Sun news for December 19, 2023: More beautiful auroras as storming comes to an end

Today’s top news: After another night of mesmerising auroral displays during a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm, action at Earth has finally calmed. This fantastic show came after a period of crazy activity on the sun. As the effects of several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and fast solar wind fade, more action seems to be on the way; let’s see what our star next has in store for us.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low, but action seems to be picking up. With prominences adorning the limbs (edges) of our star, fresh sunspot groups seem to be just out of view. In fact, incoming sunspots have been observed with helioseismology over the horizon on the eastern limb, soon to rotate into view. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, 12 C flares were fired. The largest was a C7.4 flare, fired at 3:04 UTC on December 19 by sunspot group AR3528. This active region was the lead flare producer of the period with five Cs. AR3520 was close behind with four C flares. The sun currently has nine labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side, including three newcomers: AR3527 in the west, AR3528 close to the central meridian in the northeast, and AR3529 in the southeast.
Next 24 hours forecast: The forecast is a 99% chance for C flares, a 25% chance for M flares, and a 5% chance for X flares.
Next expected CME:  No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed in the available imagery.
Current geomagnetic activity: Earth’s geomagnetic field is quiet at the time of this writing (11 UTC on December 19), but a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm was registered at 23:59 UTC, December 18. Unsettled conditions are expected during the rest of the day through tomorrow as the CMEs from December 14 to 15 start to wane, while we continue to experience the effects of fast solar wind from a coronal hole.

Sun news for December 18, 2023: Night #2 for great auroras!

Sun news for December 18, 2023. More auroras! Join EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd in the video above, for more.
It’s been two fabulous night of auroras! At the time of this writing (11 UTC on Monday, December 18), Earth is experiencing yet more geomagnetic storming, due to coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and high speed solar wind from a coronal hole. The storming is at G2 (moderate) levels at this time. Aurora reports were arguably fewer Sunday night (December 17-18) than Saturday night (December 16-17). But both nights were grand! And we might see auroral activity later today. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity due to flares is moderate with one M1.1 flares and 12 C flares observed. The largest event was an M1.1 flare from sunspot region AR3520 at 20:08 UTC December 17. AR3520 produced five flares including the M1.1. There is significant activity beyond the west limb (edge), most likely due to AR3514 acting up. Several eruptions are visible from this area in 304-angstrom light from SDO and GOES-16. The Earth-facing side of the sun currently has six active regions.

This is insane tonight
Aurora pulsating overhead ??? pic.twitter.com/iv9i7Ou0rh

— ?Angel Brise’ Alaska Adventurer? (@AngelBrise1) December 18, 2023

Another successful #aurorahunting tour last night here in #Yellowknife! Level 4.5 -23C windchill -31C! More Aurora dreams come true! Book now make your Aurora #dreamcometrue! #auroraborealis #northernlights #bestplacetoseeaurora #bucketlist #indigenousbusiness #livelife #lovelife pic.twitter.com/J0X5tRG3DV

— NorthStarAdventures (@NStarAdventures) December 18, 2023

Despite the weak, glancing blow of the CME, there was enough energy in its wake that pushed a relatively brief, but highly visible ?#Aurora substorm into mid-lat, on the horizon- Even as far south as Hartford in S Wisconsin and further! ? Of course the car headlight too! ? pic.twitter.com/3kIH8zsV1X

— Jake Stehli (@eljakeo30) December 18, 2023

Sun news for December 17, 2023: Auroras! And more coming …

Good morning! Here’s a little green to start your Sunday :) pic.twitter.com/bVsb0wYcnU

— Vincent Ledvina (@Vincent_Ledvina) December 17, 2023

We’ve got auroras! One or more of the anticipated coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from December 14 and 15 may have reached Earth. At the time of this writing (11 UTC on Sunday, December 17), we are experiencing a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm and we are starting to see some aurora reports. The reports are mostly from Canada and Alaska. Over the next day we will wait to see if there are any signs of additional CME impacts and resulting geomagnetic storming and auroras. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity due to flares is low with 16 C-class flares observed. The largest event was a back-to-back set of flares from sunspot region AR3514, a C8.4 and C8.1 at 13:19 and 14:12 UTC respectively. AR3514 produced most of the flares at 14 of 16. It has almost completely rotated out of view over the west limb. It has decayed, losing its delta region, but this sunspot group still has the potential for some significant flaring. The Earth-facing side of the sun currently has nine active regions.

Another photo from late this morning. 7:45am in Kodiak, Alaska pic.twitter.com/ucqKPOCyMD

— Kris Luckenbach (@KrisLuckPhoto) December 18, 2023

More amazing #AuroraBorealis imagery from space overnight during yet another geomagnetic storm. This sun cycle rocks! https://t.co/N94utqlp7f pic.twitter.com/otomroBJa6

— UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS) December 17, 2023

We’re on!
202312170657
Northeast of Strathmore Alberta #Aurora #Auroraborealis #northernlights pic.twitter.com/yWaGfITCld

— Harlan Thomas (@theauroraguy) December 17, 2023

Woohoo! She’s dancing in Central Alberta now. #TeamTanner #Aurora @TamithaSkov @chunder10 @scottrockphoto @PeakToSailPhoto @hillsblockview pic.twitter.com/6ad856jUaC

— Dar Tanner (@dartanner) December 17, 2023

The aurora in Alaska went nuts tonight, wow! pic.twitter.com/1L5GSLvEqB

— Vincent Ledvina (@Vincent_Ledvina) December 17, 2023

Decent aurora potential now if you’re in Alaska or Siberia… Europe get ready for a potential mid-latitude aurora breakout, although we need to monitor activity over the next several hours. Nice substorm in GOES Mag, AE is healthy… pic.twitter.com/lPrBrtqrVR

— Vincent Ledvina (@Vincent_Ledvina) December 17, 2023

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Bottom line: Sun news December 19, 2023. Beautiful auroras were enjoyed for another night, as the recent flurry of geomagnetic activity finally came to a close.

The post Sun news: More beautiful auroras as storming comes to an end first appeared on EarthSky.

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

Auroras incoming late tonight and tomorrow night! Four coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are currently headed toward Earth. These blobs of solar plasma and magnetic fields are expected to reach us late today into tomorrow. The first one (late today) will give the south of Earth a glancing blow. And then comes the big punch. Three CMEs should reach us early tomorrow, December 1. In fact – on its journey through space – a large CME that left the sun on November 28 will overtake the two events from the previous day, creating a complicated mass of sun-stuff known as a cannibal CME. Sound scary? Not at all. And it’s going to bring some beautiful auroral displays to northern latitudes! Forecasters are predicting up to a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm, with auroras that could even be somewhat visible on the horizon to those at latitudes like those in the northern U.S. Good luck, aurora chasers!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low, with 14 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C3.8 flare from sunspot group AR3500 at 14:35 UTC on November 29. This region has remained active after Tuesday’s almost-X flare, firing more flares than any other sunspot group (six out of the 14) as well as producing jets all day. It has kept its beta-gamma magnetic complexity, so the possibility of large M flares remains. It is the largest and most complex of the ten active regions currently on the Earth-viewed side of our sun.

Sun activity for November 29, 2023: Almost-X flare! Auroras incoming

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

Bam! The sun almost reached X flare levels with an M9.8 released at 19:50 UTC on November 28. An X flare is the strongest category of solar flare. This almost-X came from sunspot region AR3500 near the center of the sun’s disk. It sent a CME (coronal mass ejection) straight toward Earth. Space weather forecasters at NOAA predict this blob of sun-stuff will reach Earth on November 30. This CME is traveling to us behind another CME – released from the sun on November 27 – which is expected to reach us on late November 29. Together, these two solar blasts may provoke G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms at Earth. That means substantial auroras will be visible at higher latitudes. Fingers crossed for clear skies!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity has risen to high after the production of the M9.8 flare. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun released two M flares and six Cs. The M9.8 came shortly after an M3.4 at 19:13 UTC, November 28. Both flares came from AR3500, and both produced radio blackouts off the west coast of South America. The M3.4’s blackout was rated at R1 (minor), while the almost-X flare produced an R2 (moderate) blackout. AR3500 continues to show a beta-gamma magnetic complexity. The sun currently has ten active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for November 28, 2023: More sun-stuff headed toward Earth

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

The sun is at it again! We saw a huge eruption on the sun yesterday, and it’s headed our way. In fact, the last 24 hours was full of action, with a huge solar burp in the northeast at around 18:24 UTC yesterday, followed by another one slightly further northeast at around 22:23 UTC. And if those two weren’t enough, another blast came from an area not yet in view, just over the northeast limb (edge). The first two more than likely were directed toward Earth, while the third one will probably pass us by. As with the previous day’s eruption, if these coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are heading toward Earth, this could mean geomagnetic storms. And when Earth’s magnetic field gets disturbed, that means more auroras! Keep an eye out over the next few days.
Last 24 hours: With eight C flares produced by the sun during the past day, sun activity is currently deemed to be low. The largest flare was a C6.7 from AR3500 at 18:52 UTC on November 27. The lead flare producer of the period (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today) is an unnumbered active region coming into view on the northeast limb, which fired two of the eight blasts. The sun currently has 10 active regions on its Earth-facing side. Sunspot group AR3500’s magnetic complexity reduced to a less-potent beta-gamma configuration, the same as AR3499. The rest of the active regions show simple alpha and beta configurations.

Sun activity for November 27, 2023: Watch sun-stuff blast into space

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

It is a low sun activity day, but nobody told our star that. It released a huge rope of plasma and magnetic fields, a filament, off into space, possibly heading our way. We await further analysis for confirmation of an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME). If this CME is heading toward Earth, this could mean disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field – aka geomagnetic storms – and that would mean more auroras. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity has dropped again over the past 24 hours, with six C flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C2.7 from AR3500 at 12:52 UTC on November 26. The sun still has an impressive number of active regions – 12 in all – but most stayed the same or decayed some. Region AR3500 has maintained its beta-gamma-delta configuration, but its size and flare activity are small. AR3499 has developed a beta-gamma configuration, showing some increase in magnetic complexity.

Sun activity for November 26, 2023: Amazing auroras last night

Today’s top news: Yesterday saw continued disturbance to Earth’s magnetic field after the arrival of one or more CMEs (coronal mass ejections, or burps of material from the sun). Geomagnetic storming even briefly reached G2 (moderate) levels. That was around 21 UTC on November 25. The blast from the sun produced some amazing auroral displays at higher latitudes such as Alaska, Canada, and northern Europe.
Last 24 hours: As auroral action at Earth continued, the sun started to wake up a bit from its (relative) slumber. It produced 14 C flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C4.4 from the newest region, AR3503, at 13:16 UTC on November 25. The sun still has an impressive number of active regions – 12 in all – but most stayed the same or decayed some. Region AR3500 has maintained its beta-gamma-delta configuration, but its size and flare activity are small.

Sun activity for November 25, 2023: CME(s) hit Earth this morning

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

A CME is here. It’s a great burp of material and magnetic fields from the sun. Scientists detected its impact earlier today, at 8:35 UTC. The result is a minor disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field – a G1 geomagnetic storm – which began at 8:59 UTC today and which should be causing auroral displays now. By tonight, the auroras might extend into latitudes like those in the northern U.S. Aurora alert! Multiple CMEs left the sun on November 22, and this impact is due to one or more of these events. Auroras will be possible tonight for latitudes as far south as North Dakota and Montana in the U.S. This increase in geomagnetic activity should continue through today, with possibly more storming through tomorrow.
Last 24 hours: While the auroral excitement continues at Earth, it seems the sun hit the snooze button. Sun activity due to flares has decreased to low levels within the past 24 hours (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The observation period only saw four C flares despite a sun covered with a plethora of 11 active regions. A couple of them show delta magnetic complexity, which could bring M or even X flares. The largest flare of the past day was a C5.6, from active region AR3495. It occurred at 22:19 UTC on November 24. This same active region, AR3495, is the lead flare producer of the day with two C class flares. The sun is also covered with filaments on the solar disk, which have the potential for eruptions and, thus, more CMEs. The sun has 11 labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for November 24, 2023, is on the rise across the board

Sun activity is increasing significantly. Over the past day we saw not only more flares than the previous day, but more M flares, too. These flares were joined by several more filament eruptions and coronal mass ejections. And while the size of individual sunspots on the Earth-facing disk is not remarkable, the number of sunspot regions is; we can currently see 13 of them, an increase of three from yesterday’s total. And sunspot region complexity is increasing, too. Three of the 13 active regions now have a delta complexity, which indicates a good possibility of producing intense flares. In fact, AR3500 has a beta-gamma-delta region – the most complex magnetic configuration – so perhaps we’ll see large M or even X flares from this sunspot group. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: A couple of M flares have kept sun activity at moderate. On top of those, we observed 18 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The two M1.1 flares occurred at 14:37 UTC on November 23 and 9:33 UTC on November 24, blasted by AR3490 in the northeast and AR3499 in the southwest, respectively. They caused R1 (minor) radio blackouts over South America off the east coast of Brazil and over the Mozambique Channel in South Africa. AR3492’s five C flares made it the most active region. AR3490 and AR3502 are the two regions with delta configurations, while AR3500 has a beta-gamma-delta configuration. The three new sunspot regions are AR3499, AR3500 and AR3501.

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

Sun activity for November 23, 2023: M flare outshone by a volley of eruptions

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

An M1.5 flare has brought activity up to moderate, but its limelight has been stolen by three fast filament eruptions in the northeast. First, a large filament – that is, a rope of solar material and magnetic fields – exploded from just over the northeast limb at 2:14 UTC this morning. Then another filament from over the northeast limb erupted at 5:29 UTC, followed by another at 6:59 UTC. These eruptions appear to be coming from an energetic region that has not quite yet rotated into view. While the M1.5 flare technically produced more light emission than the eruptions, the notable brightening of the filaments stole our attention away from the flare. The three eruptions produced coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that were visible in the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C2 instrument. These are all under analysis to determine if any are coming Earth’s way.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate after an isolated M flare. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced ten flares: one M and nine Cs. The largest, the M1.5 flare, came from sunspot group AR3494 in the southeast at 3:38 UTC on November 23. Shortly after this flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout was registered affecting an area over off the northwest coast of Australia. The most active region of the period was AR3492 in the northeast with five C flares. There are currently nine numbered active regions on the Earth-viewed side of our star. Two of them, AR3490 and AR3492, are showing a beta-gamma configuration. The rest remain stable with alpha or beta configurations.

Sun activity for November 22, 2023: Earth is blowin’ in the solar wind

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

Auroras on the way tonight! Fast solar wind is now buffeting Earth, and our geomagnetic field has been disturbed enough to cause a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm. This threshold was reached at 5:50 UTC this morning, and the storm is continuing at the time of this writing. Did you catch the auroras this morning? If not, don’t worry; conditions for auroras should persist through today and tonight. That includes the chance for those in northern US states to see auroras on the horizon – that’s what’s indicated by the thin red line on the chart above. Get your cameras ready for possible auroras tonight, and be sure to share your beautiful photos with us.
Last 24 hours: Although the sun is peppered with sunspots, sun activity remains low today with only C flares. From 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today we saw 14 C flares, the largest being a C8.9 from sunspot group AR3492 at 6:28 UTC on November 22. This group remains the most active region, producing nine flares. AR3489 lost its delta region and is now only a beta region. AR3494 kept its beta-gamma configuration. Although flaring is low, filaments and prominences continue to dazzle us. A prominence hanging out near the southern limb gave us a great eruption, firing out a coronal mass ejection (CME) that is probably not Earth-bound. The sun currently has nine labeled active regions. The newest of these is AR3498 in the southwest.

Sun activity for November 21, 2023: Sun-sational action ahead?!

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

As we’ve been reporting, the sun has been nearly spot-free these past few days. There were only three sunspot groups early yesterday. Then suddenly – bang – there were nine. It was a lot of fun to watch! The most notable part of this sudden explosion of sunspots came from AR3490, which the sun’s rotation has now carried further into view on the Earth-facing side of our star. As we watched, this region suddenly split into multiple sunspot groups. What does this new archipelago of sunspots mean? It might mean some big flares. There might be M and possibly even X flares in the coming days. The new regions aren’t particularly large. But some now have a promising level of magnetic complexity, often a sign of potentially large flares on the horizon. For example, sunspot region AR3489 has a beta-delta configuration. The delta classification indicates a mixture of magnetic polarities within a single sunspot. And that’s a recipe for some sun-sational action. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Despite the potential activity we just mentioned, sun activity over the past day has been low. We saw only C flares, 16 in all from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today. The largest was a C8.0 flare from sunspot region AR3492 in the northeast quadrant at 12:31 UTC on November 20, 2023. This group has an interesting beta-gamma configuration. And it was the lead flare producer of the past day with 12 of the 16 flares.  The sun has nine labeled active regions on the Earth-facing solar disk. There are six newcomers today: AR3492, AR3495, AR3496 and AR3497 on the northeast quadrant and AR3493 and AR3494 on the southeast limb (edge).

EarthSky sun activity author Dr. C. Alex Young also produces @thesuntoday.

Solar max is coming

A coronal mass ejection (CME) was expected to strike Earth late yesterday. But it hasn’t made it to Earth yet. Meanwhile, forecasters still believe it will impact our planet and bring an auroral display to high latitudes. As we wait for it, the sun continues to entertain us with a festival of filaments. They take the form of the long plasma ropes across the sun that can be more than 400,000 miles (700,000 km) long, or even longer. We also see some sitting, or dancing, on the sun’s limb (edge); in that case, we call them prominences. And two can be seen erupting from behind the sun’s limb, in the northeast quadrant, and then the northwest. It’s quite a show. And it’s a bit mind-blowing to know that each one of these filaments is made up of billions of tons of solar material. That sounds like a lot, but it’s only a tiny fraction of the mass of the sun. Our star contains a billion billion billion tons of material!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is now moderate, with the production of an M1.2 flare from sunspot region AR3490. It happened at 8:54 UT today (November 20). The M flare produced an R1 radio blackout over Africa and the Indian Ocean. The sun produced 16 flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). Five of the flares came from AR3489, and five from AR3490. The sun has three labeled active regions on the Earth-facing solar disk.

Sun activity for November 19, 2023: Fun filaments and CMEs galore!

Today’s top news: It’s a day of flying filaments. Looking along the limb (edge) of the Earth-facing sun, we see numerous eruptions, small and large, front-sided and back-sided. It makes for quite a show. With the SOHO C2 and C3 coronagraphs, we can follow the eruptions further into space. These red, fire-like structures change into coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are great wispy clouds of solar particles and magnetic fields. All of the events from the past day look to be heading away from Earth. But further analysis will provide more certainty about that. And, meanwhile, there are several large filaments on the solar disk. Two of these giant plasma ropes are at least 700,000 km (430,000 mi) long. If one of them should erupt, an Earth-directed CME is highly likely.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with the production of two M flares. The newly numbered active region we spoke about yesterday has now rotated full into view, receving the sunspot number AR3490. And, sure enough – as we thought it might – it produced these M flares. The first was an M1.1, occurring at 16:34 UTC on November 18. And the second was an M1.0, occurring at 22:26 UTC on November 18. The region produced 10 of the 19 flares of the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The M flares each produced an R1 radio blackout over South America and the Pacific, respectively. The sun now has three labeled active regions on the Earth-facing solar disk, in contrast to just two yesterday.

Sun activity for November 18, 2023: A new active region appears

A new active region has begun to rotate into view on the Earth-facing side of the sun. It’s already brought sun activity up to moderate levels, thanks to an M1.2 flare. This as-yet-unnumbered region promises to kick things up a notch. Helioseismology also shows another region on the far side, not too far behind. Currently, the sun has two labeled active regions. That should soon change. But wait, there’s more! Filaments – lots of filaments – cover the sun, and two have lifted off. The first is from the northeast limb (edge) near the north pole. This produced a nice prominence and sent a coronal mass ejection (CME) headed northward, probably away from Earth. The second eruption is a bit more subtle but still visible. This was a filament on the disk, just to the east of region AR3489. This may have a somewhat Earthward component, but that is not clear at the moment. The new region along with AR3489 and AR3486 have all been prolific jet producers. We also have a CME on the way to look forward to on November 19. It brings the possibility of auroras, so stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with the production of an isolated M1.2 flare at 5:42 UTC on November 18, 2023. This is from the new, as-yet-unnumbered region on the northeast limb. This M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout, which affected an area over the South Indian Ocean off the west coast of Australia. This makes a total of seven flares (including six Cs) between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The new region on the northeast produced five of today’s seven flares. The sun has two labeled active regions on its Earth facing side. One of these is a newcomer on the southeast limb (edge), AR3489.

 

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Sun activity for November 17, 2023: Here comes a blast from the sun

Yesterday, a filament – a rope of solar material and magnetic fields – erupted, firing plasma into space as a coronal mass ejection (CME). And now, analysis from NOAA space weather forecasters has found that this partial halo CME was in the sun-Earth line – in other words, this bubble of superheated plasma is on a course for Earth. The estimated time of arrival is late November 19, and space weather forecasters are predicting a possible G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm as a result of its impact. That could mean auroras! Get ready, aurora watchers.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with just four C flares and one B observed between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest flare was a C4.9 at 20:22 UTC on November 16. It came from an active region in the southeast that has not yet been labeled. This unnumbered sunspot was the only flare producer of the period. The sun has two labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side – one of the lowest sunspot numbers of the year. However, the lack of sunspots and flares hasn’t stopped the filament fun. Enjoy today’s imagery of a filament channel activation (an active flow of plasma along a filament), which followed an S-shaped path between two active regions. And at the north pole, a stable filament danced as a prominence off the solar limb (edge).

?? ? Sun activity for Nov 17, 2023: Here comes the sun or at least a piece of it. Yesterday’s CME should bring geomagnetic storms Nov 19. Filaments activate as a prominence dances over the North Pole.

? ? More at EarthSky: https://t.co/xD29wLfm4e #sunfun pic.twitter.com/7DVGH1hRKL

— Dr. C. Alex Young (@TheSunToday) November 17, 2023

Sun activity for November 16, 2023: Far side action could head our way

A huge filament eruption formed a beautiful prominence this morning – see the rope of solar material and magnetic fields soar out over the southwest limb (edge) in the animation above. And at 8 UTC yesterday, the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C3 instrument observed a huge partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) erupting from the north. In both cases, the lack of an associated event on the Earth-facing side of the sun means that they must have come from its far side. This is supported by the observations of helioseismologists, who have measured sound waves emitted from inside the sun to detect large sunspots on sun’s reverse. As the sun is constantly rotating, these regions should be coming into view from Earth over the next four or five days. Stay tuned to see if they survive the trip and bring the party to our side!
Last 24 hours: Although you might not think it looking around the solar horizon, sun activity is back to low. We observed only 11 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest flare was a C7.7, fired at 12:12 UTC on November 15 by sunspot group AR3485, one of yesterday’s top flare producers. The top producer today is AR3484, which fired four flares. The sun currently has three numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for November 15, 2023: Big flare day

Whoa! A big increase in flaring! The sun produced 29 flares over the past 24 hours, in contrast to to 19 the day before. It’s a sizable jump, especially considering that last week’s sun averaged just 5 flares a day. Elsewhere on the sun, one of the prominences (ropes of solar material and magnetic fields) that we saw yesterday on the sun’s southwest limb (edge) lifted off into space as a billion-ton blob of plasma. This coronal mass ejection (CME) is heading away from Earth. But another CME is on its way toward us. That earlier CME left the sun on November 10 and is expected to give Earth a glancing blow later today. This could cause auroras, so keep an eye out.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is now considered moderate (in contrast to yesterday’s low), not because of the number of flares, but because one of them was an M1.1 flare. The M came from yesterday’s plasma jet producer, AR3485. It blasted off the sun at 23:05 UTC on November 14. And it caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over French Polynesia. So the sun produced 29 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, up from 19 the previous day. All were C flares, apart from the M1.1. The lead flare producer mantle is today shared by three active regions: AR3485, AR3483 and AR3477. The sun currently has five numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side, including new sunspot group AR3488, which emerged on the northeast limb (edge).

Sun activity for November 14, 2023. See a solar jet blast sun-stuff into space

Today’s top news: Over the past day, we saw beautiful active filaments all over the Earth-facing sun. And early this morning, we saw the solar jet in the image above, extending from the sun’s outer atmosphere. This jet isn’t made of ordinary matter. It’s a collimated, beam-like ejection of what’s called plasma, a 4th state of matter, consisting of elementary particles and magnetic fields from our blazingly hot star. It’s this solar plasma that interacts with the larger environment of our solar system to give us space weather, and ultimately auroras. Sunspot group AR3485 produced this solar jet. This sunspot region is now getting closer to the sun’s southwestern limb (edge). Soon, it’ll rotate out of sight. So enjoy its activity while you can. By the way, thanks to everyone who shared aurora photos at EarthSky Community Photos this week. Auroral activity has been grand for some days now. Earth’s magnetic field is quiet now, but don’t put your cameras away just yet, as more auroras might be visible tomorrow. Read more below.
Last 24 hours: The sun produced 19 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, an increase from 12 flares in the previous 24-hour period. All 19 were C class flares. So activity is currently considered low. The largest event was a C2.9 flare from sunspot region AR3477 in the southwest. It was produced at 20:50 UTC on November 13. The lead flare producer was AR3485 with eight Cs, closely followed by active region AR3484 with seven. The sun currently has five numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side. A new sunspot group, AR3487, emerged in the southwest.

Sun activity for November 13, 2023. Auroras last night, and a photobomb

Earth’s moon just photobombed our cameras aimed at the sun. Our natural satellite moved across the sun from the perspective of the NOAA GOES spacecraft, which captured the photobomb via its SUVI extreme ultraviolet telescope. See the image below. Meanwhile, the great burp of solar material that gave Earth a glancing blow yesterday – called a coronal mass ejection (CME) – was still enough to set off a fine aurora night last night across Earth’s higher latitudes. We might see some more today from lingering CME effects and from high speed solar wind that originated from a coronal hole. Either way, aurora-watchers, stay tuned to the sky!
Last 24 hours: In terms of flaring, sun activity is low. The sun produced 12 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C2.2 from active region AR3484 at 01:40 UTC on November 13. AR3484 remained the most active region with 9 flares including the C2.2 flare. The sun currently has four numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for November 12, 2023, is moderate. Aurora alert!

Today’s top news: Sun activity has kicked up to moderate, thanks to an M1.2 flare from AR3477. And activity at Earth has picked up, due to the expected arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME) earlier today (around 6 UTC today on November 12). A glancing blow by this CME has energized Earth’s magnetic field to active levels with the possibility of G1 through G3 (minor to strong) storming today. And that means auroras! Clear skies and good luck to all aurora-watchers. Please share your photos in our community page. Stay tuned for more updates.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. The sun produced 21 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was an M1.2 from active region AR3477 at 17:01 UTC on November 11. AR3477 remained the most active region with 7 flares including the M flare. The sun currently has six numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity November 11, 2023: Flares are increasing. CME arrives tonight

Flare production increased over the last 24 hours, with up to 20 C flares in the past day. All the action is on the western portion of the sun, in both the north and south quadrants. In particular, the northwestern region produced a fiery filament explosion in the vicinity of sunspot AR3481. It occurred at 7 UTC on November 11, 2023. The blast sent ejecta into space. Shortly before, active region AR3483 – also in the northwest – exploded the largest flare of the day, a C7.2 flare at 3:59 UTC. Turning our eyes back to Earth, we expect a CME arrival and possible auroras late today into early Sunday. It comes after the full halo event yesterday that hurled a giant burp of solar material into space. G1-G2 (minor-moderate) geomagnetic storming is expected. So there’s more excitement coming. Aurora watchers, we’re wishing clear skies for you! Share your beautiful photos with us.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is still considered low. But production has increased significantly during the past day. The sun produced 20 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today; a big increase compared to the approximately five flares a day it has been blasting out in recent days. The largest was a C7.2 flare blasted by active region AR3483 at 3:59 UTC on November 11. This increase in flaring activity is thanks to AR3477 in the southwest, which produced 11 C flares, followed by AR3483, which blasted seven Cs, including the largest of the day. The sun currently has five numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side. They’re all located in the west hemisphere, north and south. There is a newcomer today, now named AR3485, in the southwest solar quadrant.

Sun activity November 10, 2023: CME coming straight to us!

After Sunday night’s fabulous auroral display – and with solar max on the horizon (due mid-decade), we’re all wondering, when will we next see auroras? And the answer might be … soon. A coronal mass ejection (CME) is on its way to Earth! Yesterday at 11:15 UTC we saw the explosion of a solar filament (a long rope of magnetic fields and solar material). The eruption blasted some of the material into space as a coronal mass ejection (CME), a great burp of solar material to space. Since the CME was fired directly towards Earth, the SOHO spacecraft saw a ring of solar material that seemed to expand out from the sun – a phenomenon known as a full halo event. Check out the imagery above! Specialists estimate the CME will reach Earth by tomorrow afternoon, likely bringing G1 (minor) or G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms. Get ready for more auroras!
Last 24 hours: Despite the CME excitement, sun activity is still low. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced five C flares and two B flares – an increase of one B flare from yesterday’s levels. The CME-producing filament eruption occurred in the vicinity of sunspot AR3480, and has been associated with a C2.6 flare from this active region. Fired at 11:18 UTC on November 9, this was the largest flare of the past day. With two total flares, this region shares today’s lead flare producer title with AR3479. The sun currently has seven numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side. AR3483 has lost its beta-gamma magnetic complexity, bringing it in line with the rest of the visible sunspots, which all have simpler beta configurations.

Sun activity November 9, 2023: Dancing prominences, plus jets and filaments

Although sun activity is classed as low, we’ve been seeing faint flares and jets all around the solar disk over the past day, as well as a long-lasting prominence on the north pole. It’s been dancing mesmerizingly all day long right on the horizon – we’ve found it hard to stop watching! Elsewhere, sunspot region AR3483 has been growing since its arrival yesterday, and has kept up its explosive activity. It has now developed a beta-gamma magnetic complexity, meaning that it has good potential to produce intense solar flares. And it’s the only sunspot that has this configuration currently; the rest of the labeled regions have much simpler beta or even alpha configurations.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low, and flaring production has dropped since yesterday. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced five C flares and one B flare. The largest was a C4.2 by active region AR3483, fired at 20:13 UTC on November 8. This region was actually the only flare producer of the period, blasting all six flares. AR3477 remains the largest sunspot, but kept relatively quiet. The sun today has six numbered active regions on its Earth-viewed side. One is a newcomer: AR3484 on the southwest quadrant.

Sun activity November 8, 2023: After the storm, a calm…but wait!

