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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 2024-05-12

A partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed in SOHO/LASCO-C2 images around 02:00 UTC on May 12. This is possibly associated with a filament eruption on the SE quadrant of the Sun. It has a speed of about 600 km/s. A glancing blow, associated with this CME, can be expected at the Earth late on May 14 or early on May 15.

Flaremail 2024-05-11

A class M8.8 solar X-ray flare occurred on 2024/05/11 with peak time 15:25UT

CACTus Halo 2024-05-12

A halo or partial-halo CME was detected with the following characteristics: t0 | dt0| pa | da | v | dv | minv| maxv| 2024-05-12T02:00:07.452 | 4.0 | 179 | 184 | 452 | 70 | 297 | 624 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: Event
    (10 pfu at >10 MeV)
  • Geomagnetic: Major
    (ISES: Severe) magstorm
    (A>=100 or K>=7)
  • All quiet: False
  • Provisional SSN: 182

Solar Activity

URSIgram 2024-05-12

The solar flaring activity was at moderate levels with few M-class flares during the last 24 hours. The strongest reported flare was GOES M8.9 flare which peaked at 15:25 UTC on May 11, produced by NOAA Active Region (AR) 3664. During the flare, source region (AR 3664) of the flare had beta-gamma-delta configuration of its photospheric magnetic field. The solar flaring activity is expected to be at moderate to high levels over the next 24 hours possibly with few M-class flares and a chance for X-class flare. A coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed on SOHO/LASCO-C2 images around 16:24 UTC on May 11. This CME is associated with a M8.9 flare, which peaked at 15:25 UTC, produced by NOAA AR 3664. This CME has a projected speed of about 1000 km/s. A glancing blow, associated with this CME, can be expected at the Earth on May 13. A narrow CME of about 50 degree width, possibly associated with a prominence eruption, was observed on SW limb in LASCO-C2 images around 19:12 UTC on May. It is predominantly south directed so it will not arrive at Earth. Another possibly partial halo CME was observed in LASCO-C2 images around 02:00 UTC on May 12. This is possibly associated with a filament eruption on the SE quadrant of the Sun. It has a width of about 90 degree and speed of about 600 km/s. A glancing blow, associated with this CME, can be expected at the Earth late on May 14 or early on May 15. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux dropped just below the 10 pfu threshold level 11:40 UTC on May 12. The greater than 50 MeV GOES proton flux dropped below the 10 pfu threshold level at 17:00 UTC on May 11 and it is decreasing. There is a possibility that the proton flux greater than 10 MeV may start to increase again in the next 24 hours. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux, as measured by the GOES-16 satellite, was below the threshold level over the past 24 hours and is expected to remain so in the coming 24 hours. The 24h electron fluence is presently at normal level and it is expected to remain so in the next 24 hours.

Solar Wind

URSIgram 2024-05-12

Over the past 24 hours, geomagnetic conditions decreased to active condiitons (NOAA Kp=4) globally and unsettled conditions (K BEL=3) locally. We expect active to moderate storm levels in the next 24 hours due to the possible arrival of an ICME (associated to CME observed on May 11, produced by NOAA AR 3664) and high speed streams, which originated from two coronal holes that started to cross the central meridian on May 08. In the last 24 hours, the Earth was still under the influence of arrivals of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and also possibly the arrivals of high speed streams, which originated from two coronal holes that started to cross the central meridian on May 08. A first shock-like structure was detected in the solar wind data around 17:55 UTC on May 11. The interplanetary magnetic field jumped from 8 nT to 47 nT, the solar wind speed jumped from 800 km/s to 895 km/s. Another shock-like structure was detected around 08:59 UTC on May 12. The interplanetary magnetic field jumped from 5 nT to 12 nT, the solar wind speed jumped from 830 km/s to 900 km/s. These shock-like structures are related to the arrival of ICMEs. The solar wind speed ranged from 700 km/s to 1000 km/s. The interplanetary magnetic field ranged from 3 nT to 28 nT. The North-South component (Bz) ranged between -29 to 15 nT. Enhanced solar wind parameters associated with arrivals of an ICME (CMEs observed on May 11, produced by NOAA AR 3664) and high speed streams originating from two coronal holes, which started to cross the central meridian on May 08, are expected in the next 24 hours.

Research

News

Extremely severe geomagnetic storm!

As expected, the first in a series of CMEs has arrived and unleashed its full power, resulting in an extremely severe geomagnetic storm. Further severe storming this weekend is possible. ***UPDATED (2)***

X-class festival continues!

The high solar flare activity continues as NOAA 3664 has joined the party. ***UPDATED (5)***

The show continues!...

NOAA 3663 produced its 4th and -so far- strongest X-class flare on 6 May.
 

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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