their underlying magnetic field. The strongest activity was M2.0 flare, start time 22:54 UTC, end time 23:05 UTC, peak time 22:59 UTC on April 24th produced by NOAA AR 3637 (beta) from the west limb. The remaining M-class flaring was produced by NOAA AR 3645 and NOAA AR 3648. The solar flaring activity is expected to be at moderate to high levels over the next days with likely further M-class flaring and 25% chance for isolated X-class flaring. No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have been observed in coronagraph imagery over the past 24 hours. Type II and type IV radio bursts were reported related to C9.4-class flaring from NOAA AR 3638 14:10 UTC on April 24th. The resulting westward CME is estimated to have no impact on Earth. A positive polarity mid-latitude coronal hole is currently residing on the central meridian in the southern hemisphere. The high speed stream emanating from it might arrive to Earth on April 28th, possibly superimposed with expected preceding high speed stream arrival. Over the past 24 hours the greater than 10 MeV GOES proton flux was at background levels and is expected to continue so over the next days, pending any fast eruptive solar activity. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux as measure by GOES 16 and GOES 18 has exceeded the1000 pfu threshold over the past 24h and is expected to repeatedly exceed the 1000 pfu threshold in the upcoming days. The 24h electron fluence was at boundary of nominal to moderate level and is expected to be at moderate levels for the upcoming days.

Solar Wind

URSIgram 2024-04-25

The geomagnetic conditions over the past 24 hours were quiet. Quiet to active conditions are anticipated for April 25th with chances for isolated minor storm levels on April26th -April 28th. Over the past 24 hours the solar wind parameters (ACE and DSCOVR) were indicative of background slow solar wind regime. The solar wind velocity was predominantly below 400 km/s. The interplanetary magnetic field (B) was weak with a maximum value of 4.8 nT and a minimum Bz of -3.9 nT. The B field phi angle was alternating between the negative and the positive sector (directed towards and away from the Sun). The solar wind conditions might experience mild enhancements on April 25th - April 28th with possible mild high speed streams encounters related to several positive polarity coronal holes.

Research

News

Soar like an eagle

Solar activity has risen dramatically during the last week, with sunspot numbers near their highest levels so far this solar cycle and an average of 2 to 3 M-class flares during almost every day.

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.
 

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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