After the geomagnetic storms and beautiful auroral displays of the past few days, the sun seems to be having a moment of calm. But wait! A violent eruption occurred just at the time of this writing! The event produced a beautiful prominence on the northwest limb (edge). The event was in the vicinity of sunspot group AR3479, which has been particularly explosive today. The eruption fired solar material into space as a coronal mass ejection (CME), but AR3479’s position on the sun means that the CME doesn’t seem to heading toward Earth. Nevertheless, we’ll wait and see what the specialists conclude from their modeling.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low today, but flaring production has increased. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced 16 C flares. Sunspot group AR3479, blasted at around  7 UTC on November  8 an explosion that produced a gorgeous prominence in the northwest. The largest flare of the past day was a  C6.9 flare by AR3483 who was also the lead flare producer of the period, firing ten of the day’s 16 C flares. The blast occurred at at 8:48 UTC on November 8. Sunspot AR3480 has lost its gamma configuration, lowering its potential for big flares, while AR3477 continues to be the largest sunspot. Currently the sun bears five labeled active regions, all of which are stable or in decay. There is a newcomer located at the very center of the solar disc, labeled AR3483. Also, the large coronal hole we’ve been monitoring is now moving out of its geoeffective position, meaning we will stop receiving the fast solar wind that helped cause the recent auroras.

Sun activity November 7, 2023: What a week for auroras. More coming?

After the beautiful auroral displays of Sunday night, last night was calmer. But Earth’s magnetic field remains stormy. Another threshold for yet more G1 (minor) geomagnetic storming was observed at 2:30 UTC this morning. This big week for auroras has been the result of several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) – great blobs of material from the sun – striking Earth on November 5. The CMEs combined with incoming fast solar wind from a coronal hole to add up to auroras! Thank you for your beautiful photos. Keep ’em coming! Submit to EarthSky Community Photos here.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low today, but a gorgeous prominence formed an arch on the northeast limb (edge) at around 14 UTC yesterday. Plasma can be seen forming an almost closed loop before dissipating as the ejecta returned back to the sun. Eight C flares were produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the largest being a C3.6 flare from sunspot region AR3474 at 14:02 UTC on November 6. The leading flare producer was AR3472, which produced three of the eight flares. The sun currently has five numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity November 6, 2023: Aurora, Aurora, Aurora!

What a night Sunday night was for auroras! Thanks to 24+ hours of geomagnetic storms, those at high and even mid-latitudes were witness to some amazing auroral displays. We are sharing a bunch of Twitter (X) posts below. But this is just a small sampling. The storming came about thanks to multiple coronal mass ejection (CME) impacts over the past two days. There were at least two impacts, and possibly three or more. None of these were particularly spectacular individually (though one is super interesting, because it was due to a filament eruption). But, combined, they’ve really gotten Earth’s magnetic field worked up! So much so that we reached G3 (strong) storming levels late yesterday (November 5). And the storming isn’t over yet. But it should start to settled down a little over today as the CMEs’ influence wanes. But CMEs aren’t the only influence on Earth’s magnetic field. A coronal hole on the sun is also sending its fast solar wind our way. That’s why we expect geomagnetic storming levels – and subsequent auroral displays – to stay active over the next couple of days.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity has picked up to moderate levels thanks to two small brief (impulsive) M flares from AR3480. Overall, the sun produced two M flares and 15 C flares from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today. The largest was an M1.8 flare from AR3480 at 11:34 UTC on November 5, 2023. The other M flare was an M1.7 from AR3480 at 14:24 UTC on November 5. Both events produced an R1 radio blackout over the sun-facing area of Earth. AR3480 produced eight of the 15 flares including the two M flares. The sun has seven numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for November 5, 2023: The CME is here

Today’s top news: Yesterday we said the coronal mass ejection (CME) from the filament eruption on November 3 might reach Earth today. And so it has. A CME is an enormous bubble of superheated gas – called plasma – ejected from the sun. CMEs can leave the sun every day when the sun is most active (and we’re near the peak of Solar Cycle 25 now). But the CMEs aren’t always aimed Earth’s way. This one was, though. Our instruments recorded its arrival in the form of a sudden change in the geomagnetic field – what solar physicists call a sudden jerk or impulse – at 9:05 UTC November 5. We can see this in the solar wind data as a sudden increase in magnetic field, solar wind speed and solar wind density (see the chart below). It’s basically the front part of the CME slamming into the planet. Earth’s magnetic field has reached G1 (minor) storming levels. G2 (moderate) and possibly G3 (strong) levels are expected to follow. This is great for aurora watchers! If you’re at a high latitude – maybe northwestern Canada or Alaska – and it’s still before sunrise on November 5 as you read this, you might start your day with a great show in the sky!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. During the past day (between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today), the sun produced three C flares. The largest was a C1.8 flare from sunspot AR3472 at 13:46 UTC on November 4, 2023. The sun has seven numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for November 4, 2023, The 20th anniversary of the largest solar flare

Today is the 20th anniversary of the largest solar flare of the space age. Between October 19 and November 5, 2003 – during the waning part of sunspot Cycle 23 – a set of three surprisingly large sunspot regions emerged on the Earth-facing disk. They came into view after a period of relative calm on the sun. These massive, magnetically complex regions were the source of some of the largest space weather events ever seen. Sun-watchers called them the Halloween Storms. They produced mighty X flares, including X10 and X17 flares (10 and 17 times an X1 flare). One flare – on October 28 – produced an extremely fast coronal mass ejection (CME) originating from the center of the sun’s disk. It produced a huge geomagnetic storm – on par with the famous Carrington Event – which did have impacts across Earth’s globe, for example, disruption to radio communications, air traffic control and power grids. But the big event of the Halloween Storms of 2003 was yet to come. It was the largest flare of the period – even larger than the Carrington Event flare must have been – coming at around 19 UTC on November 4. The solar flare was off the charts! Scientists could only estimate its strength: from X28 to X45, with an average estimate of about X40. It was the largest solar flare ever observed directly. Fortunately, it came from one of the large sunspot regions just over the sun’s western (receding) limb or edge. So we dodged a bullet!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low. During the past day (between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today), the sun only produced four C flares. The largest was a C3.5 flare exploded by sunspot AR3480 in the southeast at 22:38 UTC on November 3, 2023. Currently the sun is showing seven numbered active regions on its Earth-viewed side. The newcomer of the day is AR3480 on the southeast limb (edge). By the way, yesterday’s huge filament explosion produced a partial halo event. Specialists are conducting an analysis of the coronal mass ejection (CME) to determine if there is an Earth-directed component. Stay tuned, aurora-watchers.

Sun activity for November 3, 2023, huge filament eruption and more M flares

A huge filament eruption occurred in the northwest at around 4:20 UTC on November 3. This rope of solar material and magnetic fields erupted in connection with a C1.4 flare from AR3473. While some of the plasma returned back to the sun, some was launched into space. As much of the filament is located in a geoeffective position, the solar material that was fired into space may be heading our way as a coronal mass ejection (CME). We’ll let you know when the specialists have completed modeling and analysis. With another filament explosion occurring farther north and two M flares being blasted elsewhere on the solar disk, it’s safe to say that solar action is back!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains moderate after the production of two M flares. The sun produced 12 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: two Ms and 10 C flares. The largest event, an M1.7 flare, came from active region AR3474 at 12:22 UTC, November 2. The second, an M1.1, was produced later that day at 19:21 UTC by the incoming active region on southeast limb (edge), which was also producing C flares, jets, and prominences all day. Each M flare produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout. The first affected an area over the South Atlantic Ocean, while the second occurred over Pitcairn Islands off the west coast of South America. The lead flare producer of the day was the as-yet-unnumbered region with six flares: one M and five Cs. Currently the sun has seven numbered active regions on its Earth-viewed side, including newcomer AR3479.

Sun activity for November 2, 2023, incoming region keeps flaring

An M1.4 flare from an incoming region on the southeast limb (edge) has kept sun activity at moderate. This region produced some of the action we’ve been observing over the past few days from beyond the east solar horizon. Another of the new eastern sunspot regions, AR3477, was less productive today, but AR3474 showed growth. It is now the largest region and the only one showing a beta-gamma configuration, meaning it holds the potential for more Cs and M flares. The rest of the active regions show lower-potential alpha or beta magnetic configurations.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate after an isolated M1.4 flare. The sun produced a total of ten flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: nine Cs plus the M flare. The largest event, the M1.4 flare, was produced by an incoming region in the southeast at 12:26 UTC on November 1. This as-yet-unnumbered sunspot group was the leading flare producer of the period, with six out of the day’s ten flares. The runner-up was sunspot AR3472 with three C flares. The M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout that affected an area over the South Atlantic Ocean. The sun currently has six labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side, including a newcomer on the northeast limb (edge) labeled AR3478. There is also a new coronal hole on the southeast solar quadrant. It’s big enough to nearly cross the equator, and could be the next important source of fast solar wind heading our way and disturbing our geomagnetic field.

Sun activity for November 1, 2023: M flare and huge prominence eruption!

Sun activity is finally picking up! We observed an M flare and associated eruption from new region AR3477 on the eastern limb (edge). And it’s likely that the explosion was actually larger than an M1.2, because, since the event occurred over the horizon, the sun itself will have blocked much of the flare’s light. While AR3477 was doing its magic, a huge filament in the southeast erupted in a southward direction. The event is under analysis by space weather forecasters to determine if the associated coronal mass ejection (CME) might reach Earth. Initial observations indicated that it should miss us, but we will have to wait for further results. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with an M flare and twelve C flares during the past day. For the first time in weeks, overall activity is on the rise thanks largely to new region AR3477. AR3477 produced most of the day’s events, firing off eight C flares and the one M flare. The largest event was the M1.2 flare, produced at 6:07 UTC on November 1. Shortly after the blast, an R1 (minor) radio blackout was observed affecting an area over the South Indian Ocean. The sun currently has five labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side.

The post Sun activity archive for November 2023 first appeared on EarthSky.

Sunspot group AR3474 has grown over the past several days and is now larger than Earth, sitting near the solar disk’s center. This is a great location to throw coronal mass ejections (CMEs) our way, which could then bring geomagnetic storms and auroras! The region showed an increase in flaring after developing a small delta region (meaning it has the potential to produce powerful flares), although it has since lost this region and returned to a minor magnetic complexity. AR3474 is one of just three regions currently on the solar disk, but there may be another one in view soon. A region continues to shoot out jets of plasma just over the eastern limb (edge), so the sun’s rotation should soon bring it onto the Earth-viewed side of our star.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with six C flares during the past day. AR3473 and AR3474 produced all the flares, with AR3474 producing the most. The largest event was a C5.7 flare from AR3474 at 00:10 UTC on October 31. We also observed a nice plasma jet in the west, and at the north pole a huge prominence lifted away from the solar surface and headed northward.

Sun activity for October 30, 2023: AR3474 flaring and new backside region

While still low, sun activity has increased closer to the M flare level. Sunspot region AR3474 developed a small delta region, a sign of the potential for intense flares. This is in line with the overall increase in activity from the region. AR3474 produced all the flares of the past day. And, along with its increase in magnetic complexity, AR3474 has grown in size. Meanwhile, sunspot region AR3473 has also had a slight increase in size and complexity, but not to the level of AR3474. We are seeing jets from just around the sun’s eastern limb just south of the equator. Looking at backside images – using helioseismology – the source region is visible and should be rotating into view in about one to two days. Overall, the increase with AR3474 and this new region might bode well for increasing flaring, bringing the overall lull in activity in recent days to and end. Stay tuned to see if we have some M flares or beyond.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with only C and B flares during the past day. AR3474 was the sole flare producer. We observed four C flares and one B-class flare. The largest event was a C7.9 flare (from AR3474) at 13 UTC on October 29. The sun has four Earth-facing regions.

Sun activity for October 29, 2023: Solar wind here, G1 storming and auroras

Aurora alert! The expected fast solar wind from the coronal hole we’ve been watching is here. And that means auroras are here, too. Earth’s magnetic field reached G1 (minor) storm levels overnight, and that level of activity is expected to continue throughout the day today. As more of the fast solar wind reaches us, the storming should continue and perhaps increase to G2 (moderate) levels. This would mean more exciting auroral displays. Some examples have begun to be shared on social media. See the image below. Clear skies and good luck to all aurora watchers!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to a low-level flaring activity, with only C and B flares during the past day. We observed five C flares and two B-class flares during the period. The largest event was a C2.6 flare from AR3473 at 9:47 UTC on October 29. AR3473 was the lead flare producer. It produced seven of the day’s flares. In addition to the coronal hole and these small flares, the sun is covered with filaments. Perhaps some of these will erupt. The sun has four Earth-facing regions.

Sun activity for October 28, 2023: Prominences, filaments, and a big coronal hole

Sun activity is back to a low level with only C and B flares. Our attention is now focused on prominences, filaments, and a big coronal hole. A prominence at the south pole is entertaining us with its magnetic dance. The filaments around the area that produced yesterday’s M1.4 flare are active. There is some low level flaring and potential for more spectacular eruptions similar to yesterday’s. Lastly, the transequatorial coronal hole, which formed from two coronal holes merging, has sent its fast solar wind our way down the sun-Earth magnetic highway. The stream is expected to reach us on October 30, 2023, bringing the possibility of G1 (minor) and maybe even G2 (moderate) level storms. And that means a chance for some great auroral displays at higher latitudes. Good luck, aurora chasers!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with the production of only C and B flares during the past day. We observed four C flares and two B-class flares during the period. The largest event was a C1.7 flare from AR3473 at 6:26 UTC on October 28. AR3473 was the lead flare producer. It produced four of the day’s flares. AR3474 is a newly numbered region. The sun has four Earth-facing regions. The now transequatorial coronal hole near the solar disk’s center continues moving into a geoeffective position. This means that the fast solar wind released by the hole should be reaching Earth in the next couple of days. We are expecting some possible G1 (minor) geomagnetic storming with a chance for G2 (moderate) storming by October 30.

Sun activity for October 27, 2023: M flare! Activity kicks up a notch

After a lull lasting weeks, sun activity has now risen to moderate! This rise came after a large filament – a rope of solar material and magnetic fields – curled over the sun’s eastern limb (edge) and lifted off the sun in a beautiful eruption. As the plasma rose up into the solar atmosphere, it pulled the magnetic fields with it. These fields then snapped back, releasing a huge amount of energy in the form of a long-duration M1.4 solar flare. This fantastic eruption released a coronal mass ejection (CME) which sped off to the east of the sun (away from Earth). Does this mark the end of the recent lull in solar activity? We can only hope!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. The sun produced nine flares during the past day: eight C flares and one M-class flare. The largest event was an M1.4 flare from AR3473 at 22:47 UTC on October 26. We have two newly numbered regions, AR3472 and AR3473, for a total of four regions facing Earth. The two large coronal holes near the solar disk’s center have merged into one large coronal hole spanning across the solar equator, which is now moving close to a geoeffective position. This means that the fast solar wind released by the hole should be reaching Earth in about three days. So we are expecting some possible G1 (minor) geomagnetic storming by October 30.

Sun activity for October 26, 2023 is rising. A prominence dances at the pole

Sun activity is still low. But the slight increase in activity continues. It seems the sun has taken a few days off, on its way to maximum in this Solar Cycle 25. October could be the low point in flaring for this year. Meanwhile, during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), we saw an active prominence dancing at the sun’s north pole. It was a lovely distraction in an otherwise calm day. The two large coronal holes we’ve been watching will soon move into a geoeffective position, where they will be capable of sending their fast solar wind Earth’s way, hopefully causing some auroral action. And here’s something fun! Mars has just entered in the field of view of the LASCO C3 imager – on the SOHO spacecraft – as Mercury is moving out. Mars and Mercury will have a conjunction in the next coming days, as seen by SOHO’s coronagraphs. Stay with us.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. The sun produced 13 flares during the past day: eight C and five B-class flares. The largest event was a C3.0 flare from an unlabeled region (near AR3471) in the southwest at 22:44 UTC on October 25. This unnumbered region near AR3471 was the most active with five flares. The sun currently has two simple active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for October 25, 2023. New regions ending the solar lull?

The end of the recent solar lull could be in sight! We’ve observed large coronal loops on the sun’s eastern limb (edge), as well as many small flares – twelve of today’s fourteen flares came from the solar horizon. That means that some new sunspot regions could be waiting to rotate into view. And looking at the far side of the sun using helioseismology, we can see several potential regions of interest. So is the lull ending? Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, up from very low yesterday. The activity level has increased thanks to activity on the sun’s limb (edge) from unlabeled regions in the north and southeast. The sun produced fourteen flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today): ten C and four B-class flares. The largest event was a C4.2 from an unlabeled sunspot region on the northeast at 23:59 UTC on October 24. The sun currently has three simple active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for October 24, 2023. Prominences all around

The sun is still in its eerie lull. Over the past few days, it’s reached one of its least active points observed in the past year. The sun fired off only two flares in the past day. Yet we know the sun is marching on toward the peak in its 11-year solar cycle, due in the mid-2020s. There are signs of an active sun in the form of prominences – great ropes of solar material and magnetic fields – arcing up from around the solar limb (edge) in the past day. The third small prominence we reported on yesterday expanded to become a massive rope hanging off the sun. And the first two of yesterday’s prominences have fired out solar material in beautiful coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which were captured by the instruments aboard the SOHO spacecraft (see the imagery below). Neither CME was directed towards Earth.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is very low. The sun produced just two flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today): one C and one B-class flare. The largest event was a C2.3 from an unnumbered active region on the southwest at 19:58 UTC on October 23. The sun currently has only three simple active regions on its Earth-facing side. A pair of new coronal holes on the northeast will soon be located in a geoeffective position. Then, the fast solar wind they produce will be heading towards Earth’s magnetic field, providing opportunities for auroral displays by the end of this week.

Sun activity for October 23, 2023. Three prominences a charm

We have an even quieter day on the sun than yesterday. Almost no flares and tiny boring sunspots. But wait there’s more! Prominences. Count them, not one or two but three rising off the sun in succession. The first one is noticeable around 21:00 UTC on October 22 off the northern limb (edge). Then look to the south at 23:28 UTC. These two are huge and quickly extend well beyond the large field-of-view of the GOES-16 SUVI instrument’s 304 angstrom wavelength channel. Then lastly a much smaller and narrowing prominence lifts off the western limb starting around 9:28 UTC on October 23. What a show. Those first two prominences extend of almost the diameter of the sun before disconnecting into space. That is an astonishing 865,000 miles or 1.4 million km. Even the little one at the end is more than 100,000 km long or about eight Earth’s before it has finished rising away from the solar surface. Those are some huge pieces of solar plasma. Thanks to the GOES SUVI instrument we are able to capture a good portion of these behemoths. We have also used a negative image combined with an SDO 171 angstrom wavelength image to better see the structures. Activity from the coronal mass ejection glancing blow at Earth has subsided though we may see some pick up due to high-speed solar wind from a coronal hole over the next day. Stay tuned as we wait to see when the flaring and Earth-directed eruptions will pick up.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is very low. It is another quiet day at the sun. During the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), the sun produced one C and one B class flare. Also, the probability of a C flare dropped to a new low of only 25%. That is a serious flare snooze fest. The largest flare was a C1.5 flare from active region AR3468 in the northwest at 6:58 UTC on October 23. The sun currently has four simple active regions on its Earth-facing side. Helioseismology is showing two possible new regions but they are 4 days away and nothing to write home about.

Sun activity for October 22, 2023. Time for a cap nap

Looking at today’s sun, you wouldn’t think solar maximum is so near at hand. But it is; it’s due in the mid-2020s. Over the past day, we saw only three flares, four small active regions, and no filament eruptions on the Earth-facing side. And yet – if you look more closely at the sun – the signs of its impending maximum are there. Observing the sun in white light, magnetic field, 304 angstroms and 171 angstrom wavelengths (see the image above), the active sun is more apparent. Notice: even though the sunspot regions are small, there are multiple regions. And: looking at the sun’s magnetic field, we see a lot of concentrated magnetic field activity. Finally: looking at the 304- and 171-angstrom wavelength channels, these areas of concentrated magnetic fields show up as bright patches. We can see giant loops on the east and west limbs (edges) in the 171-angstrom wavelength bands. The true quiet sun would not have these features. So we know the current calm is a calm before a storm. Activity will pick up. The climb toward solar maximum will continue!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low to very low. During the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), the sun produced one C and two B class flares. The largest was a C1.5 flare from active region AR3464 in the northwest at 12:02 UTC on October 21. This active region produced the three flares. The sun currently has five simple active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for October 21, 2023. Eruptions on sun, storming on Earth

The sun continues its relatively calm state, although there was a nice filament eruption on the northwest disk and a prominence liftoff from the southwest limb (edge), as shown in the image above. Meanwhile … exciting news! At the time of this writing, a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm is ongoing. It’s bringing auroras this morning to Earth’s higher latitudes, in areas like Montana and North Dakota in the U.S. The threshold for the storm was reached at 8 UTC on October 21, 2023. Earth’s geomagnetic field is reported as disturbed in Ny-Ålesund and Tromsø in Norway. These are the effects of the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurled by the sun on October 17 and 18. The geomagnetic storming might continue for the rest of today, sparking auroras at high latitudes around the globe. Alert for aurora chasers! Get your cameras out, capture your beautiful photos, and, if you will, please share them with the EarthSky Community!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low to very low. In fact, NOAA has issued a notice for low-level sun activity over the next couple of days. During the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), the sun produced three C and seven B class flares. The largest was a C2.8 flare from active region AR3467 in the northwest at 0:30 UTC on October 21. This active region was the main flare producer of the day with two Cs and two Bs. The sun currently has four simple active regions on its Earth-facing side. The newcomer that emerged in the northwest is labeled AR3469.

Sun activity for October 20, 2023. A fast filament eruption

We saw a big filament erupt in the southeast yesterday. It occurred near active region AR3468 at around 17:48 UTC. The prominence didn’t stay around long, but it provided a great show. Even with just 3 active regions currently on the Earth-viewed side of the sun, our star never seems to stop providing excitement!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is at low to very low levels, producing only C and B class flares. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today we observed 12 flares: seven Cs and six Bs. The largest was a C2.7 flare by an unnumbered region in the northwest at 14:00 UTC on October 19. This active region has been sending ejecta into space with small flares, and is today’s lead flare producer with 6 of the 12 total flares. The sun currently has just 3 active regions on its Earth-viewed side.

Sun activity for October 19, 2023. A beautiful lightbulb-shaped CME

We saw a beautiful filament eruption from the sun’s far side that occurred at 2:48 UTC on October 18, 2023. It happened off the sun’s northwest limb (edge). This was a classic lightbulb-shaped coronal mass ejection (CME), an explosion of solar material and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere. The LASCO C2 and C3 coronographs on the SOHO spacecraft picked it up. We see these iconic lightbulb shapes only from a particular vantage point in space (in this case, from SOHO). The CME expands out with a curved front. And – at its heart – we see a bright core, really, the explosion itself at its most intense, mimicking the lightbulb’s bright filament. If this CME had been Earth-directed, it might have produced some interesting effects at Earth. But it wasn’t Earth-directed (far side explosion, remember?). Still … lots of fun to see!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains at low, almost very low levels. Region AR3460 has decayed now. So, between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw only three, very simple active regions on the visible face of the sun. There were four C flares and two B flares. The largest flare was a C1.7 at 10 UTC on October 19 from region AR3462 on the northwest.

Sun activity for October 18, 2023. Double prominence action

We saw some double prominence action today. A large filament lifted off from the eastern limb (edge), creating a great prominence that rose to a height of more than 350,000 km before lifting off into space. At approximately the same time, a much smaller prominence (around 90,000 km above the solar surface) danced on the western limb, although this structure stayed tied to the sun.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains at low levels. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, four C flares and eight B flares were produced. The largest flare was a C1.6, fired at 2:12 UTC on October 18 from an unnumbered active region on the northwest limb (edge). The lead flare producer honors go to AR3460, which produced four flares. Sunspot AR3465 is the largest on the solar face. It can be seen from the ground without any magnification, as long as you use the proper eye protection – wear eclipse or solar viewing glasses all the time you watch the sun. The sun currently has only three labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side. There is a new coronal hole in the northeast quadrant.

Sun activity for October 17, 2023. Something interesting this way comes

Solar action is returning in the northeast. First, we saw a C7.5 flare from sunspot region AR3467 at 11:10 UTC on October 16. This flare was associated with a fast filament eruption. Later, a C9.9 flare was blasted at 16:06 UTC by an as-yet-unnumbered active region incoming on the northeast limb (edge). This C9.9 flare was actually almost certainly an M flare, since it occurred beyond the solar horizon and so was partially blocked by the sun. Will these two sunspots be the next showstopping active regions? We’ll keep watching. Switching our attention to the viewpoint of the SOHO spacecraft, the brilliant visitors Mercury and Spica are close to almost simultaneous conjunctions with the sun. Take a look at the imagery below; of the two bright spots drawing closer to the sun, bright star Spica is on the left and planet Mercury is on the right.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with only C flares produced during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest flare was a C9.9 fired on the northeast limb (edge) by an unnumbered incoming active region. The blast occurred at 16:06 UTC on October 16. The lead flare producer of the period was sunspot AR3463 with four flares. The sun currently has six labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side. There is a newcomer on the southeast now labeled AR3468.

Sun activity for October 16, 2023. Monday blues? Sun still on break

The fun eclipse weekend is over for most of us. But the sun is still taking a bit of a break. All of the current sunspot regions are small in size and magnetically simple. Sun activity remains low, with a trickle of solar flares. But don’t tell the filaments that. They remain active with a nice eruption off the sun’s southeast limb. Looking at SDO and GOES-16 SUVI 304-angstrom images side-by-side not only shows off the beautiful eruption, but is a great comparison and contrast of the capabilities of two space-based, sun-observing instruments. The SDO images provide more detail. But the SUVI images have a larger field-of-view, allowing us the see more of the eruption out into space. Great example of teamwork between complimentary spacecraft! Don’t forget to check out community eclipse pictures from Saturday. And stay tuned. Maybe this calm sun is a calm before a storm?
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with only five C flares. During the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), the largest flare was a C3.9 flare from active region AR3464 at 16:22 UTC on October 15, 2023. A new unnumbered region over the northeast limb (edge) was the most productive region with three of the five flares. The sun has six active labeled regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for October 15, 2023. Cool! Yesterday’s eclipse seen from space

Wow! What an exciting day yesterday was for the Americas! Most were able to experience at least some part of an annular solar eclipse. Even the GOES-16 spacecraft experienced a partial eclipse. Did you see the eclipse in the sky, or maybe online? Best photos here. Some of you might have seen small dark specs on the sun. Those were sunspots, probably AR3464 and/or AR3465. The regions are not large. But both have area close to that of Earth. You probably only saw them if you had solar binoculars or a telescope with a solar filter. You might also have seen them if you were using a projection method. If you saw them with your solar/eclipse glasses, then go you! You must have great vision. Don’t forget … you can use your solar/eclipse glasses to view the sun anytime. And, as we get closer to solar maximum in the mid-2020s, there will be more and larger sunspots. If you don’t have solar/eclipse glasses you can find them at the Earthsky store to use any day and to have for the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. Did you photograph the eclipse? If so, please consider sharing your photos on our community photo page. Today – one day after the eclipse – is a good day to relax … just like our star with its low sun activity. Happy sun day! Stay tuned for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with only four C flares. During the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), the largest flare was a C3.5 flare from active region AR3467 at 15:43 UTC on October 14, 2023. The region was the most productive region with three of the four flares. The sun has six active labeled regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for October 14, 2023. Eclipse day! A calm sun for the great event

Today is eclipse day! It seems the sun knows and took day the off to let the annular solar eclipse be the main event. No big activity happened during the past day, and the sun continues at low-level activity with C-class flares. Sunspots on the Earth-viewed side of the sun are either stable or in decay. Only active region AR3460 shows a beta-gamma complexity. The rest show a beta configuration or even an alpha. Read more about seeing sunspots during the eclipse here. All the spotlights are on the main act of the day: the great eclipse of October 14, 2023. Don’t miss it, and watch safely. If weather or location is stopping you from seeing the eclipse, watch EarthSky author and NASA solar physicist C. Alex Young today, live from San Antonio on the Weather Channel starting at 10 am Central (15 UTC)!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues at low levels, with only C flares and a low level of flares overall. During the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), we saw only 6 C flares. The largest was a C9.9 flare, nearly an M, by active region AR3460 on the southwest quadrant. It blasted out at 5:15 UTC on October 14. Honors for the top flare producer of the period goes to an incoming region, as yet unlabeled, currently on the northeast limb (edge). It exploded four flares out of the total. The sun today bears six active labeled regions on its Earth-viewed side.

The 2024 lunar calendars are here! Best Christmas gifts in the universe! Check ’em out here.

Sun activity for October 13, 2023. Yesterday’s must-see spectacular prominence

A long filament channel exploded early in the day yesterday (around 12 UTC on October 12, 2023). The blast produced a spectacular prominence, a long rope of solar material and magnetic fields extending from the sun’s visible surface. You can see in the animation below how the exploding filament follows a random path of magnetic structures all around the sun’s northwest quadrant. The blast also produced a slow-moving coronal mass ejection (CME). Specialists are still taking a deep look at it, to determine if there is a component aimed Earth’s way. By the way, don’t miss the October 14 solar eclipse! Here are some resources.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. No M flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). We did see 16 C flares, though. Honors for the largest flare of the period are shared between sunspots AR34564 and an incoming active region on the northeast, as yet unnumbered. Both blasted a C3 flare, the first at 12:32 UTC on October 12 and the second at 14:38 UTC on October 12. But the region that produced the most flares was, believe it or not, again departing region AR3451 with four flares. This active region seems to depart and depart and never leaves! From the sun’s edge, and beyond, it keeps flaring. AR3460 lost its delta configuration. The rest of the active regions remained stable or in decay. The sun currently has six labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for October 12, 2023. M1.1 flare from AR3451 keeps levels moderate

Departing region AR3451 gave us one last hurrah, an M1.1 flare at 4:58 UTC on October 12, 2023. It did not stop there but lead the day in flares. GOES-16 SUVI 304 captured the region’s flash on the northwest limb (edge). In the meantime, an enormous long lasting prominence awaited on the far side for AR3451’s arrival. Just before the M flare, region AR3460 produced an almost M flare, a C9.7. This occurred at 3:47 UTC on October 12, 2023. AR3460 showed some decay and lost its delta magnetic complexity. It did show a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration during the day but eventually started to decay. Elsewhere on the sun, as the large coronal hole we have been observing has moved to the southwest limb (edge), what looks like a new coronal hole is forming in the southeast quadrant.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with a last minute M1.1 flare from departing region AR3451 at 4:58 UTC on October 12, 2023. The sun produced 14 C flares, one of them by AR3460 was an almost M flare. This C9.7 came just before the M at 3:47 UTC. All this occurred during the past day, between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The M flare caused R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over Indonesia. The lead flare producer was departing region AR3451 with eight flares including the M flare. The sun currently has nine labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side. There is a newcomer region, AR3465.

Sun activity for October 11, 2023 is moderate, with an M flare from departing sunspot AR3451

Sun activity remains moderate, thanks to an isolated M2.3 flare from AR3451 at 12:17 UTC on October 10. The sunspot region fired the flare as it departed from view over the western horizon. It seems it was putting on a show for us, as now that it’s leaving it seems to have lost its delta region (a level of magnetic complexity that makes intense flares more likely). Region AR3460, however, has retained its delta region. On the solar south pole, we saw a gorgeous tornado-like prominence at around 2:30 UTC on October 11. Due to its position, the ejecta it hurled into space is not headed towards Earth. Check out the beautiful imagery below. Also, be sure to take a look at the glorious entrance of Mercury into the field of view of the SOHO spacecraft. It was synchronised beautifully with Spica – the brightest star in the constellation Virgo – arriving on the opposite side.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains moderate. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced 13 flares: 1 M and 12 Cs. The largest was an M2.3 flare from AR3451 at 12:17 UTC on October 10. The M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Atlantic off the west coast of Africa. The joint-lead flare producers of the past day were AR3451 and AR3464, with four C flares each. AR3464 is a newcomer in the solar neighborhood, having arrived on the southeast limb (edge). The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for October 10, 2023: Sunspots showing potential

After sunspot AR3451 gave us a C9.2 flare, almost crossing the M flare threshold, AR3452 finished the job. Its M1.2 flare, fired at 2:09 UTC this morning, raised activity to moderate. While AR3451 couldn’t quite get there this time, its beta-delta magnetic configuration means that it still has a good potential to produce M flares, and maybe even an X flare. And it’s not the only sunspot showing promise at the moment. The region we highlighted yesterday, AR3460, continues to evolve and grow, and is also showing signs of a delta region. Meanwhile, the current coronal hole has moved into a geoeffective position, meaning that its fast solar wind will be heading straight towards us. As it buffets Earth, it could cause geomagnetic disturbances and auroral displays. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with 1 M flare. Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today) the sun produced 15 flares. The largest event was an M1.6 from AR3452 at 2:09 UTC on October 10. The remaining flares were all C-class. The M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over Papua New Guinea. The lead flare producer of the past day was sunspot region AR3460. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions, including new region AR3463.

Sun activity for October 9, 2023: A sunspot region starting from nothing

Our little powerhouse region from yesterday – AR3460, which appeared magnetically simple, yet produced an M flare – hasn’t continued its moderate flare production. But now its magnetic complexity has changed from appearing very simple to showing some minor complexity (a beta-gamma configuration). As scientists have noted, magnetic complexity in sunspots is tied to increasing flare activity. So it’s worth watching this region emerge from nothing on the sun’s photosphere, to its current state, using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Check out our animation. Also notable today is AR3451, which has developed a delta region. Will its magnetic potential turn into some interesting activity? The region is nearly on the western limb (edge) of the sun. So if it is going to do something, today would be a good day for it. But, as always with the sun, we have to wait and see. The anticipation is part of the excitement! Looking at other parts of the sun, we see some good ole prominence action. Nothing too exciting, yet, but there are some stirrings on the western limb (edge) near the equator. In addition, the giant filament across the western solar disk is still there and an eruption waiting to happen. Stay tuned for any exciting updates today and the newest action tomorrow. Meanwhile, for you early risers, just before sunrise, don’t forget to look out for Venus and the moon on the morning of October 10. The star Regulus, in Leo, is also nearby. These early morning dance partners keep getting closer!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with lots of flares, but only minor flares, 23 C flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today). The largest event was C6.4 from AR3451 at 8:34 UTC on October 9, 2023. The largest flare producer was AR3451 with eight flares. The sun currently has nine labeled active regions.

Sun activity for October 8, 2023: The little region that could

We might have considered sun activity low today … if not for a little moxy shown by an otherwise uneventful sunspot region, AR3460. This small and magnetically simple region wouldn’t have been thought of as an M flare producer. But that’s exactly what was produced: an M1.8 flare at 17:57 UTC on October 7. The flare also had a small coronal dimming associated with it. That means a coronal mass ejection (CME) probably released. We do see one in coronagraph imagery that is probably from this event. Initial measurements indicate this does not have an Earth-directed component. Maybe all this excitement from the region means it could grow and have more bang for the buck. We will have to wait and see. Elsewhere, we still have a nice coronal hole near the central meridian and the giant filament stretching from near the north pole down to just over the equator. We call this a transequitorial filament. Stay tuned for more sun fun! That includes the upcoming annular – or “ring of fire” – solar eclipse. It’s due to cross the U.S. one week from today on October 14, 2023. Get ready for the eclipse by testing your safe solar viewing method – your eclipse glasses or solar binoculars or indirect viewing system – on the sun this week. You might see some sunspots move from day to day across the sun’s visible face. Isn’t the sun a cool star? We think so ?.

Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. This is due to a lone M1.8 flare from AR3460. This flare produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean and South America. The remaining 19 flares during the past day between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, were C flares. The lead flare producers were AR3451 and AR3460 with six and five flares respectively. Sunspot region AR3451 kept its beta-gamma magnetic complexities during the period. The more interesting item is that AR3460, which produced the M1.8 flare, only has a very simple alpha configuration. The sun currently has nine labeled active regions.

Sun activity for October 7, 2023: A fiery new active region is coming

An incoming active region on the sun’s northeast limb (edge) has introduced itself with several C flares, including an eruptive C4.2 flare. During the past day we saw the formation of a coronal hole on the southeast quadrant. The transequatorial filament we observed in past days persists and now extends to cross the northwest quadrant and reach into the southwest. Stay with us for more sun news. By the way, surely you’ve heard of the upcoming annular – or “ring of fire” – solar eclipse? It’s due to cross the U.S. one week from today on October 14, 2023? Get ready for the eclipse by testing your safe solar viewing method – your eclipse glasses or solar binoculars or indirect viewing system – on the sun this week. You might see some sunspots move from day to day across the sun’s visible face!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. There were only 11 C class flares during the past day between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest event was a C4.2 flare that occurred at 18:17 UTC, October 6, from the unnumbered active region now rotating into view on the sun’s northeast limb (edge). This region was the lead flare producer with 5 flares of the 11 flares. Sunspot regions AR3451 and AR3452 kept their beta-gamma magnetic complexities during the period. No other active region shows this level of complexity. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions.

Sun activity for October 6, 2023: Huge prominence, auroras on the way

Not to be outdone by yesterday’s beautiful eruption in the northeast, the northwest limb (edge) has struck back with a huge prominence. This has continued the ping-pong back and forth of spectacular activity from beyond the northwest and northeast horizons over the last three days. With low activity continuing on the Earth-viewed solar disk, it seems that the party is on the other side of the sun! A party will soon be arriving at Earth, though – get ready for auroral displays tomorrow! A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm is forecast with the arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME) fired from the sun on October 2. If this CME arrives early, the show may start tonight. Aurora chasers in northern latitudes, get ready!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with only 9 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest flare was a C4.7 at 19:13 UTC from sunspot region AR3451 on October 5. This region was the lead flare producer of the past day, producing 7 flares of the 9. We saw some activity in the southeast quadrant, where coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were hurled into space by an erupting filament. Sunspot regions AR3451 and AR3452 recovered their beta-gamma magnetic complexities. The rest of the active regions on the Earth-facing side of our sun show simple alpha or beta configurations. The sun currently has ten labeled active regions, including two newcomers: AR3458 and AR3459.

Sun activity for October 5, 2023: Northeastern prominence erupts into space

The prominence we pointed out yesterday on the northeast limb (edge) has erupted into space. Its slow, steady rise and release was captured by the NOAA GOES-16 spacecraft (see the animation above) and by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Although this event occurred just over the solar horizon, specialists have found that fast-moving solar material released in the eruption may catch up with a previously fired coronal mass ejection (CME) and join it on its way towards Earth. However, we are awaiting confirmation on this. There are in fact two CMEs currently on the way to us, released on October 2 and 3, and there is a chance they’ll give Earth a glancing blow between late tomorrow and October 7.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with just 4 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C3.8 from sunspot region AR3451 at 6:51 UTC, October 5. None of the current sunspot regions are showing any magnetic complexity at this time. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for October 4, 2023: Huge, beautiful prominence in the northwest

An amazing prominence adorned the sun’s northwest limb (edge) earlier today. The explosion of solar material started at around 0:28 UTC on October 4. It occurred beyond the solar horizon, so it may have come from an active region that just rotated out of view. Given its position, the coronal mass ejection (CME) is most likely not coming our way. We also saw fiery action on the northeast limb, where a long-lasting prominence danced all through this morning. At the time of this writing (11 UTC on October 4) it has started to break into what looks like a big eruption. We’ll let you know what transpires!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low, with the production of only C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. Of the 18 total flares, the largest was a C3.6 from sunspot region AR3450 at 17:03 UTC, October 3. This region is still showing a fairly complex beta-gamma configuration (the higher the complexity, the higher the chance for large flares) and is today’s lead producer with nine flares. The sun currently has seven labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side after yesterday’s newcomer AR3455 vanished completely.

Sun activity for October 3, 2023: An M1.9 flare raises activity to moderate

Sun activity is back to moderate with the production of an M1.9 flare by AR3455. It was an eruptive flare, which means it coincided with an eruption of solar material. We also saw an exploding filament in the southeast, which hurled a faint coronal mass ejection into space. Due to the location of the filament and the orientation of the ejecta, this could be on its way to Earth. We’ll let you know when we get confirmation from the specialists.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. The sun produced a total of thirteen flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was an eruptive M1.9 flare from sunspot group AR3455 at 12:46 UTC, October 2. The flare produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the South Pacific Ocean off the southwest coast of Africa. AR3451 lost its delta region, reducing its likelihood of large flares, while AR3450 is showing a fairly complex beta-gamma configuration. The long filament we saw yesterday on the northeast quadrant has now extended into the solar southern hemisphere, becoming a transequatorial filament. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side, including newcomer AR3455.

Sun activity for October 2, 2023: A quieter day on our star

After 24 hours of flashing flares the day before, the sun over the past day has exhibited low activity. We’ve seen only 14 flares in the last 24 hours, and all of them were C-class. That’s a step down from the previous day’s showing! Despite the decrease in sun activity, our star has sprouted several more sunspot regions with AR3452, AR3453, and AR3454. None of these regions have developed any magnetic complexity, yet. Now it’s another waiting game to see what surprises the sun may bring. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with only 14 C flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C4.5 flare from sunspot group AR3449 at 23 UTC on October 2. AR3451 kept its delta region, which provides indication of its continued potential for larger flares such as M or even X-class events. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for October 1, 2023: A flurry of flares from AR3451 and friends

The newcomer sunspot region we spoke about yesterday has now rotated fully into view and has received a label of AR3451. It’s been having fun with flares over the past day, releasing two M flares and 12 C flares! Its near companions – sunspot regions AR3445 and AR3450 – joined in the festivities, producing the remainder of the C flares over the past 24 hours. Looks like Solar Cycle 25 – whose maximum is expected in the mid-2020s – is on schedule. The magnetic complexity of AR3450 and AR3451 indicate the potential for additional moderate-to-high flaring. Now – as always – we wait. Will they meet expectations? Meanwhile, the two coronal holes on the sun’s disk might bring a small bit of auroral action here at Earth, from their high speed solar wind. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity rose to moderate levels, with two M flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was an M2.5 flare from sunspot group AR3451 at 1:10 UTC on October 1. The region also released an M1.1 at 16:16 UTC on September 30. Both events caused radio blackouts over East Asia/ Australia and the Americas, respectively. A total of 24 flares were produced in the past day, with 13 of the flares including the two M flares coming from the newcomer, AR3451. AR3450 and AR3451 have increased in magnetic complexity. AR3450 has a beta-gamma configuration and AR3451 has developed an delta region. This means there is a lot of potential for more flares with a strong potential for more M flares and maybe an X. The sun currently has seven labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

The post Sun activity archive for October 2023 first appeared on EarthSky.

When is aurora season?

Is there any basis for the legendary connection between auroras and equinoxes? Yes, there is an aurora season, which comes in March and October (more or less around the equinoxes) each year. This pattern in nature – auroras increasing twice a year – is one of the earliest patterns ever to be observed and recorded by scientists.

We know that storms and eruptions on the sun cause disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field, called geomagnetic storms. And we know the sun itself has cycles, including the famous 11-year solar cycle. That cycle is in an upswing and quite active right now, that is why we’re having more solar activity now than a few years ago. But an 11-year cycle is not a twice-yearly cycle. Why would geomagnetic storms increase twice a year?

As it turns out, it’s all about magnetism and geometry.

Aurora season: Early studies

And it’s something nature-watchers have studied for a long time. Aloysius Cortie, an English Jesuit astronomer who conducted sun studies around the turn of the last century, published the first notable journal paper on the link between equinoxes and auroras in the year 1912.

Then in 1940, the mathematician Sydney Chapman and his German colleague Julius Bartels included another discussion of the twice-yearly aurora season in their classic book Geomagnetism. This 1940 book became the standard textbook on Earth’s magnetism for several decades.

Later, a solar physicist – David Hathaway of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center – created an updated plot showing the same seasonal pattern. Hathaway’s plot is below:

Interesting: David Hathaway: Geomagnetic Disturbances are almost TWICE as likely in Spring & Fall vs Winter & Summer https://t.co/gUWHLFqEE1 pic.twitter.com/Xn1RTzOomv

— Climate Realist (@ClimateRealists) September 30, 2017

The Russell-McPherron effect

Over the years, scientist put forth several models to explain the twice-a-year variation in geomagnetic storm. An enduring explanation comes from Christopher Russell and Robert McPherron, both of UCLA. Their 1973 paper on the subject was titled Semiannual Variation of Geomagnetic Activity.

Although their model explaining the seasonal variation in aurora frequency didn’t explain everything perfectly, it did show a physical connection between the geometry of Earth’s magnetic field and the magnetic field carried to Earth from the sun by the solar wind. And that is why, since the 1973 paper, the term Russell-McPherron effect has been used for the seasonal aurora.

So what’s the connection?

The Bz component. You know how a magnet always comes with two poles: a north pole and a south pole? Solar magnetic fields – carried to Earth via the solar wind – also have a north and south pole. Russell and McPherron showed that the “north-south” component of the sun’s magnetic field – called the Bz component by solar physicists – goes up and down over the year, in a way corresponding to the wobbling of Earth’s axis. They showed these fluctuations are largest during the equinoxes. Geomagnetic storms – and therefore auroras – happen most often when the “north-south” component of the solar wind is more or less opposite the “north-south” component of Earth’s own magnetic field.

It happens because – just as when two bar magnets oriented oppositely attract one another – so opposite Bz components attract. They open up a hole in Earth’s magnetic field, which allows the solar wind to flow more easily toward Earth’s magnetic poles.

When this happens, presto, we have auroras!

The equinoctial effect

There is another factor that comes into place that also increases aurora during equinoxes. It’s called the equinoctial effect. Equinoctial just means happening at or near the time of an equinox.

Many of the competing models to that of Russell and McPherron are based on the equinoctial effect. It’s not as strong as the effect mentioned above, but it does add to the equinox-aurora connection.

Here’s how it works. During equinoxes, Earth’s magnetic poles (north and south) are at right angles to the flowing solar wind, two times a day. During these times, the solar wind is effectively stronger, enhancing magnetic storms. As the seasons change, the poles either point more toward or away from the sun reducing this effect.

See what we mean? Magnetism … and the geometry of objects in space.

Magnetism and geometry in aurora season

So there is a reason why auroras are more frequent around the equinoxes. Researchers have been studying the phenomenon for over 100 years and still are studying it. They might not agree on all the details, but they do agree that the cause relates to the magnetic fields of both the sun and the Earth, working in conjunction with the sun-Earth geometry at a given time of year, as Earth moves in its orbit.

As meteorologist Curtis Grevenitz wrote this in his WeatherWise article for KTVH-News in Helena, Montana:

It is not just a coincidence that these two beautiful phenomena have a relationship.

To our readers and community

We invite all of our readers to send us your recent photos of auroras. We love receiving your photos. View our community photo page, or submit your image here.

Bottom line: An aurora season occurs in October and March each year, due to the way the magnetic fields of the sun and the Earth work in conjunction with sun-Earth geometry at a given time of year.

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The post Aurora season: Why more auroras at equinoxes? first appeared on EarthSky.

An active and fiery newcomer has begun to make itself known on the sun. Despite low sun activity, what we have seen over the past day indicates a lot of potential. This currently un-numbered yet active region is located on the northeast limb (edge). There also seems to be action from this area due to an active filament, which has been hurling ejecta all day long. NOAA’s GOES-16 satellite observed an Earth eclipse as it entered its eclipse season. At this time, there is one large coronal hole now located at a geoeffective position. Its fast solar wind may be reaching us at any time. Stay with us for more solar news to come.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues low, with only 15 C flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C8.0 flare from sunspot group AR3445 at 6:00 UTC on September 30. The lead flare producer of the day is the incoming region on the northeast limb (edge). It has not been numbered yet but it produced nine of the 15 total flares. The sun currently has six labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for September 29, 2023: Parker Solar Probe’s record-breaking flyby

The Parker Solar Probe has just made a record-breaking pass of the sun. In its quest to get closer and closer to our star, it recently performed a Venus flyby gravity assist. Then, during its latest perihelion (closest point to the sun) on September 27, it was able to pass just 4.51 million miles (7.26 million kilometers) from the solar surface – a new record! In doing so, it also achieved a record-high speed, soaring past our star at 394,736 miles per hour (635,266 kilometers per hour). See the thread below for more information, and enjoy the NASA animation shared above. The Parker Solar Probe will make it closest approach to the sun on December 24, 2024, after one final Venus fly-by on November 6, 2024. Go, Parker Solar Probe!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with only 11 C flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C3.1 from sunspot AR3450 at 14:04 UTC on September 28. With five flares, AR3445 was the day’s leading producer. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for September 28, 2023: Moderate, with an M flare by newcomer AR3450

Newcomer sunspot region AR3450 appeared yesterday over the sun’s southeast limb (edge) and now appears quite active. It was the producer of yesterday’s largest flare, despite not yet being labeled. And it produced an M1.3 flare over the past day, which kicked sun activity levels up to moderate. By the way, are you wondering what happened to comet Nishimura? The comet created a buzz in August, 2023, when first discovered. Many thought it would be bright! The comet is near the sun now. See the tweet below from sun-grazing comet scientist Karl Battams, and watch a beautiful video on comet Nishimura here. And stay tuned for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is now moderate, although flaring production generally continues at a low level. Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), the sun produced only 12 flares. The largest was an isolated faint M1.3 flare, blasted by newcomer active region AR3450 at 9:07 UTC on September 28, 2023. The blast produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout that affected an area over the southwest coast of Africa, north of Madagascar. This newcomer AR3450 is the lead flare producer of the day. It blasted seven flares out of a total of ten for the day. AR3435 lost its delta magnetic complexity (a delta region is a sign of potential for M or even X flares). Sunspot AR3449 is currently showing the most complex magnetic configuration of the day, with a beta-gamma configuration. The sun bears today eight labeled active regions on its Earth-viewed side.

More photos in this video: Comet Nishimura, the beautiful comet almost no one saw

Sun activity for September 27, 2023: Geomagnetic storm brings more auroras!

The G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm we reported yesterday produced beautiful auroras. The G1 disturbance continued through a good portion of the day, calming to active levels (Kp=4) at 2:55 UTC this morning. Meanwhile, although solar activity remains low today, we did see an erupting filament hurling ejecta into space from the vicinity of sunspot AR3447 in the southern hemisphere. Could this be the next event to disturb Earth’s magnetic field? Analysis is ongoing to determine if this blast is coming our way – we’ll let you know!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low. Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), the sun produced 10 C flares. The largest was a C4.7 fired at 5:46 UTC on September 27 by an unnumbered sunspot in the southeast. Sunspot region AR3449 was the lead flare producer with four of the 10 flares. AR3435 kept its delta magnetic complexity. AR3443, AR3445 and newcomer AR3449 all have a less-potent beta-gamma configuration. The sun has eight numbered sunspot regions today, including the aforementioned newcomer.

Sun activity for September 26, 2023: Geomagnetic storm expected. More red auroras?

A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm is ongoing at the time of this writing, with more stormy conditions anticipated through the rest of the day. The G1 threshold was reached at 8:09 UTC this morning. With Earth’s magnetic field still feeling the effects of Sunday’s coronal mass ejection (CME) arrival, NOAA forecasters have issued an alert for auroral displays. Keep an eye out for more red auroras! And don’t forget to share your beautiful aurora photos with us.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low, but we saw filament eruptions all over the solar disk, particularly in the northeast and northwest. These filaments hurled ejecta into space, and we await the results of specialist analysis to determine if a component of those blasts is coming our way. Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), only C class flares were produced – 18 in total. The largest was a C5.7 from the small but mighty sunspot region AR3445 at 4:28 UTC on September 26. AR3445 also became the lead flare producer of the past day, with ten of the 18 flares. AR3435 and AR3445 currently hold the potential for large flares, as they both show a delta magnetic complexity. The sun has nine numbered sunspot regions today, including two new kids in the neighborhood: AR3447 and AR3448.

Sun activity for September 25, 2023: Surprise strong CME brings rare red aurora

What fun! Earth experienced a coronal mass ejection (CME) impact late yesterday (September 24, 2023). We’d expected a geomagnetic storm, but not a G3 (strong) storm. But G3 it was! And many in Europe and northernmost North America were surprised with the sight of a rare red aurora. In the aurora, red is created by oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere. This color is one of the more difficult ones to detect with the unaided eye because the human eye is less sensitive to red light. Many past reports of red auroras were associated with extreme magnetic storms. Last night’s storm wasn’t extreme, although it was strong. Why did people see this rare red aurora? We don’t know. But scientists will surely be looking today, trying to understand the conditions that led to these beautiful displays.
Last 24 hours: Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), sun activity was moderate, due to a single M flare. In all, the sun released 18 flares, 13 of which came from yesterday’s hero, AR3445. This sunspot region – though small in size – is turning out to be the little engine that could! But AR3445 didn’t produce the largest flare of the past day. That was an M1 flare from AR3443 at 14:51 UTC on September 24, 2023. The M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over South America. AR3435 and AR3445 both show some magnetic complexity, with a delta region. The sun currently has nine numbered sunspot regions.

Sun activity for September 24, 2023: Meet sunspot region AR3445 (again)

We have a new kid in town! Well, not new exactly. Sunspot region AR3445 rotated onto the Earth-facing disk of our star a few days ago. It gained a delta region (a possible indication of strong flaring), and it produced a two big flares. Then it went away. Now it has came back! And now it has kicked into high gear and produced a lot of flaring. It produced 15 of the 21 solar flares of the past day. That’s including three of the past day’s four M flares, plus the largest event of the period, an M4.4. AR3445 is far from being the biggest spot region on the sun. It’s little, but mighty! And there’s more news. We might see more auroral activity into the coming week, due to the influence of a coronal hole and the possible arrival of CMEs today and September 26. Read more below, and stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues at a moderate levels thanks to four M flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The sun released a total of 21 flares, 15 of which came from AR3445. This region produced the largest event, an M4.4 flare and two of the other M flares. Each M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout. The breakdown of the M flares and R1 blackouts of the period is:
– M1.6 by AR3446 at 20:14 UTC on September 23. R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Pacific.
– M1.2 by AR3445 at 02:51 UTC on September 24. R1 (minor) radio blackout over Australia.
– M1.9 by AR3445 at 03:09 UTC on September 24. R1 (minor) radio blackout over Australia.
– M4.4 by AR3445 at 03:17 UTC on September 24. The largest of the four, it produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over Australia.
By the way, the M4.4 was a long-duration event, though it appeared more as a set of smaller flares combined together rather than a single long event. If, like many long duration events, it produced a coronal mass ejection (CME), the region’s position makes it ideal for sending that CME towards us. We await further analysis to know the final outcome. In the meantime, also in the past day, AR3443 gained a delta region. And AR3441 now has a slightly less complex, beta-gamma, magnetic configuration. None of the regions are particularly large, so we’ll see what happens next. The sun currently has 11 numbered sunspot regions.

Sun activity for September 24, 2023: Meet sunspot region AR3445 (again)

We have a new kid in town! Well, not new exactly. Sunspot region AR3445 rotated onto the Earth-facing disk of our star a few days ago. It gained a delta region (a possible indication of strong flaring), and it produced a two big flares. Then it went away. Now it has came back! And now it has kicked into high gear and produced a lot of flaring. It produced 15 of the 21 solar flares of the past day. That’s including three of the past day’s four M flares, plus the largest event of the period, an M4.4. AR3445 is far from being the biggest spot region on the sun. It’s little, but mighty! And there’s more news. We might see more auroral activity into the coming week, due to the influence of a coronal hole and the possible arrival of CMEs today and September 26. Read more below, and stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues at a moderate levels thanks to four M flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The sun released a total of 21 flares, 15 of which came from AR3445. This region produced the largest event, an M4.4 flare and two of the other M flares. Each M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout. The breakdown of the M flares and R1 blackouts of the period is:
– M1.6 by AR3446 at 20:14 UTC on September 23. R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Pacific.
– M1.2 by AR3445 at 02:51 UTC on September 24. R1 (minor) radio blackout over Australia.
– M1.9 by AR3445 at 03:09 UTC on September 24. R1 (minor) radio blackout over Australia.
– M4.4 by AR3445 at 03:17 UTC on September 24. The largest of the four, it produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over Australia.
By the way, the M4.4 was a long-duration event, though it appeared more as a set of smaller flares combined together rather than a single long event. If, like many long duration events, it produced a coronal mass ejection (CME), the region’s position makes it ideal for sending that CME towards us. We await further analysis to know the final outcome. In the meantime, also in the past day, AR3443 gained a delta region. And AR3441 now has a slightly less complex, beta-gamma, magnetic configuration. None of the regions are particularly large, so we’ll see what happens next. The sun currently has 11 numbered sunspot regions.

Sun activity for September 23, 2023: Moderate with a chance for equinox auroras

Three M flares with filament explosions and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have thrown solar particles toward Earth. Sun activity is moderate with sunspot active region AR3443 producing the three M flares, including an M1.4 and then an M1.5 in less than an hour. The third M flare occurred simultaneously with a filament eruption. Scientists are further analyzing the CMEs from the M flares to determine if they’re coming our way. We saw a huge filament eruption early in the day at around 11 UTC (see our animation below). And we anticipate a weekend full of auroral displays due to the arrival of multiple CMEs hurled into space by the M flares produced September 20 through 22. Arrival of the first CME is expected by late today, September 23. This is all coincident with the September equinox, which favors auroras. So this is an alert for aurora chasers. Get out your cameras!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues at a moderate level. This time, three M flares kept up the current levels. During the past day, between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun released 23 flares: three M flares and 20 C flares. Each M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout. The breakdown of the M flares and R1 blackouts of the period is:
– M1.4 by AR3443 at 16:23 UTC on September 22. R1 (minor) radio blackout over Colombia in South America.
– M1.5 by AR3443 at 17:15 UTC on September 22. R1 (minor) radio blackout over Colombia’s west coast.
– M1.9 by AR3443 at 23:00 UTC on September 22. The largest of the three, it produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the middle of the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii.
Sunspot region AR3443 was the lead flare producer of the day with three Ms and nine Cs. The champion of the week, M flare producer active region AR3445, lost its delta configuration, but AR3443 now shows a beta-gamma magnetic complexity. The sun has 11 numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 22, 2023. Another almost-X flare!

Deja vu all over again. At first glance, the past day on the sun has seemed like a carbon copy of the day before. Sunspot group AR3435 maintained its delta magnetic configuration, showing continued potential for large M flares or even X-class events. And, sure enough, it gave us another M8 flare midday yesterday, slightly larger than Wednesday’s at M8.7. But one of the striking differences between the two flares is the observation of what’s called coronal dimming. That’s the technical name for a spreading patch of dimmer material, sometimes seen in the surrounding region, following a strong flare. It happens because the amount of solar material (atmosphere) in the region suddenly decreases. So there’s less matter to emit light, and hence we see a dimming. It’s a strong indication that a coronal mass ejection (CME) has occurred; the area is dimmer because mass has been ejected from it. And it’s also a great example of why it’s important to observe sun activity in multiple wavelengths of light. See the 4-paneled image below. In it, the gold image (171 angstrom) shows the coronal structure during the event, the teal image (131 angstrom) shows the super-hot emission of the flare, while the pink and brown images (211 and 193 angstrom) much more clearly show the dimming caused by the CME material leaving the sun. Coronagraph images are not available yet, but we’d expect to see a clear CME moving away from the sun and headed our way. This could possibly be a partial or full halo CME.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains moderate with two M flares. During the past day, between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun released 10 flares: two Ms and eight Cs. The first M flare, the largest flare of the period, was an M8.7 fired by AR3435 at 12:54 UTC on September 21. The second M, also from AR3435, was an M1.2 at 3:35 UTC on September 22. The eruptions produced corresponding radio blackouts. The first was an R2 (moderate) radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean, southwest of the coast of Liberia in Africa. The second was an R1 (minor) blackout over Indonesia. Sunspot regions AR3443 and AR3441 were the lead flare producers of the day with three C flares each. And looking around the rest of the sun, we were dazzled by the dance of prominences on the solar limb (edge). The sun currently has 11 numbered active regions, including two newcomers: AR3443 and AR3444.

Sun activity for September 21, 2023. An almost-X flare from AR3435

We reported yesterday that sunspot AR3435 had grown in magnetic complexity, indicating that larger flares were possible, and today it’s lived up to its potential. It fired off an M8.2 flare, almost reaching the X flare threshold! The sunspot has retained its delta magnetic complexity, too, so more intense flaring may still be in store. The attention-grabbing M flare was accompanied by filament explosions all over the Earth-viewed sun, as well as mesmerizing prominences on the northwest limb (edge) from regions that recently rotated out of view. Will AR3435 release an X flare before it meets the same fate? Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains moderate thanks to the M8.2 that AR3435 fired at 14:19 UTC on September 20. The eruption produced an R2 (moderate) radio blackout over the Atlantic Ocean north of Natal in Brazil. Besides this M flare, the sun released 17 C flares for a total of 18 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The lead flare producer of the period was AR3438, with six C flares. The sun currently has ten numbered active regions, including two newcomers: AR3441 and AR3442.

Sun activity for September 20, 2023 is moderate with an M4 flare. Plus, auroras!

Geomagnetic activity has begun to wane after yesterday’s G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm, but flaring intensity on the sun has picked up with an M4 flare from AR3435. This sunspot’s magnetic complexity has grown to beta-delta, which means it will likely continue to produce M flares and could even hold the potential for an X flare. Elsewhere, we continue to observe filament explosions all over the Earth-viewed side of our star. Our animation below shows a blast by sunspot AR3437 in the southwest, followed by a gorgeous whip-like prominence on the southwest limb (edge). As a result of the yesterday morning’s G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm, auroral displays were observed far and wide; we received photos from Michigan, Wisconsin, Montana, and Scotland. Visit our EarthSky Community Photo section and enjoy them. Thank you to our readers for sharing your beautiful photos.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with an isolated M flare from AR3435 late in the day on September 19. With 17 C flares on top of this, the total flare production was 18 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was an M4.0 flare from AR3435 at 20:14 UTC on September 19. A corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over the Pacific Ocean off the northwest coast of Colombia. AR3436 was once again the top flare producer of the day, with five Cs this time. The sun currently has nine numbered active regions, including a newcomer in the northeast labeled AR3440.

Sun activity for September 19, 2023, is moderate. Big geomagnetic storm last night

The expected coronal mass ejection (CME) arrived early. And it provoked a G1 (minor), G2 (moderate), and up to a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm early today! The combined effects of a CME that emerged from the sun on September 16 and another that did so on September 17 caused the storms. The effects first struck over Scandinavia and the northern latitudes of Europe. And they also reached North America, with auroras sighted down into the northern U.S. NOAA emitted an alert for Kp=7 conditions. Did you see the auroras? Share your beautiful photos with the EarthSky community!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with two M flares from AR3435 early in the day on September 19. With 16 C flares on top of this, the total flare production was 18 between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest event was an M1.89 flare from AR3435 at 9:38 UTC on September 19. An R1 (minor) radio blackout affected Kenya. The other M flare was an M1.1 from AR3435 at 3:55 UTC on September 19. Shortly after that M flare, an R1 radio blackout affected an area over Indonesia. AR3436 was the top flare producer, with ten C flares. The sun currently has nine numbered active regions, including four newcomers: AR3437 in the southwest, AR3438 and AR3440 in the northeast, and AR3439 in the southeast.

Sun activity for September 18, 2023 is low, with filaments for excitement

Over the past day, the sun produced only C flares, giving us low sun activity. But the sun’s filaments don’t seem to know that. A large filament on the southwest limb (edge) erupted producing a beautiful coronal mass ejection (CME). While the CME largely is directed away from Earth, the event is under analysis to determine if there is an Earth-directed component. The huge rope of solar plasma swirled around the limb (edge) visible in the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) 304-angstrom wavelength channel. It then slowly lifted off from the sun, where the CME was captured by the SOHO LASCO C2 and C3 coronagraphs. Because of SOHO’s perspective, we saw a classic lightbulb shaped CME flying off into space. The Earth’s magnetic field (geomagnetic field) was up until recently, still disturbed by yesterday’s CME arrival. Just before the time of this writing, it again reached G1 (minor) storm levels. But it has now settled back to quiet conditions. Another CME impact is expected for tomorrow, September 19, so stay tuned! There may be more auroras on the way with possible G3 (Strong) storming.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with eight C flares over the past day. The largest event was a C3.6 flare from AR3435 at 15:55 UTC on September 17. AR3435 was the top flare producer with four of the eight flares. The sun currently has six numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 17, 2023: A CME is here, with another one on the way

The coronal mass ejection (CME) is here. As expected, the CME from September 14 glanced Earth early on September 17 at 2:32 UTC. It did not cause a geomagnetic storm and only reached active (Kp=4) levels. It could still reach a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm. Despite the lack of geomagnetic storming some beautiful auroral displays at higher latitudes were reported. Yesterday’s filament eruption produced a CME that is forecast to reach Earth on September 19 in a direct hit. Flaring levels have decreased, bringing sun activity to low. Stay tuned for news on more activity at Earth and on the sun.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with nine C flares over the past day. The largest event was a C3.7 flare from AR3429 at 15:54 UTC on September 16. AR3429 was the top flare producer with seven of the nine flares. The sun currently has six numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 16, 2023: Kaboom! Huge filament explosion plus 3 M flares

Kaboom! A huge filament eruption! The long transequatorial filament we have been observing finally provided a big eruption, hurling ejecta into space. This started at around 20 UTC on September 15 and ended at 9 UTC on September 16, 2023. We saw an enormous coronal mass ejection (CME) during the event. Due to its location, there is a good chance that a portion of the ejecta is coming our way, but we need to wait to hear what the specialists say. Sun activity is picking up with three M flares from our flaring hero of the week, sunspot AR3429. Turning our eyes to the northeast limb (edge), there is an active region still on the far side that has been quite active, releasing fiery prominences during the past day. Will this region get still more active? Stay with us for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with three M flares over the past day. There were 12 flares, three Ms and nine Cs. Once again, sunspot AR3429 produced the past day’s M flares. The first was an M1.7 flare that exploded at 22:29 UTC on September 15, the second was an M2.9 flare that blasted at 00:50 UTC, and the third was an M3.4 flare at 05:38 UTC on September 16. Three R1 (minor) radio blackouts resulted from the three M flares. The first one affected an area in the middle of the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii, the second north of New Guinea and the third one the north coast of Indonesia. The lead flare-producer prize again goes to AR3429, which blasted nine of the 12 flares of the day, the three Ms included. The sun currently has six numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 15, 2023: Bam, bam! 2 M flares in a row

Sunspot AR3429 was very active during the past day, and it eventually blasted two M flares in quick succession. The first was an M1.9 flare at 19:31 UTC on September 14, and the second, less than two hours later at 21:26 UTC, was an M2.5 flare. This region almost single-handedly created an uptick in flaring over the past day, firing off 15 of the 18 total flares! It was also the only sunspot to exhibit growth, with all the other sunspots on the Earth-viewed solar disk remaining stable or decaying. In other news, during the day today we are expecting a glancing blow from a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on September 11. It may provide conditions for a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm, bringing the chance for some more auroral displays.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains moderate, with two M flares over the past day. But flaring production has picked up, with 18 flares in total between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest event was the M2.5 flare from sunspot AR3429 at 21:26 UTC on September 14. Shortly after this M flare, a corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout was registered over the Pacific Ocean off the southwest coast of Mexico. The same occurred after AR3429’s earlier M flare, too. AR3429 was also the day’s leading flare producer with 15 flares, including the two M flares. The sun currently has six numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 14, 2023: Moderate with an M1.4 flare, chance for more auroras

Sun activity is back to moderate with the production of an isolated M1.4 flare. The blast was from a large filament in northwest near sunspot region AR3425 at 7:45 UTC on September 14. This area kept flaring over the past day, hurling faint ejecta into space (take a look at the animation below) before finally erupting, producing today’s single M flare. The auroras have subsided, for now, as the effects of September 12’s unexpected coronal mass ejection (CME) wane. But more auroras may be coming! The filament explosion we mentioned on September 11 hurled ejecta into space that may reach us tomorrow and disturb Earth’s magnetic field. Ready for round two, aurora watchers?
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. Flaring production decreased to only six flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: one M and five Cs. The largest was the above-mentioned M1.4 flare from a large filament eruption in the vicinity of AR3425 at 7:45 UTC on September 14. The M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the middle of the Arabian Sea. The lead flare producer of the day was region AR3429 with three C flares, while AR3423 remains the largest active region on the Earth-viewed solar disk. The sun currently has six numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 13, 2023: Unexpected geomagnetic storm last night. Aurora alert!

An unexpected coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth’s magnetic field last night and caused a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm, which then intensified to a G2 (moderate) storm. The CME was likely fired into space after a filament eruption on September 8–9, and eventually collided with Earth on September 12 to trigger the G2 (Kp=6) storm threshold at 17:59 UTC. All of this means: auroras! There have been reports of auroras as far south as Oslo, Norway, and the Sound of Islay in Scotland. Check out some of the beautiful images below. G1 storm conditions may extend through September 13, meaning the chance for more auroral sightings. Alerting all aurora watchers!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. There were only 13 C flares produced in the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C5.6 flare from sunspot AR3423 at 22:00 UTC on September 12. This region was also the lead flare producer of the period, with four C flares. The sun currently has six numbered active regions, including a newcomer in the northeast now numbered AR3433.

Sun activity for September 12, 2023: Action picking up with 4 M flares!

Sun activity is picking up! Over the past day, we observed four M flares across three different sunspot regions. This increase in intense flares has come alongside an increase in magnetic complexity for three regions, including two of the M flare producers. The more magnetically complex the sunspot, the higher the likelihood that it will produce high-intensity flares. AR3421 even developed a delta region, which makes it a good candidate for larger M flares and even X flares. Aside from magnetic growth, we’ve seen growth in size, too. AR3423 is getting even larger, and is big enough to be visible from the ground, as long as you make sure to use the proper eye protection. On top of all this excitement, multiple halo coronal mass ejections were observed in the LASCO C3 coronagraphs onboard the SOHO spacecraft. At least two of them appear to have been fired from the far side of the sun, so none of the plasma they sent into space will be heading our way. However, it does mean that the sunspots that produced these ejections could be rotating into our view soon!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. There were four M flares and 15 C flares in the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). This is a breakdown of the M flares produced during the period. Each M flare produced a corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout:
M1.1 at 14:49 UTC by AR3431 on September 11. R1 over the north coast of Brazil.
M1.9 at 4:31 UTC by AR3425 on September 12. R1 over Indonesia.
M1.9 at 5:13 UTC by AR3425 on September 12. R1 over Indonesia.
M2.6, the largest, at 7:07 UTC by AR3423 on September 12. R1 over the Indian Ocean.
Sunspot group AR3425 produced the most flares with two M flares and three Cs. The sun currently has eight numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 11, 2023: Yes! Fantastic filament eruption and flare

It’s definitely not a blue Monday on the sun! After a relaxing sun day yesterday, sun activity has risen to moderate levels, thanks to two M flares. First, sunspot AR3429 erupted with a filament and an associated M1.4 flare. The eruption created a coronal mass ejection (CME) off to the east of the sun, as seen from Earth. But further analysis might show it will provide a glancing blow – and possible auroral activity – at Earth. Not to be outdone, AR3431 countered with a flurry of flares, starting with an M1.1, then several C flares including a C9.3. In the background, AR3423 is quickly growing in size and magnetic complexity. You can see this sunspot from the ground! Just be sure to view the sun safely with the proper eye protection. This big sunspot hasn’t done much else yet. Stay tuned, to see if it’ll let loose its magnetic potential.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with two M flares and 14 C flares in the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was an M1.4 flare from active region AR3429 at 3:58 UTC on September 11. Sunspot group AR3431 produced the most flares with one M flare and seven C flares including an M1.1 flare. The sun currently has nine numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 10, 2023: Wavelengths and temperatures

We’re approaching another peak in the 11-year solar cycle (expected in mid-decade). Yet the past day has been relatively calm. The animated set of four images – above – shows the sun at different wavelengths (temperatures) and layers of the sun.
– The red color (304 angstroms) shows temperatures of ~80,000 degrees Celsius. The long, dark structures in the north and southeast (right side) are filaments.
– The gold color (171 angstroms) shows temperatures of ~100,000 degrees Celsius. The bright areas with loops coming out of them are the active regions over sunspots.
– The pink image (211 angstroms) shows temperatures of ~2 million degrees Celsius. The dark areas in the north and south are coronal holes.
– The last image, teal (131 angstroms) show ~10 million degrees Celsius. The bright flashes are solar flares.
Now compare the gold image to the large, yellow (visible light) sunspot image below. That yellow image shows temperatures of ~6,000 degrees Celsius. As we go from shorter wavelengths (and higher temperatures), we are looking at higher layers of the sun from the photosphere (visible light) to the chromosphere (304 angstroms) to the corona (171, 211, and 131 angstroms). This highlights the famous coronal heating problem. Why does the sun get hotter as you move farther away from the surface?
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with only C flares. We saw 14 C flares in the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC). The largest was a C8.3 flare from active region AR3423 at 01:41 UTC on September 10. Sunspot group AR3423 produced the most flares with five C flares including the C8.3 flare. The sun currently has five numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 9, 2023: A snake-like prominence and an almost-M flare

Sunspot AR3425 continued flaring all day, over the past day. But there was very little ejecta associated with the flares. Take a look at our top animation. It depicts the active filament/prominence that looked like a snake, undulating upwards into space. There was a C2.6 flare associated with this event at 18:19 UTC on September 8. Elsewhere on the solar disk, active region AR3421 almost reached moderate levels with an almost-M flare, a C8.5 flare at 01:20 UTC on September 9. GOES-16 SUVI 304 angstrom registered a faint flare, some ejecta can be seen blasting into space. A full-halo event was observed by SOHO’s LASCO C2 (11:36 UTC) and C3 (11:54 UTC). But no associated event was seen on the Earth-facing side of the sun, so this explosion must have occurred on the far side.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low, with the production of only C flares. We saw 14 C flares in the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC). The largest was a C8.5 flare – an almost-M flare – from active region AR3421 at 01:20 UTC on September 9. Both sunspots, AR3421 and AR3425 were active flare producers over the past day, but AR3421 wins first place since it produced seven C flares, the C8.5 included. AR3425 released four flares. The sun currently has five numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 8, 2023: New sunspot says hello with a bang

Newcomer sunspot group AR3425 has introduced itself with a bang, raising sun activity to moderate. Shortly after 19 UTC last night, it fired off an M2.1 flare with an impressive filament eruption. The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the GOES-16 satellite both observed ejecta being fired out into space. You can see the coronal mass ejection (CME) in the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C2 and C3 imagery below. The blast also created a type II radio burst, which is very useful because it can provide an estimate of the CME’s speed. So we know that the CME has a speed of roughly 1,238 km/s, but we are waiting on further analysis to know if any part of it might collide with Earth. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to moderate thanks to AR3245’s M2.1 flare at 19:09 UTC on September 7. This flare was the largest of the past day. In total, the sun blasted 18 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: the above-mentioned M, plus 17 C flares. The M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean, south of Mexico’s west coast. The lead flare producer today is the newcomer AR3425, which fired four flares including the M flare. The sun currently has seven numbered active regions.

Sun activity for September 7, 2023: Sunspots pick up the pace, more on the way

After yesterday’s focus on filaments, sunspots appear to be taking back the limelight. The newest sunspot regions have been increasing in flare productivity and growing in size, with AR3423 in the northeast showing particularly significant growth compared to yesterday. And it seems that more sunspots are on the way. We can see several sets of coronal loops (bright arcs of plasma driven by the sun’s magnetic fields) protruding from the sun in the east, and these might have been produced by sunspot regions that will soon rotate into view. Plus, helioseismology has detected a large region on the sun’s far side, several days away from coming round to the Earth-viewed portion of our star. And helioseismology isn’t the only way of tracking the activity on the unseen side of the sun. At around 14 UTC on September 5, the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C3 instrument registered several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) emerging from the sun as beautiful halos (be sure to take a look below). When specialists failed to identify any flares on the Earth-facing side of the sun that could have caused these bursts, they knew that these explosions had to have occurred on the sun’s far side.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with only C flares, but there were a lot of them; over the past day (11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today), the sun produced 16 C flares. The largest was a C5.3 fired at 17:56 UTC on September 6 from AR3421. While this region lost some size and magnetic complexity over the past day, it still retained its prize for lead flare producer, this time firing off eight of the 16 flares of the period. The sun has eight numbered active regions today. The bright area that we saw coming our way yesterday from the northeast has rotated into view and is now labeled AR3425.

Sun activity for September 6, 2023: Twisting, dancing prominence

The sun is alive with filaments – that is, ropes of solar material arcing up from the solar surface. Some of these filaments are erupting within the solar disk, but most can be seen around the limb (edge) of our star. Filaments that can be seen protruding over the limb are known as prominences. The most notable prominence observed over the past day was the winding dance on the south pole that you can see above. As it erupted, it twisted in a tornado-like motion and sent plasma off into space. Elsewhere, we saw bright filament loops on the northeast limb and eruptions on the southeast limb. As the east of the sun is rotating towards us, these filaments may have been produced by sunspots that will come into view over the next few days. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains a moderate. Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today), the sun produced 12 flares: two M flares and ten C flares. The largest was an M1.2 fired at 19:45 UTC on September 5 by AR3421, which then followed this up with an M1.0 at 23:39 UTC. Both M flares produced R1 (minor) radio blackouts. The first affected an area in the middle of the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of Baja California, Mexico, and the second occurred south of Hawaii over the Pacific Ocean. Not only did AR3421 produce both M flares, but it once again obtained the prize for lead flare producer, firing off ten of the 12 flares. The sun has eight numbered active regions today. One is a new kid on the block, AR3424, located close to the limb in the northeast.

Sun activity for September 5, 2023 is moderate with 25 total flares!

What’s a week to the sun? It’s just over a quarter-turn in the sun’s 27-day rotation. Last week was – from our earthly perspective – a quiet week on the sun. But now, not surprisingly, sun activity has picked up. It’s back to moderate, with 25 total flares in the past day, including an M2.0 flare from sunspot region AR3421. This sunspot is an interesting one. Aside from producing the largest flare of the past day, it has grown very quickly, since emerging near the center of the solar disk on September 3. It’s now the largest region on the Earth-viewed sun. We also saw a delta region starting to form – where a large bundle of magnetic field lines has broken through the sun’s surface, forming the primary sunspot – and with a smaller spot that has emerged nearby, creating a magnetically complex region where particles are energized and can then be violently expelled! But – for AR3421 – the delta region isn’t quite there yet. Check out our imagery above to see AR3421’s development. This region could be our next source of geoeffective action, that is, action that will affect Earth with magnificent auroral displays. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to moderate. Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today), the sun produced 25 flares: one M, 22 Cs, and 2 B flares. The southeast is showing a lot of solar activity. A fiery newcomer on the southeast limb (edge) fired a C2.4 flare at 12:54 UTC on September 4 with a beautiful filament eruption. Also, former Earth-facing sunspot AR3413 kept up its activity from beyond the northwest limb (edge), releasing a C6.6 at 11:06 UTC on September 4. This flare may actually have been larger than C6.6, since it was partially occulted (blocked) by the sun. AR3421’s above-mentioned M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Arabian Sea. AR3421 was the lead flare producer of the day, with nine flares including the M flare. The sun currently has seven labeled active regions. There are two newcomers in the northeast: AR3422 and AR3423.

Sun activity for September 4, 2023, is low. Aurora season approaches

This weekend’s momentary high sun activity is over. It was fun, though! And the coronal mass ejection (CME) that hit on Saturday (September 2) – though having a relatively weak impact – brought us some nice auroral displays. Weak impact, but nice auroras … why? It could be the time of year. The September equinox is coming. And – around the September and March equinoxes – the geometry of the Earth and sun is such that auroral displays are more likely. That’s why solar physicists call this time of year aurora season. If this 2023 autumn aurora season combines with some higher activity from CMEs directed our way, look out for some spectacular auroras!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low. Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today), the sun produced 16 C flares and one B flare, and no Earth-directed CMEs. The largest was an C5.8 flare from sunspot AR3413 at 12:03 UTC on September 4. The sun has six labeled active regions.

Sun activity for September 3, 2023, is high. Plus, auroras last night!

Auroras are here! Yesterday’s CME impact disturbed Earth’s magnetic field to the point of G1 (minor) storming. The storms began at about 12 UTC on September 2. By about 3 UTC September 3, they reached G2 (moderate) levels. People reported auroral displays across southern Canada and down into the upper U.S. states such as Wisconsin. And good conditions for auroras are expected to continue until at least tonight (night of September 3). Meanwhile, on the sun itself, the time of this writing, AR3413 released an M6 flare. So sun activity is now considered high. Given the position of the region over the west limb (edge), the flare was most certainly larger than M6. The event also released solar plasma producing a coronal mass ejection (CME), but it was largely directed away from the sun. We await further auroral images. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high. The sun produced 14 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: two M, 11 Cs, and one Bs. The largest was an M6 flare from sunspot AR3413 at 8:09 UTC on September 3. Shortly after the M flare, an R2 (minor) radio blackout occurred over Africa, the Middle East, and India. The sun also produced an M1.1 at 00:14 UTC from AR3413. The sun has five labeled active regions.

Sun activity for September 2, 2023. Conditions are ripe for auroras

The expected coronal mass ejection (CME) glancing blow is here. Earth’s magnetic field is now at G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm levels. And that means auroras! This CME is the result of solar activity from August 30. The threshold for a G1 storm (a Kp = 5) was reached at 08:10 UTC on September 2, 2023. NOAA had issued a G1 alert with chances for a G2 (moderate) storm. SOHO’s LASCO coronagraphs observed a CME from yesterday’s long-duration M1 flare. Analysis shows a chance for a glancing blow on September 5. Auroras may appear to observers at latitudes as far south as northern Michigan and Maine. The sun itself is maintaining its moderate levels with an M3.4 flare. The event produced a CME, and we await further analysis to determine whether there could be an Earth-directed component. The next few days could be filled with a lot of amazing aurora. Share your beautiful photos of auroras with us! Stay tuned for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. The sun produced six flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: one M, three Cs, and two Bs. The largest was an M3.4 flare from sunspot AR3413 at 07:12 UTC on September 2. Shortly after the M flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout occurred over an area southwest of India. An incoming active region on the sun’s southeast, not numbered yet, was the lead flare producer of the period with four out of the six flares of the day. The sun has five labeled active regions.

Sun activity for September 1, 2023. Here comes the sun, with 3 M flares!

We hadn’t seen an M flare since August 26. But earlier today we saw three M flares in a row! With them, we are back to moderate levels. An M1.0 opened the door at 03:18 UTC today (September 1), shortly followed by an M1.2 flare at 03:51 UTC, and another M1.2 at 03:52 UTC. The three blasts came from sunspot region AR3413, the region we reported as a mixed-up sunspot due to its changing polarity. The three M flares – so close together in time – can also be considered a long-duration M flare. Take a look at our animation below. We can see ejecta hurled out at the moment of the blast, and a part of it returning back to the sun. At a certain moment, the magnetic bonds that keep the plasma in a loop disengaged. At that point, part of the plasma went away out into space. AR3413 is nearing the sun’s west limb (edge). It’ll soon depart to the far side of our sun, the side we don’t see from Earth. The coronal mass ejection (CME) produced in the M flare(s) might not be coming our way. But we need to wait for the modeling and analysis, because, chances are, a component will come to us. The eruption also produced a blast of high-energy particles, a solar particle event, that reached an S1 level on the NOAA scale. Will AR3413 release more M flares before it departs to the far side? Is sun activity picking up? By the way … aurora alert for this weekend! See below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. The sun produced 10 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: three Ms, five Cs, and two Bs. The largest was an M1.2 flare from sunspot AR3413. Shortly after the M flares, an R1 (minor) radio blackout was noted, affecting the Philippines. Sunspot AR3413 was the lead flare producer of the period. It kept blasting all day long. It produced a total of eight flares: three Ms and five Cs. The sun has five labeled active regions.

The post Sun activity archive for September 2023 first appeared on EarthSky.

Sun activity is low. But our friend the sigmoid, or S-shaped filament, erupted again, producing a bright flare and sending some ejecta into space. And we’ve seen an intricate dance around the sun’s north pole, involving a solar tornado. As described in this article in Science, solar tornados are blisteringly hot and about a thousand times larger than their earthly counterparts. A solar tornado results from the forces in the solar corona flinging a filament around. From this perspective, the structure looks similar to a tornado here on Earth. Hence the name.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues low. The sun produced eight flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: five Cs and three Bs. The largest was a C3.0 flare from sunspot AR3413 in the sun’s northwest quadrant at 23:28 UTC on August 30. The lead flare producer of the period was sunspot AR3415, which blasted three flares. The sun has six labeled active regions. There is a newcomer in the northeast now numbered AR3418.

Sun activity for August 30, 2023 is low: Plus, a mixed-up sunspot

Low sun activity continues, with only C and B flares. Meanwhile, we observed some strangeness from sunspot AR3413. As it transits the Earth-facing solar disk, it appears a bit mixed up. Normally, sunspots have a specific polarity (north-south magnetic alignment) in the northern hemisphere, with the opposite polarity in the southern hemisphere. The strong tendency of sunspots to have opposite polarities in opposite hemispheres is called the Hale polarity. And what’s cool is that the polarities reverse, with each new solar cycle. Now check out the imagery above, where green and blue represent one polarity and red and yellow represent the opposite polarity. AR3413 started off its journey from the sun’s limb (edge) with the polarity of a southern hemisphere spot. Then it transformed into a northern hemisphere polarity during its journey across the disk. Very interesting!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low. Eight flares were produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: five Cs and three Bs. The largest was a C4.0 flare from sunspot AR3417 in the southeast at 23:27 UTC on August 29. This sunspot region shares the lead flare producer crown, with an unlabeled sunspot in the northeast. Both produced three flares over the past day. The sun currently has five labeled active regions, including a newcomer now numbered AR3417. By the way, near the center of the solar disk, a filament followed the path of a sigmoid (S-shaped) structure. Take a look in the imagery below. You can see a lot of motion along the filament. And just to the west of this structure, a filament erupted on and off over the past day, hurling some ejecta into space.

Sun activity for August 29, 2023, is low, but filaments and prominences keep going.

Low sun activity continues, but filaments and prominences are still adorning the solar limb (edge). We saw activity particularly in the northeast quadrant, where a magnificent prominence hurled out ejecta – see it in the above imagery. This region looks pretty active, as it kept flaring all day long. Also on the northern limb, a long-lasting prominence close to the solar pole kept dancing the whole day, forming an almost complete arc as plasma was ejected and returned to the sun. Check it out in the imagery below. There are more active regions coming into view; stay with us as we wait for an increase in activity.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. During the past day the sun again released only C and B flares, although the number of flares has increased. There were 12 C and three B flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest event was a C2.3 flare by an incoming region on the northeast limb that has not yet been numbered. The event occurred at 23:59 UTC on August 28. This sunspot region was also the lead flare producer of the day, with six C and two B flares. The sun currently has five labeled active regions.

Sun activity for August 28, 2023 is low, but lots of filaments and prominences

We are nearing solar maximum in the next year or two. But you wouldn’t know it from looking at the sun over the past 24 hours. Sun activity is low. It’s almost very low. In the past day, there was only one C flare. The only other flare was a B flare. What we do see is a lot of filament and prominence activity. There were no filament eruptions, but filaments are dancing all along the sun’s limb (edge). Why is the sun so quiet, when we are so near solar maximum? It’s just a period of quiet amongst the storms. Stay tuned. It’ll change soon.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. The sun released one C flare and one B flare during the past day, between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C1 flare from just behind the sun’s west limb (edge), AR3405, at 3:54 UTC on August 28, 2023. Today, the sun has five labeled active regions.

Sun activity for August 27, 2023 is moderate. Plus, a double filament eruption

The sun produced back-to-back filament eruptions that were fun to see. The first was from sunspot region AR3411. The second erupted slightly south of that, from behind the sun’s limb (edge). We think newly departed sunspot region AR3405 might have caused the second filament. Both eruptions were on the sun’s west limb (edge), so any coronal mass ejections (CMEs) would not be Earth-directed. Overall, sun activity increased momentarily to moderate with the production of an M1.1 flare from over the sun’s east limb (edge). The M flare was a long-duration event, lasting more than six hours. Afterwards, sun activity calmed. By the way, longer-duration flares are indicative of CMEs. But this one was far behind the limb, so the CME would not be Earth-directed.

Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. The sun released one M flare and four C flares during the past day, between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was an M1.1 flare from just behind the sun’s east limb (edge) at 22:30 UTC on August 26, 2023. Region AR3415 continues to show a beta-delta magnetic configuration. Today, the sun has five labeled active regions.

Sun activity for August 26, 2023: Sunspot AR3405 departs with a double blast

Sun activity is back to low with the production of only C flares, but there is an active region on the northwest limb (edge) that doesn’t want to leave without being noticed. Sunspot AR3405 produced a double flare, jets and fiery prominences. It blasted out a C1.3 flare at 15:36 UTC on August 25 and rapidly thereafter a C5.3 at 15:49 UTC. Both explosions produced gorgeous prominences; in the animation you can see the second one. On the southeast, we see a coming sunspot that promises fiery activity for itself and its vicinity. We saw high activity during the past day even before this sunspot got a number. It has now been labeled AR3416.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. The sun blasted only five C flares during the past day, between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C5.0 flare exploding from sunspot AR3405 at 15:49 UTC yesterday.  The lead flaring producer of the period was sunspot AR3405, which blasted out three flares plus a series of sub flares, jets and prominences. Active regions AR3415 and AR3413 are the largest active regions on the solar disk. Region AR3415 shows a beta-delta magnetic configuration. Today, the sun bears six labeled active regions with the addition of newcomer AR3416 in the southeast limb (edge).

Sun activity for August 25, 2023: M flare! Activity rises to moderate

Sun activity has risen to moderate with an M1.5 flare at 1:09 UTC on August 25 by AR3415. We’ve been watching this region, along with AR3413, since they were beyond the solar horizon in the northeast, and they are now the largest sunspot regions on the Earth-viewed solar disk. While we mentioned yesterday that AR3413 was under consideration to be split into two regions, specialists have now decided that it will remain as a single sunspot. This is because it has now lost the additional spots that made it candidate for a split. Elsewhere on the sun, AR3405 blasted flares all day long in the northwest, producing jets and prominences. We saw three of them being hurled into space – take a look at our imagery below. Finally, the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C2 instrument captured Regulus, the brightest star of constellation Leo the Lion, coming out from behind the occulter. The occulter is a disk that covers the sun to allow us to better image the sun’s surroundings, where we can see events like coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with the production of an M flare. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced only 13 flares. The largest was the above-mentioned M1.5 flare blasted by AR3415 on the southeast quadrant. The explosion occurred at 1:09 UTC on August 25. Shortly after the M flare, a corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout was registered, affecting an area over the Pacific Ocean between Japan and Hawaii. The lead flaring producer of the period was sunspot AR3405, which blasted six flares, while AR3415 is the largest active region on the solar disk. Today the sun bears five labeled active regions.

Sun activity for August 24, 2023: Dancing prominences all around the horizon

Sun activity returns to low with the production of only C flares, but we saw dancing prominences all around the sun’s limb (edge). The west solar horizon was adorned with them, both in the north and the south. This activity is from recently departed sunspots and filaments that have just rotated out of view to the far side of our sun. We also saw action in the northeast in the form of floating plasma and prominences. These prominences came from sunspots sitting just behind the horizon, so – since the east limb is rotating into view – they’re a sign of possible action to come! For now we’re watching the recently arrived AR3413 and AR3415, which are the largest sunspots on the solar disk. Similar to the case of AR3405, which was recently split into two active regions (AR3405 and AR3411), specialists are suggesting that AR3413 is actually two active regions. However, they need it to rotate into a more frontal location to perform the analysis required to make this decision.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced only 11 C flares. The largest was a C3.9 blasted by sunspot AR3405 on the northwest quadrant. The explosion occurred at 14:07 UTC on August 23. The lead flare producer prize goes to AR3403, which produced four blasts during the last 24 hours. The sun currently bears seven labeled active regions, with no newcomers today.

Sun activity for August 23, 2023: Action on the up with an M flare!

After days of low activity, action has finally increased with an M1.1 flare. We were expecting activity to pick up through the the two eastern newcomers that have attracted our attention in recent days, but it was actually the northwest quadrant that brought the excitement. Sunspot region AR3405 started things off with a C1.6 around 11 UTC on August 22. It continued to be active through the day, with a huge exploding filament in its vicinity ending at 23:04 UTC with the M1.1 blast that brought sun activity to moderate. We hadn’t seen an M flare since sunspot AR3387 produced an M3.6 on August 8! The southwest quadrant responded with a gorgeous prominence at 2:04 UTC on August 23, which came from an exploding filament near AR3404. Check out our animation below to see the ejecta that it hurled into space. Turning back to the east, the southeastern newcomer finally turned the the corner onto the Earth-viewed side of the sun. That meant that specialists could finally assign it a number: meet AR3415. It looks like a large active region, but it’s still located too close to the limb (edge) for scientists to provide an accurate classification. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw one M flare and nine Cs for a total of ten flares during the period. As mentioned above, the largest was an M1.1 flare by AR3405 at 23:04 UTC on August 22. Shortly after the M flare an R1 (minor) radio blackout was registered, affecting an area east of Hawaii over the Pacific Ocean. The honor of lead flare producer for the day goes to AR3405, which blasted six flares including the M. Currently, our star has eight numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side. Two are newcomers: AR3414, which appeared from nowhere on the northeast quadrant, and the newly numbered AR3415 in the southeast, which is looking big!

Sun activity for August 22, 2023: Simultaneous double prominence in the east

Sun activity today is low, but wow! A simultaneous double prominence! The event was a result of two C flares blasted by the two newcomer sunspot regions we mentioned yesterday. Out of the two flares, the one in the southeast was the largest. In fact, as a C5.7 flare, it was the largest flare of the past day. The sunspot that produced it is still located beyond the solar horizon, so it does not have a number yet. Specialists are waiting for it to rotate around the corner to give it a number. The newcomer in the northeast did receive a number, and is now called AR3413. Turning to the northwest, the sun granted us some jets and prominences from AR3403 and a recently departed active region far beyond the solar horizon.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw 12 C flares. As mentioned above, the largest was a C5.7 flare at 0:00 UTC on August 22, by an as-yet-unnumbered active region. This sunspot blasted eight C flares from behind the solar horizon in the southeast to become the lead flare producer. Currently, our star has eight numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side. There is a newcomer on the northeast now numbered AR3413.

Sun activity for August 21, 2023: Parker Solar Probe Venus flyby today

You wouldn’t think so … but it’s extra hard to send spacecraft inward toward our sun. Extra boosts of energy are required. And today NASA’s Parker Solar Probe will fly past Venus – the planet next-inward from Earth – for the 6th time during its mission to reach the sun. This is Venus flyby #6 out of 7, due to be completed at 12:02 UTC on August 21, 2023, just an hour after the closing time of this writing. Parker Solar Probe launched on August 12, 2018. Its true purpose is to unlock mysteries of the sun’s corona and solar wind. So today Parker Solar Probe completes Venus flyby #6. And the mission completed its most recent perihelion – its closest point to the sun, perihelion #16 – on June 22, 2023. On that day, it flew only 5.3 million miles (8.5 million km) from the sun’s surface. Over the seven years of its mission, Parker Solar Probe will complete 24 orbits around the sun. At its closest approach, it’ll come within about 3.9 million miles (6.2 million km) of the sun. That’s some seven times closer than any previous mission, and it’s why NASA sometimes says that Parker Solar Probe is the first spacecraft to touch the sun. In fact, the craft has touched the sun already, according to NASA. It accomplished that feat when it swooped inside the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, at its 8th perihelion on April 28, 2021.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw 11 C flares. The largest was a C4.4 flare – from an incoming active region on the southeast that has not not been numbered yet – just exploded at 07:53 UTC on August 21, 2023. The two active regions that blasted the gorgeous loop prominence we reported yesterday have just turned the corner on the sun’s east (incoming) limb. Action picking up with these two guys? We’ll keep watching. The award for lead flare producer of the past day was shared between these two not-yet- numbered active regions. Currently, our star shows six numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for August 20, 2023: Fiery prominence from sun’s far side

Sun activity continues low. But we did see a large filament explosion, forming an arc beyond the solar east limb (edge). It was an enormous loop of plasma! Take a look at our animation. It ended with a magnificent prominence, just above the sun’s equator on its east horizon. The prominence loop started to form at around 9 UTC on August 19 and ended at around 11:30 UTC. Promises for action? We’ll see.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw only six C flares. At the time of this writing, active region AR3409 on the northwest exploded a C3.7 flare at 06:36 UTC on August 20, 2023. The explosion is associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME), but we’ll need to wait for the modeling and analysis to find out if a component is coming our way. This event was the largest flare of the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The award for lead flare producer of the past day is split between sunspots AR3409, yesterday’s leader, and AR3403. Both exploded two C flares each. Currently, our star shows seven numbered active regions on its Earth-faced side. All are stable or in decay.

Sun activity for August 19, 2023: C5.8 flare produces a bright burst

Sun activity was low just before this writing, but then active region AR3406 exploded with a C5.8 flare. The bright burst, which blasted from the sun at 06:40 UTC today, August 19, looked like a diamond winking in the light. On the other hand, also on the west limb but farther north, AR3409 blasted out three lesser C flares. After a minor C1.8 flare, AR3409 produced a C3.7 at 19:30 UTC. Then, shortly after, AR3409 released a C3.0 flare at 21:35 UTC. This C flare produced sent dark ejecta into space, meaning the plasma that flew into space was colder than its surroundings. We need to wait until specialists go through modeling and analysis on these three flares to determine if any coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were directed at us. Elsewhere on the sun, the troll-lookalike, long-lasting prominences came to an end as the trolls vanished. But now, new, long-lasting prominences appear all over the north limb (edge). We saw four of them, including floating plasma in the northeast. All this happened while the sun was relatively “calm.” Stay tuned for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw only four C flares. The largest event was a  C5.8 flare by active region AR3406 on the southwest quadrant. The explosion occurred at 06:40 UTC today, August 19. Sunspot AR3409 was the lead flare producer. It produced three of the four C flares. Currently our star presents eight numbered active regions. All are stable, presenting an alpha or beta magnetic configuration. There is a newcomer on the northeast limb (edge) now numbered AR3412.

Sun activity for August 18, 2023: Fiery prominence. Sunspot AR3405 splits

Sun activity remains low, with only C flares. But AR3397 blasted a C5.1 flare on the northwest at 12:40 UTC on August 17 that produced a fiery prominence. The LASCO C2 imagery instruments on the SOHO spacecraft registered the event and a narrow coronal mass ejection (CME). After modeling and analysis, the CME was found to not be Earth-directed. During the event, we saw a couple of long-lasting prominences that have been there for the past day. With a bit of imagination, they look like two trolls running away from the eruption, climbing uphill to reach the solar north pole! Returning to our discussion of sunspot region AR3405 yesterday, specialists have now decided to split it into two separate active regions. The west part of it will remain identified as AR3405 while the eastern area will be numbered as AR3411. Both are stable for now.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw only 12 C flares. The largest event was the C5.1 mentioned above that produced a gorgeous prominence. The lead flare producer of the day was an as-yet-unnumbered region on the southeast quadrant. It produced six C flares. AR3410 and AR3411 show an alpha magnetic configuration while the rest present a beta complexity. All are stable. Currently the sun bears seven numbered active regions on its Earth-faced side. Unusually, as mentioned above, today we have an old-newcomer, so to speak: AR3411, formerly part of AR3405.

Sun activity for August 17, 2023: Double jet from beyond horizon

Sunspot region AR3394 said farewell this morning, with a C3.6 flare from behind the solar horizon. And the sun itself blocked some of the explosion, so it could have been larger than C3.6. The event was notable because it was a double blast; imagery shows two jets being hurled into space simultaneously from two different places in the vicinity of AR3394. The ejecta from both blasts crossed paths as they departed from the sun. However, no coronal mass ejection (CME) is coming our way from this eruption. In other news, specialists are considering whether to split the large sunspot region AR3405 into two separately labeled regions. They need to wait until the sunspot rotates into a more frontal position to complete their analysis and decide if the change is necessary. We will let you know. Finally, Regulus, the brightest star of constellation Leo the Lion, entered the field of view of the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C3 instrument. This bright star will be in transit behind the sun in LASCO C3 imagery for the next few days.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low, as the sun produced only eight C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was the above-mentioned C3.9 flare, fired at 2:46 UTC on August 16 by AR3394 from behind the solar horizon. AR3395 also blasted three Cs from behind the solar horizon – these guys don’t want to leave! Today the sun bears nine numbered sunspots, including three newcomers: AR3408 and AR3410 in the southwest, and AR3409 in the northwest.

Sun activity for August 16, 2023, is low: 2 sunspots depart, 2 new ones arrive

Sun activity has been low for several days. But we saw a good show of solar fireworks along the sun’s west limb (edge) over the past day, as sunspot AR3395 departed in the northwest. It is being moved by the sun’s rotation to the sun’s far side. Likewise, in the southwest, we saw beautiful coronal loops along the limb adorning AR3394, which is also saying farewell. Meanwhile, there are two newcomers today: AR3406 on the southeast and AR3407 on the southwest. All in all it was a quiet day on the sun, with stable sunspots, most of them showing beta magnetic configurations (a relatively simple magnetic configuration, indicating a low probability for strong flares). Of course, the sun could increase in activity at any moment!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. Sunspot AR3403 was the day’s lead flare producer with six C flares, but it wasn’t active enough to bring sun activity overall up to moderate. Yesterday’s lead producer AR3405 blasted five C flares, including the day’s largest: a C2.9 flare. It was fired at 11:33 UTC on August 15. In all, the sun exploded 14 C flares in the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). There are now seven labeled sunspot regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun.

Sun activity for August 15, 2023: New sunspot says hi with an almost-M flare

For the past several days, sun activity has been low. We haven’t seen an M flare since August 8. But we were seeing long-lasting prominences arcing up from the sun’s east limb (edge). And now the reason for the prominences has made its appearance. Newcomer sunspot AR3405 has just turned the corner, rotating into view on our star’s east side. And, as soon as we could see it, it blasted a hello-I’m-here C9.0 flare, almost an M flare. AR3405’s salute took place at 21:10 UTC on August 14. It produced a coronal mass ejection (CME). But, due to AR3405’s location on the extreme east horizon of our sun, the CME isn’t coming our way. This guy, AR3405, is the next active region to keep watching. And there’s another long-lasting prominence on the sun’s east limb just south of this newcomer. So it looks like, at last, some increased action might be coming our way. Stay with us for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low. We’re still seeing only C flares. But we did see an increase in flare production over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), with 13 C flares produced. The largest was AR3405’s C9.0 flare, very near the M-flare boundary. AR3405 was also the lead flare producer of the day, with seven flares out of the day’s 13. There are six labeled sunspot regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun today.

Sun activity for August 14, 2023: Waiting, waiting for action

The August 13-14 sun was even quieter than that of the day before. We had half as many flares as the previous observation period (11 UTC one day to 11 UTC the next). There are few sunspot regions on the Earth-facing solar disk. Those that are there have low magnetic configurations, either alpha or beta. So not much excitement there. The one exception is region AR3395 with a delta region. This region produced three of the five flares recorded in the last 24 hours. As we wait for regions from the opposite side of the sun to rotate into view, AR3395 has the most promise for substantial flaring even if the overall chances are low. In the meantime, we’ll see if any of the filaments on the sun or the current coronal hole bring auroral excitement to Earth. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: The solar calm continues. We observed only five C flares. The largest flare was a C2.1 from AR3395 at 22:34 UTC on August 14, 2023. The Earth-facing sun has six numbered sunspot regions.

Sun activity for August 13, 2023, is still low. STEREO A comes home

Welcome home, STEREO A! The STEREO A (Solar TErrestrial Relations Observatory) spacecraft has orbited the sun for 17 years. It has now reached Earth in its orbit for the first time since its launch in 2006. As its acronym suggests, there were two STEREO spacecraft, A and B. The two launched together from Kennedy Space Center in 2005, leaving Earth in opposite directions around the sun. In 2011, they provided the first-ever stereoscopic view of the sun, the first view from two perspectives at once. It was the first time we’d seen our star as a sphere. Sadly, shortly after the two reached the other side of the sun, and their orbits crossed, controllers lost contact with STEREO B. But STEREO A kept going, and going. Its orbit around the sun – at a distance from the sun similar to Earth’s – ultimately carried back toward Earth itself. STEREO A “lapped” us on August 12, 2023. It will now continue its orbit around the sun and could make it back around again – to sweep past Earth again – in another 17 years. Way to go, STEREO A.
Last 24 hours: The sun was even calmer over these past 24 hours than the day before. Looking over the long term, today’s sun doesn’t appear as what we’d call a quiet sun, like one we’d see during solar minimum. But, in contrast to last week’s sun, crackling with M and X flares, today’s sun is very calm and quiet. Its visible face has only four numbered sunspot regions. We saw 11 C flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest flare of the past day was a C5.2 – from AR3395 – that happened at 23:44 UTC yesterday (August 12). Sunspot region AR3395 in the northwest produced the largest number of flares, seven C flares out of the 11.

Sun activity for August 12, 2023, is low. Faint flares, nice prominences

The sun is calm. It produced only faint C flares during the past day. But prominences – anchored in the sun’s photosphere, extending outward into its hot outer corona – continue around the sun’s visible edge. Those on the east (incoming) edge announce possible action coming from the sun’s far side. Prominences on the west (retreating) side recall past glories (now perhaps continuing – unseen by us – on the far side). There are two newcomer sunspots today, but they remain inactive. The rest of the sunspots on our side of the sun are stable and not showing substantial magnetic complexity. In other words, they don’t appear on the verge of powerful flaring.

Why is the sun so calm? The sun – our mighty star – doesn’t confine itself to Earth’s daily or weekly increments of marking time. It operates on its own schedule. And during this period of calm, the sun continues to build toward the peak of the current solar cycle – known as Solar Cycle 25 to us earthlings – expected in the mid-2020s. So the action might increase at any moment!

Sun activity for August 11, 2023 still low. Prominences take center stage

Sun activity remains low, with smaller-sized flares, but the number of flares has increased. And a nice prominence erupted from the sun’s northeast limb (edge) at around 6 UTC on August 11. It blasted some ejecta into space, but, due to its location, the ejecta is not Earth-directed. Meanwhile, the long-lasting prominence we’ve been watching – on the sun’s southeast limb (edge) – has come to an end. Zzzz.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with only C flares. But the number of flares increased to 18. The largest event of the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today) was a C8.3 flare from AR3395, at 6:45 UTC on August 11. AR3398 became the lead flare producer of the day with ten C flares. Sunspot group AR3395 kept its magnetic complexity with a beta-gamma configuration. AR3394 and AR3399 have a beta configuration, and the rest of the regions are alpha (not much magnetic complexity; hence, a low flaring potential). The sun has six labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side of our sun. No newcomers today.

Sun activity for August 10, 2023, is low, with a long-lasting prominence

With sun activity still low, prominences have been the real attention-grabbers over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The prominence on the sun’s southeastern limb (edge) is especially noteable. It has been hovering in the corona for the past day, with some material escaping the sun and then reforming. Thus, this prominence produced a small southward-directed coronal mass ejection (CME). By the way, the S1 (minor) solar radiation storm created by the August 7 X flare is still going. It’s impacting radio communications around Earth’s North Pole and is expected to last for the rest of today.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. We saw only six C flares over the past day. The largest event was a C5.5 flare from AR3398, at 2:42 UTC on August 10. Active regions AR3398 and AR3399 are the leading flare producers of the day, with two C flares each. Sunspot group AR3395 showed some growth in its magnetic complexity with a beta-gamma configuration. The greater the magnetic complexity, the greater the chance for flaring. AR3394 has a beta configuration, and the rest of the regions are alpha (not much magnetic complexity; hence, a low flaring potential). There are currently seven labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side of our sun. One, AR3399, is a newcomer in the southeast.

Sun activity for August 9, 2023: The calm after the storms, CME misses Earth

Sun activity has suddenly returned to low after yesterday’s X and M flares. Flare productivity lowered to just 10 C flares, although one of these – a C8.8 at 18:10 UTC on August 9 from AR3394 – nearly reached the M flare threshold. We saw activity on the southeast limb (edge), where long-lasting prominences danced all day long. This activity will soon rotate our way from beyond the solar horizon, bringing potential action. On Earth, the expected hit from a coronal mass ejection (CME) never arrived. The CME from August 5 did not provide even a glancing blow. However, there’s a small chance that the CMEs produced by yesterday’s X and M flares will have minor impacts on Earth. These may produce conditions for a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm tomorrow.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with only C class flares. The sun produced ten C flares over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C8.8 flare at 18:10 UTC from AR3394. But AR3387 was the lead flare producer, with five C flares. The sun currently has seven labeled active regions. They remain stable, with only alpha and beta magnetic configurations.

Sun activity for August 8, 2023. BAM! Another X flare from AR3386

Sun activity is high! And sunspot region AR3386 – which just rotated off the Earth-facing side of the sun – produced an X1.5 flare from beyond the northwest solar horizon at 20:46 UTC (15:46 CDT) on August 7. X flares are the strongest category of solar flares. And this flare might be stronger than X1.5, as the sun itself blocked part of it. The flare was a long-duration event. It produced an S1 radiation storm, which can be seen as snow on SOHO‘s LASCO C2 imagery. And it produced an R3 (strong) radio blackout that started at around 20:37 UTC over the west coast of Mexico and ended at approximately 21:51 UTC over the east coast of Hawaii. Due to AR3386’s location beyond the sun’s west limb (edge), the coronal mass ejection (CME) hurled outward during the X flare is probably not Earth-bound. But stay tuned as we wait for analysis, as there’s still a chance that part of the CME might brush past Earth. By the way, it’s worth noting that AR3386 already gave us an X1.6 flare on August 6.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high with the release of an X1.5 flare, plus five Ms and 12 C flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). We saw a very busy northwest, with the majority of the events coming from that area. Here’s a breakdown of the X and M flares (all these flares occurred on August 7 except the M3.6 flare, which was fired on August 8):
M1.0 by AR3387 at 16:11 UTC, R1 (minor) radio blackout over Puerto Rico.
M1.0 by AR3387 at 16:26 UTC, R1 (minor) radio blackout over Puerto Rico.
M1.0 by AR3386 at 16:27 UTC, R1 (minor) radio blackout over Puerto Rico.
M1.4 by AR3387 at 19:51 UTC, R1 (minor) radio blackout over Dominican Republic.
X1.5 by AR3386 at 20:46 UTC. R3 (strong) radio blackout over Mexico and Hawaii.
M3.6 by AR3387 at 9:31 UTC, R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Red Sea.
The lead flare producer of the period was AR3387, launching 13 flares: four Ms and nine Cs. AR3386 continued blasting behind the northwest solar horizon, with four total flares including the X1.5. The sun today has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side. Three are newcomers: AR3396, AR3397 and AR3398.

Sun activity for August 7, 2023, is moderate: Farewell, AR3386

Sunspot group AR3386 gave us another two M flares before rotating out of view. The largest was an M5.5. The event had a clear coronal mass ejection (CME). Given the location of the region – on the sun’s west limb, on the verge of being rotated out of view – it was probably not Earth-directed. But we are awaiting further analysis. AR3386 is gone, but not forgotten. It and maybe even AR3380 can still give us activity over the sun’s limb (edge). Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with the release of an M5.5 flare from AR3386 at 18:20 UTC on August 6. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw a total of 10 flares: two Ms and eight Cs. The M5.5 flare produced an R2 (strong) radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean. The other M flare, M2.2, was at 4:29 UTC on August 7 from AR3386. It produced an R1 radio blackout over Asia. AR3386 produced the most flares of the past day, with the two Ms and five Cs. AR3386 has rotated out of view. But we might still see additional flares or eruptions from it over the next couple of days. The sun has six numbered active regions today.

Sun activity for August 6, 2023 is high: X flare from AR3386!

X flare! We thought AR3386 had promise, and it did not disappoint. Shortly before the end of the day on August 5, the region released a long-duration X1.6 flare near the sun’s west limb (edge). Long-duration events are usually associated with the launch of a coronal mass ejection (CME). And so it was with this event, although AR3386’s position so near the limb of the sun means there will be no direct CME impact at Earth. Still, Earth could experience a glancing blow from this CME on August 8 or 9. Given the energy already pumped into Earth’s magnetic system in recent days, we could see some more enhanced auroral displays. AR3386 currently has a delta magnetic configuration. This could mean more strong flares. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high with the release of an X1.6 at 22:45 UTC on August 5 from AR3386. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw a total of 8 flares: one X and 7 Cs. The X flare produced an R3 (strong) radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean. AR3387 produced the most flares with 5 Cs. The sun has seven numbered active regions today.

Sun activity for August 5, 2023: G3 geomagnetic storm and auroras!

The expected coronal mass ejection (CME) arrived! And the predicted geomagnetic storm was stronger than anticipated. Expectations were for a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm and we received a G3 (strong) storm. BAM! Auroras! The storming threshold was reached at around 3:00 UTC on August 5, 2023. At the time of this writing Earth’s magnetic field is experiencing a G1 (minor) storm. This means auroral displays at northern latitudes, as far south as Oregon and Pennsylvania in U.S. Auroras have been reported in Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, and Arizona. More opportunities for auroras and geomagnetic storming are coming since yesterday’s M2.0 flare by AR3386 analysis shows a glancing blow on August 7, 2023. Around 6:25 UTC on August 5, 2023, we saw a filament eruption in the vicinity of AR3386 sending material into space thru a jet and prominence. We will let you if a component of this ejecta is coming our way after results of modeling and analysis.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw a total of 22 flares: two Ms and 20 Cs. The first M flare was an M1.6 from AR3386 at 07:22 UTC on August 5. Shortly after, an R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over the west coast of India. From the very edge of the solar southwest, active region AR3380 remains the lead flare producer. It released eleven C flares and the second M flare during the period. AR3380 is completely behind the west limb (edge). But it managed to give us the largest flare of the day, an M2.0 flare at 09:36 UTC on August 5, 2023. Afterwards, an R1 (minor) radio blackout occurred over the Red Sea. The sun has seven numbered active regions today.

Sun activity for August 4, 2023: AR3380 slips from the limelight

Finally, an M flare from a region other than AR3380! Sunspot region AR3386 produced an M2.0 flare at 4:24 UTC on August 4. But AR3380 – which had been the only M flare producer of the past week – still wasn’t to be beaten, firing off an M2.1 flare. It will soon rotate out of view, though. Who will be its successor? Will it be AR3386? We’ll see. In the meantime, the fiesta of fiery filaments continues in the area around the disk’s center. Just like earlier in the week, this activity is believed to be due to magnetic fields emerging within the the filament channel structure where the filament rests. This is called filament channel activation. Behaviour like this is to be expected with Solar Cycle 25 approaching its maximum.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw a total of 15 flares: two Ms and 13 Cs. The largest was an M2.1 flare from AR3380, blasted at 11:55 UTC on August 3. Shortly after, an R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over northwest Africa. The second M flare was an M2.0 from AR3386 at 4:24 UTC on August 4. The corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over the South China Sea. The lead flare producer was AR3380 with nine flares: eight Cs and one M. The sun currently has nine labeled active regions. There are two newcomers: AR3394 on the southeast limb (edge) and AR3395 in the northeast.

Sun activity for August 3, 2023 is high! Thanks, sunspot AR3380

Despite the sun’s producing only three M flares, the sheer number of flares – 29 in total over the past day – brings sun activity up to high. Sunspot AR3380 continues its flaring onslaught, firing off 21 of the 26 C flares and all 3 of the M flares. The region has lost its delta configuration, which can be an indicator of M or even X flares. But it has retained some of its magnetic complexity with a beta-gamma structure. It is now nearing the sun’s southwest limb (edge), but we’ll be able to observe its activity for a few more days, even after it passes over the horizon. The filament channel near the Earth-viewed solar disk’s center also continues its activity today, displaying what we call filament channel activation. The channel is the area the filament lies along. Filament channel activation is when the filament continues to regenerate itself as it throws out eruptions in the form of small coronal mass ejections (CMEs). As most of these faint CMEs are Earth-directed, the flurry of small CMEs from the past several days is maintaining the prospect of geomagnetic activity, including possible storming. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high due to the sheer quantity of C and M flares. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced 29 flares: three Ms and 26 Cs. Sunspot AR3380 is the dominant flaring region, with 21 C flares and all three Ms. This is the breakdown of AR3380’s M flares and corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackouts in the past day:
M1.7, the largest, at 14:52 UTC on July 2. R1 (minor) radio blackout over the North Atlantic Ocean.
M1.3 at 16:22 UTC on July 2. R1 (minor) radio blackout over Puerto Rico.
M1.1 at 19:14 UTC on July 2. R1 (minor) radio blackout over the west coast of Mexico.
The sun currently has nine labeled active regions.

Sun activity for August 2, 2023: M flares and a very active filament

Sun activity remains moderate, with four M flares produced over the past day. The Ms all came from region AR3380, which remains lead flare producer. The long filament we reported yesterday has kept up its activity, erupting around 3 UTC on August 2. The ejecta is under analysis to determine if there is an Earth-directed component. The expected coronal mass ejection (CME) we spoke of yesterday arrived with only a weak impact, causing an unsettled magnetic field but no geomagnetic storm. Specialists still anticipate a slight chance for a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm later today.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced 12 flares: four Ms and eight Cs. Sunspot AR3380 is still the lead flare producer with ten of the 12 flares, including the four M flares. The largest of the four was an M1.4 at 14:09 UTC on Aug 1. An R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over the North Atlantic Ocean. The second M flare was an M1.0 at 21:51 UTC on Aug 1, producing an R1 radio blackout over Hawaii. The third was an M1.3 at 8:02 UTC on August 2, producing an R1 radio blackout over the south coast of Saudi Arabia. And at the very end of our observation period, AR3380 blasted a fourth: an M1.2 flare at 10:50 UTC on August 2, producing an R1 radio blackout over North Africa. The sun currently has ten labeled active regions, with newcomer AR3393 emerging on the northeast quadrant.

Sun activity for August 1, 2023: Flurry of flares, as we wait for a storm

Sunspot AR3380 gave us six M flares in a row over the past day. Fun! Each M flare produced a corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout. Here’s the breakdown of AR3380’s M flares and the associated radio blackouts (all times UTC):
M1.0 at 1:56 August 1, R1 over the Mariana Islands.
M1.3 at 2:03 August 1, R1 over the Mariana Islands.
M2.2 at 4:47 August 1, R1 over Cambodia.
M1.3 at 5:37 August 1, R1 over Thailand.
M3.6 at 6:57 August 1, R1 over India.
M1.6 at 9:09 August 1. R1 over the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, here on Earth, G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm is expected today. It’s due to the anticipated arrival of the coronal mass ejection (CME) that the sun hurled our way on July 28. The magnetic cloud might reach us later today, opening an opportunity for auroral displays at northern latitudes. Aurora alert!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced 17 flares: six Ms and 11 Cs. AR3380 was the leading flare producer, firing off the six Ms and ten of the Cs. We also saw two erupting filaments over the past day. The first was a long filament in the northeast quadrant. It appears it was mostly reabsorbed by the sun, but some of it erupted at around 16 UTC on July 31. The second eruption occurred at around 3 UTC on August 1 in the vicinity of AR3392. Both cases are being analyzed to check for any Earth-bound component. The sun currently has ten numbered active regions on its Earth-viewed side. That includes one newcomer, AR3392, on the northeast close to the equator.

The post Sun activity archive for August 2023 first appeared on EarthSky.

Watch a comet take its final plunge into the sun in the image above. Just before a coronal mass ejection (CME) left the sun’s southwest limb (edge), a small, bright, teardrop-shaped object can be seen traveling toward the direction of the erupting plasma. This was a small comet, called a sungrazer. The icy rock has a teardrop shape because the sun’s light and solar wind are evaporating its mass and dragging the cometary material outward, in the form of a tail. The comet fades as it gets closer to the sun, eventually disappearing, evaporating into the solar corona. Meanwhile, here on Earth, space weather forecasters are expecting the arrival of a CME from July 28 early on August 1, 2023. G1 (Minor) to G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storms are expected. Stay tuned for updates and possible aurora sightings from northern latitudes. Details below, under “Current geomagnetic activity.”
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. During the past day, there were seven flares – one M and six C flares – between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest event was an M1.9 at 8:42 UTC on July 31 from AR3390. The event produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout which affected an area over Africa. A filament eruption produced a CME off the southwest limb first observed in LASCO C2 at 17:18 UTC on July 30, 2023. We await further analysis to determine if there is an Earth-directed component.

Sun activity for July 30, 2023: Where did the sun go?

Because of the orbit of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory’s ( SDO), the Earth or moon can sometimes pass in front of the sun as seen from the spacecraft. And that’s what happened in the image above. Not a glitch! An eclipse of the sun by the Earth! Of course, the satellite is designed to maximize the amount of time it can observe the sun. But there are still be a few times when SDO’s view is blocked, sometimes by Earth and sometimes by the moon. When we see the moon move in front of the sun, the edges are sharp because the moon has no atmosphere. When Earth photobombs the sun, the edge is fuzzy because of Earth’s atmosphere. The current SDO eclipse season started on July 20 and ends on August 16, 2023. By the way, we’re expecting a solar storm. See Current Geomagnetic Activity, below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. During the past day, there were 10 flares – three M and seven C flares – between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. AR3390 produced the most flares with two M and two C. The two additional M flares were an M1.4 at 16:11 UTC from AR3380 and an M1.8 at 8:01 UTC from AR3390. The largest event was an M1.9 at 8:18 UTC on July 30 from AR3390. The event produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout which affected an area over Africa. Meanwhile, solar particles from the July 28 M4.1 flare event are still impacting Earth at the S1 radiation storm level. This is limiting certain radio communication bands around the north pole during what is call a polar cap absorption (PCA) event. The sun today has 10 numbered active regions, with new region AR3391 on the SE limb (edge).

Sun activity for July 29, 2023: Huge explosion beyond the northwest limb

A huge eruption took place on the northwest limb (edge). It occurred just over the limb from the now departed region AR3372. And it produced an M4.1 flare at 15:58 UTC on July 28. Actually, because the region was partially blocked by the sun, it was most certainly larger than an M4.1. It launched a beautiful coronal mass ejection (CME) and shortly afterward a solar particle storm. Due to its position over the limb (edge), the CME is probably not Earth-directed. But it is still under analysis. In addition, a filament erupted in the northeast around 20:30 UTC on July 28. The dark material ejected indicates that the erupting material was cooler than its surrounding. The event is under analysis to determine if there is an Earth-directed component.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. During the past day, there were 11 flares – one M and 10 C flares – between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest and only M flare was an M4.1 at 15:52 UTC on July 28 from AR3372. Besides, the event produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout which affected an area over the east coast of Puerto Rico. It also produced a bright coronal mass ejection (CME) and a solar particle storm at the S2 level. The solar particles reached the storm level at 17:45 UTC on July 28. AR3390 is the lead producer of the period with three C class flares. The sun today has 10 numbered active regions with a newcomer, AR3390, on the southeast limb (edge).

Sun activity for July 28, 2023: Newcomer AR3388 salutes AR3376’s departure

Sun activity remains moderate after an M1.8 flare from newcomer AR3388. AR3376, the most active sunspot today and during the past week, has just rotated out of view. An active east limb (edge) is coming our way, with three newcomers: AR3387, AR3388, and AR3389. Will one of these regions continue where AR3376 left off? AR3388 is off to a good start, making its presence known with the only M flare of the past day. SOHO‘s LASCO C3 instrument registered a big coronal mass ejection (CME) at around 0:06 UTC in the northeast. No flare has been associated with the blast, indicating that it occurred on the sun’s far side, so no CME is headed our way.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. The sun produced one M and 17 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest and only M flare was an M1.8 at 22:34 UTC on July 27 from AR3388. The event produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout which affected an area over Hawaii. AR3376 remained the lead producer until its departure from the Earth-facing disk, producing 12 of the day’s 17 C flares. The sun today has ten numbered active regions, including three newcomers: AR3387 on the northeast quadrant, and AR3388 and AR3389 in the southeast.

Sun activity for July 27, 2023: Back-to-back M flares from AR3376

Sun activity continues at moderate levels. Flare production increased to 24 flares during the past day. Sunspot AR3376 gave us a one, two punch of M flares and then another M at the end of our observation window. AR3377 continues to produce small jets, filament eruptions and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). It has been active during most of its transit across the sun. It will soon rotate out of view. The sigmoid or ‘S’ shaped filament persists across the northeast disk. Stay tuned for more action from our star.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. During the past day, the sun produced 24 flares, three Ms and 21 Cs between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The first and largest M was an M2.0 flare at 15:59 UTC followed by an M1.1 at 16:13 UTC both on July 26. The last flare of the this observing period was an M1.9 at 9:48 UTC on July 26. All the M flares came from AR3376. The first two M flares produced R1 (minor) radio blackouts affecting an area over the east coast in Puerto Rico with the last one over south Egypt and the Red Sea. The lead flare producer was AR3376 with 16 flares including the three Ms. The sun has ten numbered active regions. We have two newcomers, AR3385 on the southwest quadrant and AR3386 on the northeast limb (edge).

Sun activity for July 26, 2023: Minor geomagnetic storm… and more coming!

A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm occured earlier today. The long-awaited storm arrived early in the form of a shock wave, causing the geomagnetic field to reach the G1 (KP = 5) threshold at 0:01 UTC. The threshold was reached again at 5:09 UTC, and there’s probably more to come. NOAA forecasters have issued a G1 alert, and anticipate more G1 conditions through the rest of the day and tomorrow. All of this means … auroras! Aurora chasers, get your cameras out and polish your lenses. Turning to the sun itself, we observed what appeared to be a double M1.6 flare at around 21:16 UTC on July 25. AR3380 and AR3376 both flashed at almost exactly the same time from the southeast and northwest of the sun, respectively. While it looked like the flare came from both regions, it was not really a double flare; the peak flash came from AR3380.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains moderate, but flaring production is increasing. We saw a total of 19 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, with three M flares and 16 Cs. The largest event was an M4.6 at 10:17 UTC on July 26 from AR3376. The next largest was the M1.6 from AR3380 at 21:16 UTC on July 25. The last was an M1.2 flare at 4:28 UTC on July 27 from AR3376. Shortly after each M flare, a corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout was observed. The first affected an area over Africa, the second an area off the west coast of Mexico, and the third occurred over Laos. The leading flare producer of the period was AR3376 with eight flares. The sun currently has nine numbered active regions, including newcomer AR3384 on the southeast limb (edge).

Sun activity for July 25, 2023: M flare and a full-halo CME

Sun activity is moderate, with the production of an isolated M1.5 flare by AR3376 on July 25. Although this sunspot region is now located close to the northwest limb (edge), the resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) is still being modeled to check for any Earth-directed component. SOHO‘s LASCO C3 instruments registered an asymmetric full-halo CME around 18:00 UTC on July 24, with more of its mass located in the southwest. No corresponding flare was observed on the Earth-facing side of the sun, meaning it was a back-sided event. During the past day we also observed several jets and small eruptions in the vicinity of AR3377, which sent faint CMEs into space.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with the production of an M1.5 flare at 2:03 UTC from AR3376 on July 25. The sun also produced 11 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. Shortly after the M flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout occurred over the Philippine Sea east of Taiwan. The lead flare producer of the period was AR3373 with five C flares. The sun currently has nine numbered active regions. Three are newcomers: AR3381, AR3382 and AR3383.

Sun activity for July 24, 2023: CME glancing blow headed our way

Sun activity is low, with only C flares today. During this overall lull in activity the sun did throw a coronal mass ejection partially our way. The CME was associated with a C5.2 flare from AR3376 on July 23, 2023. This event off the sun’s northwest limb (edge) – combined with the first filament eruption of yesterday – are expected to provide Earth with a glancing blow midday July 27, 2023. Otherwise, the sun was quiet without even any significant filament or prominence eruptions. Meanwhile, helioseismology is showing some potentially large sunspot activity on the sun’s far side. Time will tell.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back at low levels. The sun produced 13 C flares during the past day between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C9.1 from sunspot region AR3373 at 3:08 UTC on July 24, 2023. The sun currently has seven numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for July 23, 2023: Beautiful prominence, 2 exploding filaments

Sun activity is low with the production of only six C flares during the past day. There have been low flare levels, overall. Peaks of intense activity followed by a calm will continue as we approach to the peak of Solar Cycle 25. It is normal for sun activity to slow down after a few days of high activity. Nevertheless, the sun granted us with a gorgeous prominence close to its north pole. One of these long-lasting prominences dancing in the vicinity of north polar region detached and hurled a coronal mass ejection into space. But the CME was too far north to come our way at Earth. On the other hand, a couple of filament eruptions were observed on the solar northeast quadrant. The first occurred at around 14 UTC on July 22, 2023 above the sigmoid structure on the trans-equatorial long filament we reported yesterday. Shortly afterwards, a second exploding filament occurred in the vicinity of sunspot region AR3379. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed to be hurled into space during the events. Modeling and analysis of the ejecta is still undergoing to find any component coming our way at Earth. Stay with us.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back at low levels. The sun produced only six C class flares during the past day between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C9.9 exploded at 04:54 UTC by AR3373 on July 23, 2023. AR3373 share places with AR3372 as both blasted two C flares during the period. The sun currently shows six numbered active regions on its side view from Earth.

Sun activity for July 22, 2023: Weak CME arrival on Earth, 2 M flares on the sun

The coronal mass ejection (CME) arrival that we anticipated yesterday resulted only in a weak unsettling of Earth’s magnetic field. Like the first CME arrival yesterday, this second impact brought geomagnetic disturbance at a Kp = 4 level (a step lower than the lowest threshold on the NOAA scale). Turning back to the sun, it was looking like a calm day with only five C flares … but then, BAM BAM! A couple of M flares were fired on the northwest quadrant. The culprits were sunspots AR3372 and AR3372. Elsewhere, we observed a trans-equatorial long filament – take a look at the imagery below. When a similar long filament exploded earlier this year, it provoked high levels of magnetic disturbance on Earth, so this one is worth keeping an eye on!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with the production of two M flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was an M3.2, exploded by sunspot AR3372 at 3:37 UTC, July 22. The second was an M1.0 by AR3373 at 4:16 UTC, July 22. Flaring productivity is low with a total of just seven flares: five Cs and the two Ms. Both M flares provoked a corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout. The M3.2 flare’s blackout affected an area over Okinawa Island in Japan, while the M1.0 affected an area over the south coast of China. AR3373 produced three flares during the period, making it the lead flare producer of the day. This region is now not only the largest, but the most magnetically complex region, having developed a beta-gamma-delta configuration. This configuration means this it has the potential for more M flares and even X flares. And, due to its current geoeffective position, any big blast and coronal mass ejection (CME) would come directly our way! The sun currently bears six numbered active regions.

Sun activity for July 21, 2023: CME arrival, geomagnetic storms incoming

Earth’s magnetic field has been hit by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on July 17. Levels of magnetic disturbance reached Kp = 4 (not enough to register on the NOAA scale) at 17:08 UTC on July 20. A second CME arrival is anticipated later today, possibly bringing a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm. This could mean auroral displays in northern latitudes, as well as far down the Southern Hemisphere – aurora chasers, good luck! Share your beautiful photos with us at EarthSky Community Photos. Turning our eyes to SOHO‘s LASCO C3 imagery, we observed an appearance from Pollux, one the brightest stars of the Gemini constellation. Check it out below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity has come to a rest. Flaring intensity and productivity are both low, with only five C class flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C9.7 from sunspot AR3373 at 19:49 UTC on July 20. Rounded up, this could be considered an M flare, which would have placed sun activity at moderate . But since we saw so few flares, solar activity is considered low. AR3373 and AR3379 are joint-lead flare producers, with two flares each. AR3373 is currently the largest sunspot on the Earth-viewed solar disk, and is now showing a beta-gamma configuration. It has also just reached a geoeffective position, so any major flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) by this active region will be directed toward us at Earth. There are currently seven labeled sunspot active regions on the Earth-side of our sun. No newcomers today.

Sun activity for July 20, 2023. Big northwest blast, AR3363 M flaring from afterlife

An enormous explosion on the northwest quadrant in the vicinity of AR3372 occurred at around 22:37 UTC on July 19. The blast was associated with a C3.0 flare from a long filament explosion by an unnumbered region located between AR3372 and the northwest limb (edge). The flare was accompanied by a gorgeous dancing prominence and a coronal mass ejection (CME) that we saw being hurled into space. Initially, specialists found the bulk of the ejecta too far north to be Earth-directed. Modeling and analysis, however, will continue as soon as coronagraph imagery is available. Almost simultaneously with the eye-catching blast, a filament on the southwest sent a jet of plasma hurtling into space. It was fairly large, but compared with the huge explosion and prominence, it looks quite small! In the meantime, our departed hero AR3363 is still throwing out M flares. It has already rotated beyond the solar southwest horizon, but is continuing to produce registered M flares. Even larger flares could very well be occurring beyond our field of view!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains moderate. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we observed 14 flares. Two of these were M flares, and the rest were C flares. Both Ms were blasted by sunspot region AR3363 from beyond the solar horizon on the southwest. The first was an M1.4 at 11:07 UTC, July 19, and the second – the largest of the period – was an M3.8 flare that exploded at 17:25 UTC, July 19. Shortly after each M flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout was registered over Earth’s sunlit northern hemisphere. The lead flare producer is still AR3363, despite having rotated beyond the southwest solar horizon. The sun today bears eight labeled active regions on its Earth-viewed side. Two are newcomers: AR3378 on the southeast quadrant, and AR3379 on the northeast limb (edge).

Sun activity for July 19, 2023, is going strong! 3 Ms and a CME on its way

For the second day in a row, we’ve seen one, two, three M flares in quick succession. This time the back-to-back M flares came from AR3363 and AR3376. The three Ms exploded in the span of less than an hour, with the largest being an M2.1 flare from AR3363 at 20:27 UTC on July 18. Now at the very edge of the southwest limb, giant sunspot AR3363 continues flaring and is, once again, the lead flare producer of the day. What a spot! Today’s other M flare producer, AR3376, is showing an interesting north-south magnetic configuration and an anti-Hale alignment, meaning that its magnetic field is reversed compared to other sunspots in the same solar hemisphere. This may be a factor in its production of M flares, and could be a source for more blasts as AR3376 transits the Earth-viewed side of our sun. We’ll watch closely. By the way, yesterday’s M5.7 flare from AR3363 continues to be the source of discussion. The highly energetic long-duration flare created a polar cap absorption S1 particle event, and a coronal mass ejection (CME) with a partial halo. Despite having occurred far to the southwest, a component of this CME is anticipated to reach us at Earth with a glancing blow on July 20, which may bring G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms and auroral displays. Aurora-chasers, get ready!
Last 24 hours: Solar activity is now considered moderate. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today we observed 17 flares: three Ms and 14 Cs. The first two M flares were produced by AR3376 – an M1.3 at 19:48 UTC and an M1.4 at 20:05 UTC – and the third and largest was an M2.1 flare from AR3363 at 20:27 UTC (all on July 18). After each M blast, an R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over the west coast of Mexico by Baja California. The leading flare producer of the period was sunspot AR3363, sitting at the very edge of southwest limb in a foreshortened position that makes it difficult to analyze fully. It produced eight flares, the M included. The sun today bears seven labeled active regions on its Earth-viewed side.

Sun activity for July 18, 2023, is high! At Earth, a geomagnetic storm

AR3363 kicked things into gear at the end of July 17, with three back-to-back M flares. We observed an M2.7, an M5, and finally a long-duration M5.7, strong enough to bring activity levels to high. This long-awaited action from AR3363 comes as it has nearly rotated out of view. The M5.7 produced a spectacular eruption, firing out a coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME is not heading directly for Earth, but NASA’s modeling forecasts a glancing blow on July 20. The location of the eruption is very conducive to a particle event. This is due to the way that the sun’s magnetic field spirals away toward us, like a particle highway providing a direct route from the sun to Earth. An S1 particle storm was measured at the GOES spacecraft. Meanwhile at Earth, the anticipated G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm was observed late on July 17 to early July 18.
Last 24 hours:  The production of three back-to-back M flares, one of them surpassing the M5 threshold, has raised the sun activity level to high. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today we observed 17 flares: four Ms and 13 Cs. The largest was an M5.7 flare by sunspot AR3363, blasted at 0:06 UTC on July 18. Here’s the breakdown of the M flares, with all times in UTC:
M2.7 from AR3363 at 22:54 on July 17,
M5.0 from AR3363 at 23:34 on July 17,
M5.7 from AR3363 at 0:06 on July 18, the largest,
M1.5 flare from an unnumbered active region on the northeast limb (edge) at 6:56 on July 18.
Each M flare caused a corresponding radio blackout:
R1 (minor) at 22:57, affecting an area over Hawaii,
R2 (moderate) at 23:34 affecting an area over the Pacific Ocean,
R2 (moderate) at 0:06 affecting an area over the Pacific Ocean,
R1 (minor) at 6:56 affecting an area over India.
The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side. Three are newcomers: AR3375, AR3376, and AR3377.

Sun activity for July 17, 2023: CME or CMEs arrive, sun action continues

The shock wave from a coronal mass ejection CME arrived at Earth at 19:20 UT on July 16. The arrival was earlier than anticipated. But it is not clear if the CME (or CMEs) was (were) just faster, or if it was from a different CME than anticipated. There were several events and the available imagery was limited, making a definitive determination difficult. So this could have been due to the predicted cannibal CME (see yesterday’s entry, below) or one of the other events over the past few days. The arrival disturbed the geomagnetic field enough to cause a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm at 23:59 UT on July 16. The storm lasted for a few hours, but was otherwise unremarkable. AR3363 has almost rotated out of view but not without giving us an M4 flare.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with two M flares. The largest event was an M4.0 from AR3363 at 17:36 UT. This caused an R1 radio blackout over the sun-facing side of Earth. The sun also produced 20 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. AR3372 has not lived up to its beta-gamma-delta magnetic complexity while the simpler AR3373 produced the most of the C flares. There has been a lot of continued jet and ejecta action from AR3363 along with a few scattered small filament eruptions on the disk. An unnumbered region on the southeast limb (edge) looks promising so we wait to see what it brings. The sun currently has five labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for July 16, 2023: Cannibal CME and backside activity

The July 14 dark spray coronal mass ejection (CME) event is expected to overtake a July 15 CME. This is often called a cannibal CME. Neither event has a strong Earth-directed component. But the interaction has a good chance of knocking more of the plasma cloud into the sun-Earth line. If it happens, it would create a stronger Earth-directed component (stronger than zero). And that could means auroras. Meanwhile, on the sun, sunspot region AR3363 has kept its delta region. And now the previously active AR3372 has developed more magnetic complexity, a beta-gamma-delta configuration. The more complex the sunspot, the greater the potential for large flares. On the backside of the sun, a large region is still indicated by heliosiesmology. The region may be the origin of several (at least three) large CME related waves from the backside. These are apparent in the SUVI imagery on the west limb (edge) of the sun.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with an M1.1 flare from AR3372 at 8:16 UTC on July 16. This flare caused an R1 radio blackout over the sun facing side of Earth. The sun also produced 14 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The sun currently has six labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for July 15, 2023: Spectacular dark filament eruption

AR3370 has grabbed our attention, launching a dark filament that fanned out across the solar disk. The region had been rather inactive until it released a C8.8 flare around 18:30 UTC on July 14. This was immediately followed by the dark filament eruption from the eastern side of the region. This created a dark spray that fanned out toward the west. The spray was dark because the filament material was much cooler than the surrounding material. The resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) likely has an Earth-directed component, but we await further analysis. We also saw a Type II radio burst from an M2.2 flare by AR3372, which is indicative of a CME. This event may also have an Earthward component, and analysis is ongoing. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with an M2.9 flare from AR3363 along with an M1.1 and an M2.2 back-to-back from AR3372. The sun also produced 19 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The M2.9, which was fired at 7:21 UTC on July 15, caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. AR3363 was the day’s leading flare producer, with the M2.9 and ten Cs. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for July 14, 2023: Anniversary of the Bastille Day event

Flaring quantity has dropped, with only 10 produced over the past day, but an M2.1 flare by AR3372 has raised the activity level to moderate. We’ve been observing a fiery northwest limb, where a filament erupted in the vicinity of AR3361. This region will soon rotate out of view. Elsewhere, the largest region on the sun, AR3363, has been showering space with surges and jets of solar plasma. While we’ve seen many coronal mass ejections (CMEs) produced, none have been Earth-directed. We have seen some full halo CME events, but these have largely been from the sun’s back side. Helioseismology shows a large active region on the other side of the sun, which is the likely culprit. Today is the 23rd anniversary of the famous (or perhaps infamous) Bastille Day event of 2000. The X5.7 flare and powerful solar particle event were captured by the SOHO and TRACE spacecraft. This event was not only spectacular, but it caused many problems for satellites and communications. It even did some damage to SOHO, our solar watchdog. And the resulting geomagnetic storm created auroras seen as far south as Texas in the United States. This was definitely one to remember!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with the production of an M2.1 flare by AR3372. This occurred at 19:20 UTC on July 13. The sun also produced nine C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over Baja California and the west coast of Mexico. AR3372 was the day’s leading flare producer, with four Cs and the M flare. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for July 13, 2023: Calm after AR3372’s storm

After arriving with a bang (or seven) yesterday, M flare-producing AR3372 has calmed down today, dropping activity from high to low. Now that it is more fully in view, we can see that AR3372 has only a simple magnetic complexity. We assume it was more complex when it was producing the M flares, and that it lost its complexity after shedding the energetic flares. We’ll watch and see if it regains some of its potential. Elsewhere, AR3361 has reached the central meridian in the sun’s southern hemisphere. This puts it into a more geoeffective location, meaning that any coronal mass ejections (CMEs) it releases will be heading our way on Earth. A filament in the area erupted yesterday, unleashing a full halo CME. The region has continued to produce surges and sprays (see the SDO 304 angstrom imagery below), but no new CMEs were observed in SOHO’s LASCO C2 or C3 coronagraphs.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity has returned to low. The sun produced 15 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C9.4 flare from AR3372 at 5:21 UTC on July 13. AR3372 produced the most flares, with 11 Cs. Most sunspot groups currently on the sun have relatively simple magnetic complexity, except for AR3363 with its beta-delta configuration. The sun currently has 10 labeled active regions on its Earth facing side, but in the past day that number momentarily reached 12.

Sun activity for July 12, 2023: Newcomer AR3372 brings a flurry of flares!

A new active region on our sun has arrived in style! AR3372 roared over the northeast limb (edge) with seven M flares in the past 24 hours. Three of those flares were above the M5 threshold, bringing sun activity levels to high. Not to be outdone, AR3361, AR3366, and AR3368 each gave us an M flare during the period, but they were no match for AR3372. Because it’s only just coming into view, the region is too foreshortened to fully characterize its size and complexity, but all indications suggest it’s an impressive sunspot group. Elsewhere, we observed a number of erupting filaments producing coronal mass ejection (CMEs). At the moment, none of the events have an obvious Earth-directed component. A full halo event was observed by the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C2 and C3 instruments at around 16:48 UTC on July 11, but it appears that the explosion occurred on the far side of our sun.
Last 24 hours: Newcomer AR3372 on the northeast limb (edge) raised sun activity to high with the production of seven M flares over the past day. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today we observed a total of ten M flares and 11 Cs. The largest was an M7.0 blasted at 8:55 UTC by AR3372 on July 12. Here’s the breakdown of the M flares, with all times in UTC:
M2.0 at 14:35 by AR3372 on July 11
M1.2 at 16:12 by AR3372 on July 11
M6.8 at 18:08 by AR3372 on July 11
M1.0 at 19:29 by AR3372 on July 11
M5.8 at 22:15 by AR3372 on July 11
M1.3 at 23:37 by AR3368 on July 11
M1.4 at 0:31 by AR3366 on July 12
M1.4 at 4:50 by AR3372 on July 12
M1.4 at 5:14 by AR3361 on July 12
M7.0 at 8:55 by AR3372 on July 12, the largest.
Every M flare produced a radio blackout on the sunlit side of our planet, and the largest Ms created R2 (moderate) radio blackouts:
M6.8 at 18:00, affecting an area over México and the U.S.
M5.8 at 22:15, affecting an area over Hawaii.
M7.0 at 8:55, affecting an area over Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf.
The leading flare producer of the period was AR3372, which released 13 flares: seven Ms and six Cs. The sun currently has 11 labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for July 11, 2023: Who fired the flare, AR3358 or AR3366?

Sunspot AR3358 is back in business … or is it? Yesterday, we noticed a return of this rather faint active region, which looked too small to produce larger flares. So we were then surprised to read that it had fired off an M flare yesterday evening. However, all was not as it seemed. After checking through the data and with other experts, it appears that the true culprit was actually AR3366, not AR3358. This is what astrophysicists call source confusion; when you have many players bunched together in the field, it can be hard to tell who did what. Elsewhere on the sun, we observed a spectacular prominence on the northwest limb (edge). The blast was registered by the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C3 instrument as a partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME). Since it originated from the back side of the sun, there’s a chance that it came from our old friend AR3354. We can’t be sure without the ability to observe the other side of the sun. But, using helioseismology, we have been able to detect a very large sunspot on the sun’s reverse where AR3354 should be, so there’s a good chance that this was the case. Perhaps the region will make it back around for another exciting transit across the Earth-viewed sun. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with the production of an M1.5 flare by AR3366. The flare occurred at 22:18 UTC on July 10. We observed an increase in flaring productivity over the past day: a total of 22 flares were produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, of which one was an M flare and the rest were Cs. AR3366 produced the second most flares, with nine including the M flare. The most prolific producer was an as-yet-unnumbered region on the northeast limb, which produced ten of the 22 flares. Shortly after the M flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over Hawaii. At the time of this writing, the sun has ten labeled active regions, but momentarily during the day it reached 11. A newcomer has come into view on the southeast limb (edge), now numbered AR3370.

Sun activity for July 10, 2023: False claims about auroras spread

An article circulating on CBS News, AP News and other media outlets suggests (erroneously) that the middle of this month – July 2023 – is going to be an exceptional time to see auroras in the U.S. The suggestion is that the auroras will be due to geomagnetic storms expected around July 13. This information is false. There are no observations of solar activity that would indicate an exceptional auroral display in mid-July 2023. The article points to predictions from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute’s aurora forecast. We use that source, too; it’s a good source. But the predictions for July 13 have no support from observations. The article also points out (correctly) that auroras occur more frequently around equinoxes. And so they do. But the article then states (incorrectly) that equinoxes are the time of most daylight. Wrong. The solstices, not the equinoxes, bring the longest days. The equinoxes are when night and day are roughly equal. There are several other inaccuracies or misleading statements in these fast-spreading articles about auroras in mid-July 2023. To keep up with the best times to see auroras, stay tuned to this page. We try to sift through all the data from the noise, to give you the most clear and accurate answers that science can provide.
Last 24 hours: Sunspot region AR3358 released a surprising M2.4 flare, shortly before decaying away. The region was very small and non-complex, so a moderate-to-large flare wasn’t expected. The flare erupted early today (3:39 UTC on July 10, 2023) and an associated filament eruption produced a coronal mass ejection (CME) off the sun’s southwest limb (edge). Thanks to this flare, sun activity is now considered moderate. There were 18 C flares and an M flare over the past 24 hours (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The sun currently has 10 numbered sunspot regions. AR3358, which was just southwest of AR3366, has lost is number since it produced the M2.4 flare and afterwards decayed. AR3368 and AR3369 just emerged. These regions, along with AR3360 and AR3367, have grown while the rest have remained stable or decayed. By the way, the largest region, AR3363, is still visible without magnification from here on Earth if you are wearing the proper eye protection.

Sun activity for July 9, 2023: A calm day in the neighborhood

Today is a relatively calm day on the sun. However, looking at the four panel animation of the past 24 hours of our star shows that nearing solar maximum, even a calm day has a lot happening. In the red 304 angstrom images, we can see prominences on the limb (edge), darker filaments on the solar disk, and the bright active regions over sunspots. The 171 angstrom images show large solar magnetic loops, including one on the eastern limb that goes across the equator. It’s aptly called a transequatorial loop. The 193 angstrom images highlight the dark coronal holes, one in the northeast and one in the southeast. The last set of white light – or continuum – images shows sunspots that sit in the photosphere, under the bright active regions in the first three images.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. There were 22 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C5.6 flare from AR3366 at 23:37 UTC on July 8. AR3361 was the past day’s lead flare producer with eight C flares. The sun currently has ten numbered sunspot regions.

Sun activity for July 8, 2023: 3 sunspot regions hold promise

Activity on the sun has calmed for now with the departure of AR3354, but three regions hold promise. The largest region, AR3363, is visible without magnification from here on Earth if you are wearing the proper eye protection. AR3361 is providing the most flaring activity at the moment and is showing a beta-delta magnetic configuration. This could be the sign of larger flaring to come, including M or possibly X flares. The last region of note is AR3366, sitting large in the southwest. With the other sunspot regions remaining stable or decaying, we’re looking at these three for the next round of action on the sun. Geomagnetic action could be on its way, too; there are now two coronal holes on the earth-viewed solar disk, whose fast solar wind may give us some exciting geomagnetic activity at Earth soon. In other news, the LASCO C3 instrument on the SOHO spacecraft caught a parting shot of Mercury as it leaves its field of view. Check it out below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low. There were only 11 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C4.2 flare from AR3361 in the northeast quadrant at 1:44 UTC on July 8. This sunspot, AR3361, was the past day’s lead flare producer with five C flares. The sun currently has nine numbered sunspot regions.

Sun activity for July 7, 2023: Unbelievable! One more M flare by AR3354

Just when we thought it had finally departed, sunspot AR3354 showed us it had some more flaring up its sleeve! Yesterday’s M flare was not its last, as we had thought. From behind the solar limb (edge), AR3354 released an M1.1 flare which peaked at 11:16 UTC on July 6. However, the flare was probably larger, as our view of the event was partially blocked by the sun’s horizon. Meanwhile, the coronal mass ejection (CME) from July 4 has arrived. We observed a rise in activity on Earth’s magnetic field this morning, and the threshold for a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm is expected to be reached later today. Auroras should be on the way!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. Two M flares were produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. One was the M1.1 flare by AR3354 that we mentioned above. The second, and largest, was an M4.0 from AR3359 at 6:29 UTC on July 7. The sun also produced eight C flares for a total of 10 flares for the day. After each M flare there was a corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackout. The M1.1 flare affected an area over the Atlantic Ocean, while the radio blackout from the M4.0 affected an area over Nepal and Mount Everest. The sun currently has eight numbered active regions. There are a couple of newcomers: AR3363 on the southeast limb (edge), which is looking pretty big, and tiny AR3364 showing faintly on the northeast quadrant.

Sun activity for July 6, 2023: M flare, CME arrival early July 7

Sunspot AR3354 left with a final hurrah: an M1.0 flare. The blast occurred late on July 5, 2023, at 18:58 UTC while this active region was partially out of view. At the moment of this writing (around 11 UTC), AR3354 has completely disappeared behind the solar horizon on the northwest. But it’s still making its presence known. Turning back to Earth, the coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with a flare from AR3359 around 4 UTC on July 4 should arrive early July 7. NOAA has issued a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm alert. Aurora chasers, get ready to bring out your cameras and equipment! And don’t forget to share your beautiful photos with us. Submit them to EarthSky Community Photos. Stay tuned for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate today with the production of an M1.0 flare by sunspot AR3354 before it completely departed. The explosion occurred at 18:58 UTC on July 5 with the giant sunspot almost entirely behind the northwest limb (edge). Shortly after the flare an R1 (minor) radio blackout occurred over México. Total flaring production during the past day between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today was 18 flares, 17 Cs and the M1.0 flare. AR3354 was the lead flare producers with eight flares including the M1.0. Just before this writing it gave a C2.9 flare at 09:52 UTC on July 6. The sun has six labeled active regions, with a large newcomer, AR3362, rotating into view on the southeast limb (edge).

Sun activity for July 5, 2023: Prolific AR3354 departs, 2 CMEs on the way

Sun activity has reached moderate with an M flare from prolific flare-producer AR3354, just as it’s departing from view on the northwest limb (edge). Meanwhile, over on the southeast limb, we’ve seen some beautiful prominences and loops coming from behind the horizon. That means there’s an active region heading our way. Will it continue where AR3354 left off? Let’s wait and see. Meanwhile, two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) fired in the past two days have been confirmed to be Earth-directed. The first arrival is predicted for late July 6 to early July 7, likely bringing a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm. Get more detail below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate today. Before departing, the giant sunspot group AR3354 – which has brought us an X flare, several Ms and many Cs – released an au revoir M1.5 flare at 12:35 UTC on July 4. Shortly after the M flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout registered, affecting an area over Morocco on the northwest coast of Africa. AR3354 was, once again, the lead flare producer of the past day. It fired 16 flares out of the 19 produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. Its output included the M1.5, along with 15 Cs. AR3354 is showing some decay as it departs, and its current position almost over the northwest solar horizon makes it difficult to give a complete classification. The sun currently has six numbered active regions, including newcomer AR3361. This region appeared east of AR3360 on the northeast solar quadrant.

Sun activity for July 4, 2023: Solar Cycle 25 surpasses Solar Cycle 24’s peak

Solar Cycle 25 has exceeded expectations, with its June 2023 sunspot count surpassing the maximum reached by Solar Cycle 24. A couple of weeks ago we reported that the sun had 16 labeled sunspots on its Earth-facing side, a high point for the year. We mentioned that this high point could help to record a peak for Solar Cycle 25, and today it is confirmed: the sunspot count for June 2023 reached 163, beating Solar Cycle 24’s highest monthly value of 146 back in February 2014. We have not seen a count like this since September 2002. This points to Solar Cycle 25 being stronger than its predecessor and stronger than predicted. Solar Cycle 25’s current levels are a year and a half to two years ahead of the forecast. And we have not reached the solar maximum yet … So, more action is on its way!
Last 24 hours: While Solar Cycle 25’s activity is exceeding expectations, activity on the sun today is low, with only 19 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C8.9 from sunspot AR3360 at 21:12 UTC on July 3. The past day’s lead flare producer was AR3358, with seven flares. The previous leader, yesterday’s X1.1 producer AR3354, fired off four C flares. It’s showing decay and is almost over the edge on the northwest limb, but it still retains its delta configuration. Will it release another powerful flare before departing? We’ll see. The sun currently has six numbered active regions on its Earth-facing side. Stay tuned!

Sun activity for July 3, 2023: The sun releases an X1.1 flare

Sun activity reached high levels thanks to an X1.1 flare from the giant region AR3354. No fear, however, as it has not produced any ejecta that is Earth-directed. AR3354 has kept its magnetic complexity of beta-gamma-delta, and its size has increased to an area equivalent to the surface area of approximately seven Earths. Although the eruption did not appear to produce any plasma ejecta, there were some very tall loops after the flare. These are appropriately called post-flare loops. The region will soon rotate out of view, but don’t count it out. Even once it’s no longer visible, we could still see large eruptions from around the limb (edge). The combination of the region’s magnetic configuration and having already produced an X flare raised the chances for another X flare from 10 to 25%. This is the 18th X flare of SC25 (solar cycle 25) so far, while SC24 had 14 X flares total. It’s getting interesting, and we most certainly have a lot more activity to look forward to over the next several years. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours:  Sun activity is high with an X1.1 flare from AR3354 at 22:54 UTC on July 2, 2023. A total of 16 flares were produced including the X1.1 flare, an M1.4 from AR3358 at 6:43 UTC on July 3, 2023, along with 14 C flares. The X flare created an R3 radio blackout over the Pacific, and the M flare caused an R1 radio blackout over Asia. The sun currently has seven labeled active regions.

Sun activity for July 2, 2023: Surprise region turns up the action

Sun activity has again reached moderate levels, but it’s not because of AR3354. The surprise culprit of two M flares is AR3359. This region is fairly small and only has minor magnetic complexity, yet it gave us the M flares along with a lot of jet activity. We expected the next big eruption from AR3354, given that it has magnetic complexity with its beta-gamma-delta classification. We wait to see if AR3354 picks up, or if AR3359 will keep the action going. Or maybe both regions will kick it up a notch. You can still see AR3354 without any magnification, as long as you wear the proper eye protection. But you’ll have to catch it soon, as it’s now located on the northwest quadrant and will soon rotate out of view. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours:  Sun activity is moderate with 14 C flares and two M flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest event was an M2.1 flare from AR3359 on 2:29 UTC on July 2. The second largest event was an M1.1 from AR3359 on 22:07 UTC on July 1. Both flares produces R1 radio blackouts over the sun-facing side of Earth. AR3359 produced seven of the flares including the two M flares. The sun currently has six labeled active regions.

Sun activity for July 1, 2023: Meet the gentle giant AR3354

Today, while sun activity is back to low, gentle giant sunspot region AR3354 draws our attention. We saw it for the first time on Monday, June 26, when it emerged from nothing on the northeast solar quadrant. Within 24 hours it grew in size and magnetic complexity, developing its configuration from beta to beta-gamma-delta. The greater the magnetic complexity, the greater the potential for more powerful flares. It stands out as the largest sunspot on the Earth-facing side of the sun, close to the surface area of five Earths. You can still see it without any magnification, as long as you wear the proper eye protection. But you’ll have to catch it soon, as it’s now located on the northwest quadrant and will soon rotate out of view. It’s been the leading flare producer of the past week, with an output that included some M flares. So why do we call it gentle? Well, with its level of magnetic complexity, it has the potential for larger M flares and even X flares. Will it let loose some major flares before it departs? We shall see. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours:  Sun activity is back to low. We observed 14 C class flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest event was a C4.3 flare from AR3351, fired at 13:51 UTC on June 30. Leading flare producer AR3354 blasted out four C flares. Sunspot region AR3340 was just a step behind, with three C class flares. The sun currently has six labeled active regions.

The post Sun activity archive for July 2023 first appeared on EarthSky.

A huge, gorgeous prominence erupted over the back side of the northeast limb (edge). It occurred at around 19 UTC on June 29. SOHO‘s LASCO C2 captured the resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) as the planet Mercury entered the field of view (see image below). The CME is not Earth-directed, since the blast came from the far side of the sun. Sun activity reached moderate with the production of an M3.8 flare from AR3354. As it was a closed loop flare, scientists don’t expect an associated coronal mass ejection. Nevertheless, we will confirm this after experts finish their modeling and analysis of the event. After the blast, AR3351 faded out and disappeared. Stay with us for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate with the production of an M3.8 flare by sunspot AR3354 at 14 UTC on June 29. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun produced 15 flares, one M and 14 Cs. The largest, the M3.8 flare, caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Canary Islands. Sunspot AR3354 continues to be the largest on the Earth-side of our star, and it kept its beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration. Have you spotted it yet?  If not, you still have a chance today. It’s so large that all you need to see it is eclipse glasses. Always wear the proper eye protection when you observe at the sun. AR3354 was the main flare producer during the past day with eight flares. The sun currently has five numbered active regions.

Sun activity for June 29, 2023: Will Solar Cycle 25 be stronger than forecast?

Sun activity has been low during the past day, with only C flares. Another low-flare day! Yet the peak of Solar Cycle 25 is only 1½ to 2 years away. Should we anticipate a mild peak for Solar Cycle 25, as many have suggested? Not necessarily. The truth is … Solar Cycle 25 is running ahead of predictions. In the graph above, you can see a comparison between Solar Cycles 24 and 25. The last solar cycle – a relatively mild cycle – had an overall maximum of 146 sunspots in February 2014. Meanwhile, Solar Cycle 25 reached nearly that level – 143 sunspots – in January 2023, two years ahead of its predicted peak in 2025. Solar Cycle 25 hasn’t yet reached the level of Solar Cycle 24 in terms of peak sunspot numbers. But events are clearly happening much more rapidly than forecast. So – despite the naysaying – it seems as if this solar cycle may be stronger than the last cycle. In fact, a group of solar scientists led by Scott McIntosh of NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) has developed a new model. And the updated model is closer to the observations of Solar Cycle 25. It looks like we’re going to have a larger solar cycle than originally predicted! What’s more, its peak may be here at least a year earlier … See the graphic below. Exciting sun fun may be ahead! Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low levels. Only C flares were produced in the past day (11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today). There were a total of 14 C flares during the period. The largest was a C5.5 flare from sunspot AR3354 at 18:39 UTC on June 28, 2023. This sunspot, AR3354, continues as the lead flare producer. It produced six C flares and kept its beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration. It is the largest sunspot on the Earth-facing side of the sun. In fact, you can see it without magnification using only eclipse glasses. Always wear the proper eye protection when you observe at the sun. Take a look and try to spot it. Let us know in the comments if you found it. The rest of the sunspots look tiny and are stable or in decay. The sun has eight numbered active regions with no newcomers today.

Sun activity for June 28, 2023: A glow is in the air

While sun activity continues at moderate, with two M flares fired over the past day, we have seen reports of airglow. Not to be confused with auroral displays, which are very well-structured and provoked by high speed solar wind, airglow is spread evenly over the sky and occurs when molecules of mostly oxygen and nitrogen are energized by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sunlight. As we approach the solar cycle’s maximum, we’ll be able to witness these events more frequently. Turning back to the sun, sunspot region AR3354 has shown substantial growth, developing spots and penumbra. It now shows a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration. That means it has the potential for Ms and even X flares. This active region has also become the lead flare producer of the past day. Get more details below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains at moderate. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, we saw two M flares and 18 Cs. The largest was an M1.9 flare at 8:44 UTC on June 28. The second largest was an M1.3 at 15:14 UTC on June 27. Both Ms were produced by sunspot AR3340. After each M flare, R1 (minor) radio blackouts were registered. The first occurred over the middle of the north Atlantic Ocean, and the second affected an area over the north of Saudi Arabia. While active region AR3340 remains the only M flare producer currently on the Earth-facing sun, AR3354 took over as lead producer of the day with nine flares. There is a newcomer in the sunspot neighborhood, now labeled AR3355. This makes a total of eight numbered sunspots on the Earth-facing side of our star.

Sun activity for June 27, 2023: Mercury photobombs CME imagery

A slow filament eruption occurred at 11:51 UTC on June 26, with plasma lifting off from the northeast limb (edge). The LASCO C3 instrument aboard the SOHO spacecraft saw the resulting coronal mass ejection (CME). During this time, Mercury swung into view as it continued its orbit around the sun. After this filament eruption, a floating prominence danced on the northeast limb (edge). Some of it lifted off into space, and some rained back down onto the sun. Check it out in the imagery below!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with an M1.6 flare from active region AR3340 at 16:22 UTC on June 26. The M flare caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout that affected an area over the Atlantic Ocean, north of Puerto Rico. Eleven C flares occurred between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. AR3340 produced eight of the 12 total flares, including the M1.6 flare. The region continues to be the largest sunspot on the Earth-facing side of the sun. It has lost its delta region, but still shows a beta-gamma magnetic complexity. The sun currently has eight sunspot regions, including newcomer AR3345.

Sun activity for June 26, 2023: Sunspot region ramping up

Although the sun has calmed over the past day, sunspot region AR3340 grew in size and complexity. It has formed a delta region, one of the indicators of potential M and X flares. Will it give us any large flares? It’s worth keeping an eye on this region. It produced more than half the flares over the past day (11 UTC June 25 to 11 UTC June 26, 2023). Meanwhile, another region – AR3341 – produced the largest flare, a C8.5, just shy of M-class size and the threshold for moderate activity.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is now considered low, with only C-class flares. We saw a total of 23 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. As mentioned above, AR3341 created the largest event, a C8.5 at 12:03 UTC. AR3340 was the flare leader with 14 C flares. The number of sunspots groups on the sun’s Earth-facing side has dropped from 14 to seven. We’ve also continued to see prominence and filament activity.

Sun activity for June 25, 2023: A busy sun day, all around

No one thing stands out, but there’s a lot happening around the sun, and even here at home. It’s a small-scale taste of what can happen nearing solar maximum: lots of flares, filaments, and more. Sun activity is moderate thanks to an M1.1 flare from AR3337. We didn’t reach yesterday’s peak number of sunspot regions, 16, but today is pretty close with 14 visible on the disk. All of the regions are fairly small and simple but that could change quickly. We did see a bit of action at Earth. A coronal mass ejection (CME), possibly from last week’s X flare, brushed past Earth, leaving a disturbed geomagnetic field in its wake. This triggered a short bit of storming with a G1 geomagnetic storm around 16:00 UTC on June 24. Those levels have settled down but fast solar wind from some coronal holes may rattle it again in the next few days. There are numerous prominences and filaments around the solar disk. One erupted from the south pole around 4:00 UTC on June 25. There are a couple of prominences on the east limb (edge) and two notable filaments in the northern hemisphere including one with the classic sigmoid or S-shape structure. Within a sunspot this often indicates eruptive potential. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. We saw a total of 19 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. AR3337 brought activity levels to moderate with the release of an M1.1 flare at 12 UTC on June 24, 2023. AR3335 was the flare leader with eight C flares. The sun has 14 active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for June 24, 2023: 16 sunspots! Most in 2023

Today’s top news: Sun activity is low. But the number of active regions – or sunspots – is high! We saw a peak of 16 sunspots earlier today, including five numbered newcomers. At the time of this writing (11 UTC, June 24) some of the 16 sunspots have rotated out of view on the sun’s west limb. Still, this number of sunspots is the highest so far this year. And it’ll surely increase the average monthly rate of sunspots for June 2023. Elsewhere on the sun, we saw filaments – ropes of solar material and magnetic fields – that produced jets as long as several Earths! They were in the sun’s northwest and southwest. None of the plasma they hurled was fired in Earth’s direction.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. We saw a total of 19 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. AR3337 was the flare leader, with six C flares in total. This included a C4.1 flare at 9:19 UTC on June 24, the largest flare of the past day. Currently, the sun has 12 active regions on its Earth-facing side. This includes five newly-numbered regions: AR3345 on the northeast quadrant, AR3347 on the southwest, and AR3348, AR3349, AR3350 and AR3351 all coming across the east limb (edge).

Sun activity for June 23, 2023: X flare-producing region still going strong

The producer of June 20’s X flare, AR3341, remains the focus of sun activity. Today it released two M flares: an M4.9 and M1.1. It is now moving into a geoeffective position over the next few days, so any coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the region may come our way. We’ll keep a close eye on this region! Elsewhere on the sun, we have observed erupting filaments in the southeast, jets in the southwest, and a stable prominence on the northeast limb (edge) over the past day. Some of the action beyond the eastern limb hints at more regions rotating into view soon.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues at moderate levels. A total of 18 flares were observed between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: two Ms and 16 C flares. The largest flare was an M4.9 at 23:44 UTC on June 22 from AR3341. AR3341 also produced an M1.1 flare at 11:21 UTC earlier that day. This region, which produced the recent X1.1 flare, was the lead flare producer of the past day with the two Ms plus five Cs. Each M flare produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout. The blackout from the M4.9 flare affected an area over the Pacific Ocean east of Hawaii, and the M1.1 flare affected an area over the Sahara desert and north coast of Africa. The sun currently has 10 numbered active regions, with no newcomers.

Sun activity for June 22, 2023: Parker Solar Probe perihelion #16

Today, the Parker Solar Probe is at perihelion, its closest point to the sun. NASA launched this spacecraft on August 12, 2018, saying it was to be the first human spacecraft to “touch the sun.” By that, NASA meant the craft would get closer to our star than any human spacecraft ever has. And so the Parker Solar Probe has done, again and again. When the craft performs its closest approach to the sun today for the 16th time, it’ll be at a distance of around 5.58 million miles (~9 million km) from our star. It’ll be traveling at a speed of approximately 355,310 miles per hour (~571,000 km/hr). Read more about the mission here: Parker Solar Probe peers into coronal hole, sees source of solar wind.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. There were two M flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. Otherwise, we observed a dramatic reduction in flaring activity. There were only seven flares in the past day: the two mentioned M flares plus five Cs. That’s in contrast to 24 flares – including an X1.1 flare – the day before. The largest of the past day was an M1.1 by sunspot AR3341 at 12:44 UTC on June 21. The second largest was an M1.0 flare by AR3337 at 15:38 UTC on June 21. Shortly after the M flares, R1 (minor) radio blackouts were registered. The first affected an area over the northwest coast in Africa and the second over the Atlantic Ocean, east of Bermuda. The sun currently has 11 numbered active regions. There is a newcomer now numbered AR3346. It emerged over the equator, east of the central meridian.

Sun activity for June 21, 2023: X flare!

Sun activity is now high, following the explosion late yesterday of an X1.1 flare. The strong blast happened on the sun’s southeast limb (edge) at 17:09 UTC on June 20. And it’s now been confirmed: the source was sunspot AR3341, which came into view as recently as June 19. A coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced during the event, which in turn caused an R3 (strong) radio blackout over an area of Florida. We’ve been waiting for this to happen, after a couple of weeks of a calm sun. We had not seen an X flare since March 29, 2023.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity increased to high with an X flare and four M flares during the past day. We observed an increase in total flares as well, with 24 flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. There were 19 Cs, four Ms and one X flare. This is the breakdown of the X and M flares:
M1.1 at 11:13 on June 20 by AR3342
M1.8 at 11:25 on June 20 by AR3342
M1.0 at 15:48 on June 20 by AR3342
M1.1 at 16:33 on June 20 by AR3342
X1.1 at 17:09 on June 20 by AR3341, the largest.
AR3342 was the flare leader of the day. This sunspot kept flaring all day long. In the animation below, you can see the sequence of sparks from this active region. It produced a total of 14 flares during the period. It was the author of the 4 Ms of the day plus 10 Cs. Let’s see what this sunspot give us before it departs on the southwest limb. R1 (minor) radio blackouts were observed on the sunlit side of Earth after each M flare. As mentioned above, the X flare produced an R3 (strong) radio blackout over an area in Florida. There are two newcomers on the Earth-viewed side of the sun: AR3344 on the northwest quadrant, close to the limb (edge), and AR3345 on the northeast. The sun today is adorned with 9 numbered active regions as we close this writing. But, during the past day, it momentarily showed up to 12 labeled sunspots.

Sun activity update for June 20, 2023: Prominences on 4 quadrants

We frequently see long-lasting prominences on the sun’s limb (edge). They typically appear isolated on one solar quadrant or another, and it’s not common to see them in all four solar quadrants simultaneously. But that’s exactly what we did see on the sun’s Earth-facing disk during the past day. There were prominences on all four quadrants of the sun: northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. Plus the sun produced an M flare! Details below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues at moderate levels. Total flare production during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today) was one M flare and 18 C flares. Sunspot region AR3341 produced the M1.2 flare at 12:14 UTC on June 19, 2023. After the blast, an R1 (minor) radio blackout occurred over Algeria’s north coast on the Mediterranean Sea. We have two new sunspot regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun today. AR3342 emerged on the southwest quadrant and rapidly became the lead flare producer of with five C flares. It is now located very close to the southwest limb (edge) and will soon rotate out of view. The second region, which is numbered AR3343, is located on the northwest quadrant. The sun has 10 labeled sunspot regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for June 19, 2023: 2 M flares, 2 Earth-facing coronal holes

The sun produced two M flares over the past day, with a coronal mass ejection (CME) from one of them. Details below. Two of the three coronal holes we reported yesterday, the ones on the southeast quadrant, are now geoffective, that is, capable of affecting Earth. So the fast solar wind they produce will come our way. Read about coronal holes as a source of the solar wind here.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is now considered moderate. Of the past day’s two M flares, the largest was an M2.5 flare produced by sunspot AR3336 at 13:35 UTC on June 18, 2023. The second M happened at 3:50 UTC on June 19. It was an M1.4 from the sun’s southeast limb (edge), produced by an active region that’s just rotated into view and isn’t numbered yet. There were also 15 Cs, for a total of 17 flares produced during the past day. Lead flare producer of the day (11 UTC June 18 through 11 UTC June 19) was sunspot AR3335, with six C flares. After each M flare an R1 (minor) radio blackout was registered. The first was over the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Northern African coast. The second affected an area over an area on the east coast of China. The observable face of our sun shows eight labeled active regions today. We have a newcomer in the neighborhood, sunspot AR3340 which appeared on the sun’s northeast limb (edge).

Sun activity for June 18, 2023: Action in the southeast

Most of sun activity during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today) happened on the sun’s southeast quadrant. We saw mostly C flares and an M1.3. As we closed this writing, we saw a double prominence, one and two, exploded by an active region on the sun’s far side, depicted in the image above. Elsewhere on the sun, three large coronal holes adorn our star on its Earth-side. Two coronal holes are on the northwest quadrant. And one is in the sun’s southern hemisphere, just above the central meridian. So there are chances for more sun fun as these coronal holes – carried by the sun’s rotation – move into a more geoffective position. Read about coronal holes as a source of the solar wind. And stay with us for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues to be moderate. Sunspot AR3336 produced an M1.3 flare, the largest of the day. The blast occurred at 0:31 UTC on June 18, 2023. The total flaring production of the past day was 17 flares; 16 Cs and the abovementioned M flare. Our observation period is from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today. Shortly after the M flare an R1 (minor) radio blackout was registered affecting an area over the Pacific Ocean west of the Hawaiian islands. The sun has six numbered active regions on its Earth-viewed side, including a newcomer, AR3339, that came into view on the southeast limb (edge).

Sun activity for June 17, 2023: Both Earth and sun calmer today

After yesterday’s excitement at Earth and on the sun, both have calmed down. First, Earth. Our geomagnetic field is now at quiet levels. Did you see auroras overnight on June 15-16? Auroral displays were observed from Alaska to New Zealand. But things were calmer last night. There might be some action in the geomagnetic field today. But no geomagnetic storms are on the horizon. Meanwhile, sun activity has stayed moderate due to an M1.0 flare. It wasn’t a super active start to the day today. But the day is young (11 UTC on June 17 at this writing), so stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. During the past day, the sun produced 10 flares, nine C and one M. The largest flare was an M1.0 from AR3331 at 19:52 UTC on June 16. The M flare caused a radio blackout on the sun-facing side of Earth. The sun has seven numbered active regions.

Sun activity for June 16, 2023: Excitement on both sun and Earth

After several days of low sun activity, levels have now jumped to moderate, with several M flares popping off earlier today (including one at the time of this writing; details below). Plus! Here on Earth, we reached the minor geomagnetic storm threshold at 21 UTC on June 15. Did anybody see auroras? Let us know in the comments below. Last night’s geomagnetic storm has nothing to do with the M flares. It takes a few days for activity on the sun to travel to us. Instead, the geomagnetic storm was due to the arrival of what’s called a co-rotating interaction region (CIR). The geomagnetic field oscillated between G1 (minor) and G2 (moderate) levels into early June 16 (last night in the U.S.). The storming has since subsided, but remains active at the time of this writing. So the sun appears to be picking up. Signs point to more to come (maybe)! Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is now moderate. During the past day, the sun produced 13 flares, 11 C and three M. The largest flare was an M1.1 from AR3338 at 10:20 UTC on June 16, 2023. We also had an M1.0 from AR3337 at 5:21 UTC on June 16, 2023. And we just had another M1.1 flare from AR3338 (at the time of this writing). And there was almost an M with a C9.7 from AR3336 at12:33 UTC on June 15, 2023. The first two M flares caused radio blackouts on the sun facing side of Earth. The sun has eight numbered active regions.

Sun activity for June 15, 2023: Action incoming from the east

Today’s top news: Like Earth, the sun rotates counter-clockwise, as viewed from earthly north. So the sun’s east quadrant is the one just now rotating into view. And we could see over the past day that it is, perhaps, bringing on more action. We saw prominence eruptions from behind the sun’s limb (edge) on the northeast. This northeast action has now lasted for two days, but soon this region will rotate into view! The southeast also brought us two new active regions today, including the primary flare producer today, now numbered AR3335. This was also the main flaring region yesterday. We will keep an eye on this sunspot. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues at a low level. During the past day, from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC, the sun produced 20 C flares. The largest flare was a C6.7 from AR3327 at 22:59 UTC on June 14, 2023. Newcomer AR3335 was the lead flare producer. It produced eight of the period’s C flares. The sun has seven numbered active regions. This includes the two newcomers, AR3335 and AR3336, in the southeast quadrant.

Sun activity for June 14, 2023: Higher activity might be on its way

Hopefully, action is on its way from our sun’s east limb (edge). An incoming active region on the northeast limb blasted the largest flare of the day: a C6.3. When this was fired the newcomer region did not have a number, as it was located at the very edge of the solar disk. Now that it has arrived fully into view, the region has been labeled AR3334. In the meantime, another region that might have produced a prominence yesterday has become today’s lead flaring producer. It does not have a number yet, but it has already produced 15 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. It seems more action is coming our way! Stay with us for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with only C flares, but it is increasing. From 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today the sun produced 25 C flares. A C6.3 flare was the largest. It was produced by a newcomer on the northeast, AR3334, at 17:38 UTC on June 13. An as-yet-unnumbered active region on the southeast limb is the lead flare producer of the day, with 15 of the 25 C flares. There are two labeled newcomers on the Earth-facing solar disk: AR334, as mentioned above, and AR3333, which emerged on the southeast quadrant. The sun currently has six sunspot regions on the its Earth-facing side.

Read more: Parker Solar Probe peers into coronal hole, sees source of solar wind.

Sun activity for June 13, 2023: A solar deja vu, all over again

Deja vu. Sun activity remains low but similar to yesterday’s massive filament eruption; another one left the north pole area around 1 UTC, June 13, 2023. The prominence grew for a couple of hours until it released solar plasma (super-hot gas) into space. The resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) is probably not Earth-directed. We also saw long lasting prominences on the east, north and south of the solar equator. That may indicate active regions beyond the limb (edge) coming our way. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains at low levels. Flare production from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today was 15 C flares. The largest solar explosion was a C5.1 by AR3327 at 23:27 UTC on June 12. AR3327 was the lead flare producer with four C flares. The sun has five sunspot regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for June 12, 2023: Massive filament from sun’s north pole

Sun activity today is low. But you wouldn’t know it looking at the sun’s north pole. A massive filament erupted, sending a huge cloud of solar plasma (super-hot gas) barreling away from the sun at millions of miles per hour. The eruption rose away from the sun’s surface – becoming a prominence (the name for a filament observed off the sun’s limb, or edge) – starting around 1:52 UTC on June 12, 2023. It continued its swift rise until it was no longer held down by the sun’s magnetic fields. That’s when it lifted off into space. Given the direction of the hot gas as it hurtled into space – almost entirely northward – the resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) doesn’t have an Earth-directed component. Stay tuned for more sun news!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. A total of 13 flares were observed from 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. There are no M flares which keeps the activity level as low. The largest observed flare was a C5.2 at 6:49 UTC on June 12, from AR3330. The sun currently has five sunspot regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for June 11, 2023: It’s a calm sun day

Sun activity today has dropped to low. We’ve observed only C flares over the past 24 hours. Relatively speaking, it’s a quiet sun day on this Sunday, as we wait to see what any regions that haven’t yet rotated into view might have to offer. AR3332 has been doing most of the flaring, making it up to a C5.7. Maybe the region still has a little gas in the tank left for some last-minute excitement. But don’t let the calm fool you. It’s surely just a short lull. Soon we will see more obvious signs of our continued rise toward solar maximum. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. A total of 11 flares were observed from 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. That’s a few more flares than the day before, but no M flares this time. So the activity is described as low. The largest observed flare was a C5.7 at 21:10 UTC on June 10, from AR3332. The sun currently has eight sunspot regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for June 10, 2023: An M flare and 2 CMEs!

Sun activity today has risen to moderate, thanks to a surprise M2.5 flare from AR3331. This flare produced one of two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed over the past day. The other came from a filament eruption on June 8, which was determined to have a slight Earth-bound component which should reach us on June 11. The two coronal holes we mentioned yesterday have begun to decay, but another one has developed in the northeast. We’ll keep watching.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. A total of eight flares were observed during the period between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. That’s fewer flares overall than yesterday, when sun activity was described as low. And today we’re saying the activity level has risen to moderate. Why? It’s because the M flare threshold was reached. AR3331 made that possible when it fired off an M2.5 flare at 17:11 UTC on June 9. Shortly after the M flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over the Gulf of Mexico. The lead flare producer of the day was sunspot AR3332, with four out of the eight flares. Yes, that means AR3327 has lost its crown after six days in a row as the most active region. It also lost its delta region over the past day. Poor AR3327! The sun currently has eight sunspot regions on its Earth-viewed side.

Sun activity for June 9, 2023: Incoming sunspots, active solar periphery

Although sun activity has returned to low, the periphery of our star is looking busy. Jets, exploding filaments and prominences can be seen all around the solar horizon. Plus, helioseismology shows many large sunspots on the far side of the sun, soon to rotate into view. So activity is coming our way. Here on Earth, the coronal mass ejection (CME) from June 4 passed close to us, but it did not bring much turbulence to our planet’s magnetic field and, presumably, auroral displays were minimal. Tell us what you saw in the comments of this post!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low. The sun produced only 10 faint C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C2.2 flare, fired at 0:07 UTC by AR3327. This sunspot continues to be the leading flare producer, blasting out six out of the day’s 10 flares. The sun has nine active regions today, including newcomer AR3332, which has appeared on the sun’s southeast limb (edge).

June 8, 2023: Flaring picks up to moderate

Sun activity has picked up – and is now considered moderate – with sunspot region AR3327 releasing a near-M5 flare. This region continues to be the most complex and active on the sun, with its delta region indicating the potential for M and even X flares. What will AR3327 bring next? Meanwhile, we’re watching the limb (edge) of the sun for a plethora of prominences. These filaments of solar plasma from lower down in the sun’s atmosphere are supported high up in the sun’s corona (outer atmosphere). They’re currently creating a unique dance display on our sun. We also await a possible glancing blow today from a coronal mass ejection (CME) launched into space on June 4. Read more under “current geomagnetic activity” below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with one M flare plus 18 Cs during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was an M4.7 flare at 11:46 UTC on June 7 from sunspot AR3327. No surprise that this region continues to be the lead flare producer, with 11 flares including the M. Since it came into view, AR3327 has been the leader five days in a row. It has kept its beta-gamma-delta magnetic complexity, with a noticeable increase in both level and productivity due to this. Keep on going, AR3327! We’re having fun watching you. The M flare produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout in an area over northwest Africa. Today the sun has nine labeled sunspots, with newcomer AR3331 coming into view on the southeast limb.

Sun activity for June 7, 2023: CME arrival delayed, 2 more CME blasts

The coronal mass ejection (CME) from June 4 might still give us a glancing blow, but the CME arrival has been delayed. Experts are now expecting it later on June 8, bringing unsettled-to-active conditions whose effects might linger through June 9. Meanwhile, on the sun, over the past day we’ve seen two big explosions that hurled ejecta into space. The most recent blast occurred on the sun’s southeast quadrant at 6:12 UTC on June 7. See it in our top image. A C7.3 flare was associated with this explosion. The ejecta came from the vicinity of sunspot AR3327, which, by the way, has just developed a beta-gamma-delta configuration (the more complex magnetic configurations indicate a potential for increased flaring). The second blast occurred on the sun’s northeast quadrant, where SOHO’s LASCO C3 registered a CME ending at around 16:06 UTC on June 6. Neither of the CMEs were Earth-oriented. But note that these two active regions are moving westward on the Earth-facing side of the sun. That means that, in a few days, they’ll be located at a more geoffective position – a position more capable of affecting Earth – so they might start sending their solar material our way. We’ll keep an eye out!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low, with only nine C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. AR3327 is again the day’s leading flare producer for the fourth day in a row. This time it produced seven flares, including the two largest of the period: a C7.5 at 19:00 UTC on June 6, and the C7.3 mentioned above. Two sunspots have shown notable growth: AR3327 is now showing a beta-gamma-delta magnetic complexity, and AR3323 has developed to beta-gamma. Today the sun bears eight labeled active regions.

Sun activity for June 6, 2023: Confirmed CME arrival overnight June 7-8

It’s now confirmed that the coronal mass ejection (CME) we’re expecting will arrive early on June 8 (overnight on June 7-8 for western Europe and the Americas). The sun hurled the CME into space on June 4, via an exploding filament on its southwest limb (edge). A component of this CME will give Earth a glancing blow, perhaps bringing G1 (minor) geomagnetic conditions and resulting auroras. So we are waiting … waiting … while the sun itself, for now, is exhibiting only low-level flaring. All the sunspots on the Earth-side of our star are stable, or in decay.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. Over the past day, we saw only faint C flares: 11 in total. The largest flare of the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today) was a C6.3, sparked by AR3327 at 9:14 UTC on June 6. Yesterday we welcomed AR3327 as a newcomer and the lead flare producer. And today it continues leading for the third day in a row, with 6 flares. There are seven labeled active regions on the Earth-viewed side of the sun now, with AR3328 being today’s newcomer.

Sun activity for June 5, 2023: CME on its way, possible arrival June 7

Everybody’s talking about yesterday’s filament eruption on the southwest solar quadrant. As we reported on June 4, it hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. And a portion of the CME is coming our way. Preliminary analysis suggests a CME glancing blow by June 7, 2023. But do note that specialists still are working on further modeling and analysis of the event. The SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C2 imager registered the blast at around 11:12 UTC. Then the LASCO C3 imager registered a partial halo one the southwest at around 12 UTC, a sign that a CME might be headed toward Earth.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity keeps to low levels. There were only C flares produced during the past day, from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today. Total production of the period was 15 flares with the largest being a C5.8 flare by active region AR3327. It was blasted out on the southeast limb (edge)  at 14:30 UTC on June 4, 2023. AR3327 was also the most active sunspot of the past day. It contributed with eight flares. This same active region was yesterday’s hero, too, when it had not been numbered yet. It is now being carried more fully into view by the sun’s rotation. Welcome, AR3327! Currently the sun bears seven labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for June 4, 2023: BAM! Big blast on the southeast

Today’s top news: The sun produced an enormous and mesmerizing prominence on its southeast limb (edge) earlier today. The blast happened at around 2:24 UTC on June 4, 2023. And it came on a day when sun activity overall has been low. So … hello! Still, the prominence isn’t a surprise. This area on the sun’s southeast limb produced multiple C flares during the past day. And a C3.0 flare that happened at around 2:12 UTC on June 4 – just 12 minutes before the prominence – is perhaps associated with this impressive explosion. It can be seen the blast comes from beyond the solar horizon, from an active region that isn’t visible yet. But it’ll soon rotate into view. Also … this just in! Just before closing out today’s edition, the sun’s southwest responded back to the southeast, with a big filament eruption on the sun’s southwest quadrant. On the imagery below, you can see a big blast of ejecta hurtling into space from the event. Cool!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. There were 19 C flares produced during the past day, from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today. The biggest was a C8.9 flare blasted by sunspot AR3323 at 3:49 UTC on June 4, 2023. Active region AR3319, and the incoming active region on the southeast limb (as yet unnumbered), share the position as lead flare producer. Each of these regions produced 5 flares. There are currently six numbered active regions on the Earth-viewed side of the sun.

Sun activity for June 3, 2023: Departing sunspots put on a show

Today’s top news: Yesterday, we saw an increase in the likelihood of M and X flares. But, in the past day, sun activity has returned to low. Still … there’s some beautiful action in the northwest. AR3318 is about to depart, while AR3313 and AR3322 have just passed out sight behind the northwest limb (edge). As they continued to flare from beyond the horizon, we were treated to some lovely prominences. In fact, one was so lovely we could have sworn it was heart-shaped! See for yourself in the top animation. We also have to say farewell to the giant sunspot AR3315, which has now passed beyond the southwest limb. It hasn’t left the southwest totally quiet, though, as AR3319 is still blasting jets and hurling ejecta into space.
Last 24 hours: Activity is low with only C class flares. As well as a drop in flaring level, flaring productivity has also reduced over the past day: we only saw 10 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C6.3 flare blasted at 22:42 UTC on June 2 by AR3323. This sunspot was the lead flare producer of the past 24 hours, with six out of the 10 flares. Yesterday’s newcomer has been numbered AR3324, as expected. And we have two more newcomers today. A sunspot on the central meridian, just north of the equator, has been labeled AR3325. And an active region that appeared on the northeast limb (edge) has been numbered AR3326. There are currently eight numbered active regions on the earth-viewed solar disk.

Sun activity for June 2, 2023: M flare in northwest, fiery action in southwest

It took a faint M1.5 flare in the northwest to keep activity levels at moderate today. But despite low flaring overall, we observed much activity on the Earth-viewed solar disk. The southwest quadrant continues to attract our attention, with fiery exploding filaments and prominences. Check out the imagery above. And look below to see a flare that was fired on the northwest limb (edge) at around 19 UTC, June 1. It was produced beyond the solar horizon, but was bright enough to still produce a flash. While we’ve seen fairly low flaring intensity and productivity over the past day, specialists are predicting action – notice the increase in chances for an M and X flare in the coming day. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Activity is moderate, with one M flare and 14 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The one M flare of the period was an M1.5, which occurred at 2:41 UTC on June 2. It was produced by a newcomer sunspot that emerged from nowhere on the northwest quadrant, and will likely soon be numbered AR3324. The blast produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout that affected an area south of Japan over Okinawa Island. AR3323 was the day’s leading flare producer, with seven of the 15 flares. There are currently eight numbered active regions on the Earth-facing side of our star. The newcomer on the northwest quadrant is waiting to be numbered.

Sun activity for June 1, 2023: Newcomer sunspot is today’s flare leader

The newcomer sunspot region, AR3323 in the sun’s southeast, rapidly became the lead flare producer of the past day. It has been blasting C flares since it was still beyond the solar limb (edge). As soon as it came into view, it released two M flares, including an M4.3 flare (the last M flare of May). AR3323 first appeared with a beta configuration and in less than a day went up to a beta-gamma magnetic configuration. Bigger sunspots tend to be more complex magnetically, and often get a beta, beta-gamma or even beta-gamma-delta classification. Speaking of which … the sunspot we mentioned yesterday in the sun’s southwest quadrant, AR3319 – which was blasting flares and sending ejecta into space – has now developed a delta region. So it now bears a beta-gamma-delta magnetic complexity, suggesting it now has the potential for more M flares and X flares. It is also now geoeffective, which means that any forthcoming coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from this region might affect Earth, bringing us auroral displays.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. During the past day, between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, there were three M flares and 13 C flares. The largest event of the day was from AR3323, an M4.3 at 22:52 UTC on May 31, 2023. Shortly after, an R1 (minor) radio blackout effected an area over Hawaii. AR3323 was the lead flare producer with 10 total flares during the period. Today, the sun has nine sunspot regions on its Earth-facing side.

Bottom line: Sun activity archive for June 2023. A daily record of flaring, and other sorts of activity, on our local star.

The post Sun activity archive for June 2023 first appeared on EarthSky.

The southwest remains the focus of activity on our sun, producing prominences and exploding filaments. It appears that – after departing from the Earth-viewed sun on the southwest limb (edge) yesterday – sunspot AR3310 is continuing its recent uptick in activity from beyond the solar horizon. We saw a filament erupting from this area at 01:17 UTC on May 31. The southwest also saw the largest flare of the past day: an M1.4 from giant sunspot region AR3315 at 13:38 UTC on May 30. You can still see this sunspot from Earth, with the proper eye protection. Catch it before it rotates out of view in a few days! Get observing tips in the video below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains at moderate, with two M flares and 14 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. As mentioned above, the largest flare was an M1.4 from AR3315 at 13:38 UTC on May 30. It produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over the Atlantic Ocean on the northwest coast of Africa. The second M flare of the period was an M1.3 by an as-yet-unnumbered active region in the southeast. It was fired at 4:38 UTC on May 31, producing an R1 (minor) blackout over Vietnam. We also saw a filament erupt on the northwest quadrant at 21:09 UTC on May 30. There is a newcomer sunspot region, AR3220, near the northeast limb (edge). There are currently nine sunspot regions on the Earth-facing side of our sun.

Sun activity for May 30, 2023: Gentle giant sunspot now active as it departs

Yes, AR3315 is the biggest active region on the sun now. Check out the video below with some tips on how to see it. But it’s not the only giant sunspot visible now. Gentle giant AR3310 is now departing over the sun’s southwest limb (edge). As it makes its exit from the sun’s Earth-facing side, it has become the lead flare producer of the past day. Note that AR3310 is made of a single sunspot, while the largest sunspot region, AR3315, is multiple spots. Plus AR3315 has lost its delta region (a classification indicating possible pending M and X flare production). But AR3315 remains the most magnetically complex region with a beta-gamma configuration. You might see departing region AR3310, and you can certainly see AR3315, from the ground! Magnification is not required, but the correct eye protection is. Wear eclipse or solar viewing glasses and give it a try! For a better view you can use solar binoculars (several people at EarthSky’s sun team use these).
Last 24 hours: As we say goodbye to AR3310, four new sunspots have arrived on our sun. AR3317 and AR3318 are on the northwest quadrant, and AR3319 emerged from seemingly nowhere just south of the central meridian. Plus, we can now see AR3320 on the southeast limb (edge). There are two new large coronal holes that adorn our sun today, too: one on the northeast quadrant, and a larger one on the southeast. This all suggests that action is coming our way. Two M flares in the past day have brought sun activity back to moderate. There were 16 flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: 14 C flares, an M1.2, and an M1.3. Both Ms were from departing sunspot region AR3310. The M1.2 was fired at 07:45 UTC, and the slightly larger M1.3 at 10:15 UTC, both on May 30. Having long been a stable gentle giant, AR3110 became the lead producer with six flares. After the M flares, R1 (minor) radio blackouts affected areas over the Persian Gulf and Africa respectively. AR3315, the current largest and most complex region, only produced three C flares. The sun today has eight numbered active regions.

Sun activity for May 29, 2023: The big sunspot region is getting bigger

The sunspots continue to stir. And that big sunspot region – AR3315 – has grown! You could now line up about 10 Earths back-to-back from one end of the sunspot to the other. This means the region is still quite visible from the ground with the proper viewing equipment. Just be sure to protect your eyes. Tips for observing the sun safely here. And, yes, your eclipse glasses are enough to let you see it. Want to get a better look? Switch to solar binoculars (several people at EarthSky’s sun team use these). Overall, sun activity is low now. But there’s always hope for more action. AR3315 has maintained its delta regions (a sign of a potential for increasing flaring). But AR3316 has lost its delta. Finally, keep an eye on the sun’s eastern limb (edge)! Four of the C flares of the past day came from either the northeast or southeast. That’s the side of the sun rotating into view. So some of the regions on the sun’s far side – soon to appear – might provide some sun fun. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with 11 C flares. The largest event, a C2.3, at 7:15 UTC on May 28, 2023 from a region just over the limb (edge) in the northeast. Today, the sun has seven sunspot regions.

Sun activity for May 28, 2023: A prominence dances as sunspots stir

Today’s top news: Despite only moderate sun activity, the sunspots are stirring. AR3314, AR3315, and AR3316 have all seen growth in size and magnetic complexity over the past day. But what is most exciting is that AR3315 and AR3316 have developed delta regions, indicating stronger chance for M and X flares. The sun didn’t stop there. While the sunspots get ready for action, a spectacular prominence erupted off the southeast limb (edge) midday (around 11:54 UTC) May 27, 2023. Meanwhile, several sunspot regions still gather on the far side of the sun and should start to make themselves known in a few days. Don’t forget to break out your safe solar viewing or eclipse glasses to check out the large sunspots visible from the ground. Just be sure to never, NEVER, look at the sun without the proper eye protection. Tips for observing the sun safely here. Want to get a better look? Switch to solar binoculars (several people at EarthSky’s sun team use these). Excitement is building so stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity with moderate with 12 C flares and one M flare. The largest event, an M1, was a C6.2 at 10:20 UTC on May 28, 2023 from AR3312. This created an R1 (minor) radio blackout over Africa. Today, the sun has seven sunspot regions.

Sun activity for May 27, 2023: We have a new giant sunspot!

Sun activity continues to be relatively calm, with reduced flaring quantity and intensity. But there are some big sunspots on the sun now! AR3310 has been visible through eclipse glasses only (no magnification needed) for several days. And now sunspot AR3315 is also growing, both in size and magnetic complexity. AR3310 will soon be carried out of view by the sun’s rotation. But AR3315 is further to the east on the sun’s Earth-facing side and so will be visible longer. Both spots are must-sees and can be observed without magnification from Earth. Just be sure to never, NEVER, look at the sun without the proper eye protection. Tips for observing the sun safely here. Want to get a better look? Switch to solar binoculars (several people at EarthSky’s sun team use these). So what are NOAA forecasters saying about these two big spots? AR3315 has a delta region – indicating a potential for increasing flaring – that formed in between its intermediate spots. Due to this delta region, the forecasters upped their predictions for X flares in the near future.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity with one M flare and 11 C flares during the past day from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today. The M flare was an M1.4 at 23:03 UTC on May 26, 2023, from AR3315. The region is now the main flare producer of the period with a total of 10 flares, the M included.  An R1 (minor) radio blackout occurred after the M flare affecting an area in the middle of the Pacific Ocean over Hawaii. There’s a newcomer on the northeast quadrant now labeled AR3316. Today, the sun has seven sunspots.

Sun activity for May 26, 2023: Sunspot AR3315 takes the lead

Sun activity has come to a relative calm, with reduced flaring quantity and intensity. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, only one M flare – an M1.1 – was produced. This M flare came from sunspot region AR3312. But AR3312 wasn’t the day’s leading flare producer. That honor went to sunspot AR3315, which we reported yesterday as having dramatic growth. After much stirring yesterday, the rest of the active regions on the Earth-viewed sun are stable. Meanwhile, the view of the SOHO satellite was visited by brilliant star Aldebaran, the fiery Eye of the Bull in the constellation Taurus. Check it out in LASCO C3 imagery below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains at moderate level, with one faint M flare and 12 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The reduction in flaring production came as AR3311, the lead producer of recent days, lost its delta region and started decaying. The largest flare was an M1.1 by AR3312 at 14:46 UTC on May 25. The leading producer was AR3315, with seven of the 12 C flares. As we reported yesterday, this sunspot has shown rapid growth since its arrival on May 23. It continues to grow, but at a slightly reduced rate. After the M flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout affected an area over the Atlantic Ocean west of north Africa. The sun currently has six labeled active regions.

Sun activity for May 25, 2023: Sunspots are stirring all around the sun

Excitement is brewing, with sunspots stirring all around our sun. AR3315, which was barely visible yesterday, has quickly grown in size over the past day. And after merging with AR3311 yesterday, AR3314 has regained its independent identity. AR3311 has lost its delta region, so it now has only a beta-gamma classification, but it still remains the leader in magnetic complexity and flare production. It helped to keep sun activity at moderate levels with the largest of two M flares. It has still not yet given us an X flare, and this loss of complexity makes an X flare less likely, but we can’t count AR3311 out yet. Note that AR3310 is actually larger than AR3311, making it the largest sunspot group, but it is magnetically simple. The less complex a sunspot, the less active it is, so although this single roundish spot looks impressive, it is not that exciting in terms of activity. What is exciting is that AR3310 is visible from here on the ground! Just make sure you only look at the sun with the proper protective eyewear. We are also tracking sunspots that lie on the sun’s far side. The largest sunspot shown there via helioseismology is 4 – 5 days away from rotating into view. And keeping with the sun’s far side, we saw a couple of beautiful prominences that seem to have originated from beyond the southwest limb (edge). Check them out below. You can also view a filament eruption that blasted some ejecta into space at around 16:32 UTC on May 24.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate today. 17 flares were produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: two Ms and 15 Cs. The leading producer is sunspot AR3311 which exploded 14 flares, including one of the Ms. This active region has been the most prolific flare producer since it appeared on the Earth-viewed sun on May 18. The largest flare was an M1.9 flare by AR3311. The blast occurred at 17:26 UTC on May 24. The second M flare was an M1.0 at 18:00 UTC by AR3315 on May 24. Both Ms provoked corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackouts, the first affecting an area over the Caribbean and the second an area over Mexico and the south of the United States. With the regained independence of AR3314, the sun currently has six labeled active regions.

Sun activity for May 24, 2023: Far-side sunspots coming our way

The brief lull in solar action continues, with two M flares keeping activity levels at moderate. But there’s excitement if we look behind the curtain! Using helioseismology, which measures vibrations in the sun to give us an image of its far side, we can see that a lot of sunspots are waiting there out of sight. So, as the sun rotates, we could have several new regions arriving soon onto the Earth-facing side. That could include the return of former sunspot region AR3296. We say former because, even if a region rotates all the way around the sun, it gets relabeled when it comes back into view. This is what happened recently when AR3288 returned to the Earth-viewed solar disk – you’ll now know it as AR3310. However, most sunspots decay and disappear before making it all the way around our star. So we can’t know how many of these sunspots will actually come into view. We’ll have to wait and see! By the way, keeping our attention on the far side of our sun, a filament explosion at around 11:24 UTC on May 23 fired a full halo coronal mass ejection (CME) in the opposite direction to Earth. Check out the LASCO C3 imagery below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues at moderate levels, with a total of 18 flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. There were two M flares from sunspot AR3311, the largest being an M3.1 flare at 12:13 UTC on May 23. The rest were C flares. The lead flare producer was AR3311 with 14 flares, the two Ms included. This active region is currently the largest sunspot on the Earth-facing side of our star, and it has retained its beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration. This means it has the potential for more M and even X flares. For now it is remaining productive, but is mostly releasing Cs. It is now reaching a geoeffective position, so there are good chances that any coronal mass ejections (CMEs) would be Earth-directed. We’ll keep a close eye on this region. An R1 (minor) radio blackout associated with the first of AR3311’s two M flares was registered affecting an area over northeast Africa. The sun currently has five labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side. Note that AR3314 has merged into AR3311, after AR3314 lost its main spot and was reduced to mostly plage. Now the full area is labeled AR3311, including what was once AR3314.

Sun activity for May 23, 2023: A classic lightbulb CME

After the surprising geomagnetic storm at Earth yesterday – and a couple of active days on the sun – both the sun and Earth’s geomagnetic field have returned to calmer conditions. But there’s always something to see on our star! A filament eruption just just over the sun’s northwest limb, near the pole, produced what sun experts consider to be a “classic” lightbulb-shaped coronal mass ejection (CME). The eruption occured at around 12:40 UTC on May 22. See the lightbulb-shaped CME shooting northward on the sun in the image at top? These sorts of CMEs were first seen in the early days of the NASA-ESA SOHO spacecraft, which launched in 1995. You’ll find a still image of a lightbulb-shaped CME here. It’s easier in the still image to see that a lightbulb-shaped CME shows the core of the CME, surrounded by a cavity, and then bordered by the CME’s leading edge.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. The sun produced 12 flares, including an M1.9 flare, which was the largest of the past day. So that’s 11 Cs and an M from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today. The lead flare producer of the past day was sunspot AR3311, blasting eight out of the 12 flares. This region also showed some growth, regaining its delta region, and now showing a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration (indicating a greater potential for M and even X flares). AR3311 is the largest and most complex active region on the sun at present. But AR3311 didn’t produce the M1.9 flare. The flare came from sunspot region AR3312 at 13:37 UTC on May 22. A narrow CME with a possible earthward component was associated with the M flare. Shortly after this solar explosion, an R1 (minor) radio blackout was observed affecting an area over the Atlantic Ocean west of the African coast. The sun currently has six labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 22, 2023: A surprise geomagnetic storm

Surprise! An unsettled geomagnetic field was expected. But what we got was a geomagnetic storm that jumped back and forth from G1 (minor) and G2 (moderate) levels. The storming rollercoaster started at 20:37 UTC on May 21 and ended at around 3 UTC, early on May 22. Auroras were visible down to northern U.S. states. Did you photograph any aurora? Share your photos with Earthsky.
Last 24 hours: Over the past day, after two days of high activity, sun activity decreased to moderate. The big producer of the past two days – sunspot region AR3311 – lost some of its magnetic complexity, going from beta-gamma-delta to beta-gamma.. And this sunspot region produced the past day’s single M flare, an M2.6. This event happened at 15:49 UTC on May 21, 2023. A subsequent R1 (minor) radio blackout happened over the sun-facing side of Earth. A total of 15 flares occurred over the past day, 14 C flares and the single M flare. Helioseismology shows some new sunspots a few days away so perhaps activity will soon increase if the current regions don’t kick back into gear. Stay tuned! The sun currently has seven labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 21, 2023: An increase in X flaring?

Sun activity is high with 5 M flares, including an M8.9 from AR3211! The region’s potential for an X flare has increased!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mario Rana in Hampton, Virginia, captured this filtered image on May 21, 2023. Mario wrote: “Hydrogen-alpha image of the sun featuring active region AR3311, and some nice filaments and prominences.” Thank you, Mario!

Sun activity for May 20, 2023: Active sunspot region keeps on flaring

Excitement continues, with high sun activity. Sunspot region AR3211 became more magnetically complex with a beta-gamma-delta configuration, and more complexity indicates a potential for more flares. And AR3211 did give off five more M flares over the past day. One – an M8.9 on May 20 – was almost an X flare, the strongest category of flare. The chance for more M flares – and even an X flare – has increased with this growth in complexity from AR3211 along with its volley of flaring. None of the flaring have produced any significant coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Geomagnetic activity has calmed. But that might change by May 23 with more coronal hole influence. In the meantime, all eyes are on the sun and AR3211. Will the region give us an X flare? Stay tuned to find out!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high with five M flares from sunspot region AR3311. The largest was an M8.9 flare from AR3311 at 12:25 UTC on May 20. Total flare production for the day was 25 flares: five Ms and 20 Cs. AR3311 continues as the lead flare producer. It released 13 flares during the period, including the five M flares. Here’s the breakdown of AR3311’s M flaring (all times in UTC):
M8.9 at 12:25, May 20 (the largest)
M5.7 at 14:54, May 20
M1.2 at 18:57, May 20
M5.2 at 22:52, May 20
M1.4 at 02:18, May 21
R1 (minor) radio blackouts were observed after each M flare over the sun-facing part of Earth. The M8.9 flare produced an R2 (moderate) radio blackout that affected an area over the Atlantic Ocean, Europe and Africa. There is one new sunspot: AR3214, which emerged just to the west of AR3311. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 19, 2023: BAM, BAM, BAM! A fiesta of M flares

The sunspot region we observed M flaring yesterday, just beyond the sun’s northeast limb, is now fully in sight and flaring like crazy. Now numbered AR3311, it blasted nine M flares in a row over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). If not for one isolated C5.2 flare by AR3310, AR3311 would be the only flare producer for the day. Wow. What a region. Due to AR3311’s position on the solar disk, none of the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) produced during these M flares are Earth-directed. But as the sun rotates – carrying this sunspot towards a more geoeffective position – its CME production might bring us some wonderful auroral displays. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high with the production of nine M flares from newly-labeled region AR3311. The largest was an M5.4 flare at 00:48 UTC on May 19. Total flaring production of the day was 22 flares: nine Ms and 13 Cs. All but one flare came from this newcomer region on the northeast limb. Here’s the breakdown of AR3311’s nine M flares (all times in UTC):
M2.2 at 11:47, May 18
M1.9 at 12:13, May 18
M1.6 at 12:49, May 18
M1.1 at 17:51, May 18
M3.9 at 20:23, May 18
M4.5 at 21:05, May 18
M5.4 at 0:48, May 19 (the largest)
M1.6 at 3:12, May 19
M2.5 at 5:00, May 19
What a day!
R1 (minor) radio blackouts were observed after each M flare over the sun-facing part of Earth. The M5.4 flare produced an R2 (moderate) radio blackout that affected an area over the Pacific Ocean.  Today, the sun has seven labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 18, 2023: Action ramping up on the eastern limb

The east is now the area to watch on our sun. An active region beyond the northeast solar horizon was the past day’s top flare producer (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). It produced two back to back M flares and an array of Cs. The first, an M1.0, blasted this morning at 06:26 UTC, and the second, an M1.2 flare, was fired at 06:55 UTC. With old sunspot region AR3288 rotating back into view on the southeast limb (now re-numbered as AR3310), this gives us two regions in the east ramping up the action. On top of that, two large eastern coronal holes emerged close to the equator. Their high-speed solar wind will soon reach Earth, so geomagnetic disturbance is on its way! Not all the action is in the east, though. A beautiful, enormous prominence danced off the northwest limb around 3:32 UTC today, May 18 – check it out below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. There were 16 flares produced during the period (from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today): 2 Ms and 14 Cs. The largest was an M1.2 flare at 06:55 UTC on May 18 from a region behind the northeast limb (edge). The blast caused an R1 (minor) radio blackout that affected an area over India. AR3288 has made its long-awaited return to the Earth-viewed sun after days of producing jets, active prominences, and yesterday’s almost-X flare from behind the solar horizon. Now it has rotated fully into sight, it has been re-labeled AR3310 for its second trip across the Earth-viewed solar disk. AR3209 has emerged from nowhere in the middle of the solar southwest quadrant. Today the sun has seven labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 17, 2023: Active sunspot region is back

Yes! The old M flare producer we were talking about yesterday has returned to the Earth-viewed sun, bringing an M flare with it. Before rotating fully into view on the southeast limb, old friend AR3288 gave us an M9.6 flare at 16:43 UTC on May 16. The blast registered as an M, but since it happened behind the limb (edge) it was actually almost certainly an X flare! The explosion produced a coronal mass ejection (CME), but it is not Earth-bound. Shortly after the flare, an R2 (moderate) radio blackout affected an area over the Caribbean. Meanwhile, on the southwest limb (edge), LASCO C2 observed an impressive CME at around 17:36 UTC on May 16. The eruption happened beyond the southwest limb, so the CME is not Earth-oriented.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high, with an M9.6 flare at 16:43 UTC on May 16. It was the largest event during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). Flaring production of the period was 13 flares: the M, plus 12 C flares. Nine flares, including the M9.6, came from a region just behind the southeast limb (edge). It is probably the region formerly known as AR3288, returning back into our view having passed across the far side of the sun. We have to wait a few more days until it receives a new number for its next trip across the Earth-facing sun, and before we can determine the full extent of the region. At present it appears to be a fairly large sunspot. The sun currently has seven labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 16, 2023: Possible return for old M flare producer

Low sun activity continues, with only faint C flares produced over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). But a long-lasting prominence is dancing off the sun’s southwest limb, indicating an active sunspot region just over the edge. This might be associated with our old M-flare producer, AR3288. Perhaps it survived its journey across the far side of the sun – the side we don’t see from Earth – and will soon rotate back into view. Finally, don’t miss today’s LASCO C3 imagery, below, which features a visit from the famous asterism Pleiades!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. During the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), we had only six C flares. The largest was a C1.9 flare at 14:56 UTC on May 15, which came from sunspot region AR3306. Region AR3307 emerged in the southeast near the equator. AR3305 was the most active region, with three C flares. AR3305 is showing some magnetic complexity (beta-gamma classification) while the rest are simple regions. The sun currently has six labeled active regions on the sun’s Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 15, 2023: A multi-wavelength view of our star

Sun activity is low today. In the past 24 hours, there’ve been only small C flares. But you wouldn’t know it looking at our star. When we observe the sun in visible light, we see sunspots. But – in order to see at a variety of wavelengths – in 2010, NASA launched a solar telescope into space onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). And, becasuse SDO is above Earth’s atmosphere, scientists can observe the sun with types of light that Earth’s atmosphere blocks. These are the more energetic wavelengths of light, extreme-ultraviolet, showing a much more dynamic and exciting sun. So SDO has forever changed our understanding of the sun, by providing images of it at 10 different wavelengths every 12 seconds.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with 11 C flares produced over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C3.4 flare at 00:46 UTC on May 15 from sunspot region AR3306. The sun currently has five labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 14, 2023: It’s a quiet day on the sun

It’s all relative. This is a common phrase used to point out that something should be considered with respect to something else, not just on its own. That would apply for what quiet means on the sun today. Today is a quiet day with low sun activity. There are 12 C flares and no significant coronal mass ejections (CMEs). But just two years ago today, a quiet sun meant no C flares and only four B flares (10 times smaller than a C flare). There were no CMEs. After having several Earth-directed CMEs and several M flares over the last week, today looks relatively quiet. This is all an indication that we are fast approaching solar maximum. These periods of “quiet” will be shorter and less frequent over the next couple of years. We wait for what the sun has to bring next. Stay tuned for more excitement.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with 12 C flares produced over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C7 flare at 9:07 UTC by sunspot region AR3296. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 13, 2023: Departing sunspot delivers a farewell eruption

Sunspot region AR3296 has been nearing the northwest solar limb (edge). But, before being carried out of view by the sun’s rotation, this active region delivered a breathtaking prominence eruption. The blast produced double C flares. The first was a C5.5 flare, at 23:48 UTC on May 12. And the second was a C9.1, at 00:45 UTC on May 13. This second flare was almost an M flare. AR3296’s transit across the Earth-facing side of the sun – over the past week or so – has been exciting! This sunspot region has the odd anti-Hale polarity. That is, its north and south poles are opposite the other sunspots in its hemisphere. It produced 11 M and 38 C flares during the time we were able to view it. It also carried a delta region – indicating a potential for more powerful flares, like M or X flares – more than once. The only thing it didn’t bring us was an actual X flare. We haven’t seen an X flare since March 29, 2023.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with 14 C flares produced over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C9.1 flare at 00:45 UTC by AR3296. The region produced six out the 14 C flares. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 12, 2023: A huge sunspot could arrive soon

Scientists have spied a huge sunspot on the back side of the sun, using helioseismology with data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The sun’s rotation should carry the spot onto the Earth-facing solar disk in five to six days. So now we wait to see if the region lasts that long! Closer to home, solar wind parameters have indicated the arrival earlier today of the coronal mass ejection (CME) from May 9. While up to G3 (strong) geomagnetic storming was forecast, the disturbance only agitated the geomagnetic field to active levels (Kp = 4) early this morning, May 12. This event has proven difficult to analyze due to its complexity. But there’s still a chance for G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms later today. Finally, did you see our imagery yesterday of a beautiful, huge prominence? It hurled a CME into space at 7 UTC on May 11. It’s visible in LASCO C3 imagery below. The blast was not Earth-directed.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate, with one M flare and seven C flares produced over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was an M1.8 flare from AR3294 at 18:29 UTC on May 12. The flare produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout over Mexico. The sun currently has eight labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 11, 2023: CME coming our way, G3 storms expected

It has been confirmed: the full halo coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by an M4.2 flare on May 9 is coming our way. Its arrival is expected around 12 UTC today, May 11. Geomagnetic storming may reach G3 (strong) levels at around 15 UTC today, extending into early May 12. This could mean auroral displays for northern latitudes as far south as New York State and Illinois in the US. Aurora watchers, polish your lenses! And please share your beautiful photos with us. Meanwhile on the sun itself, AR3296 has showed some decay and has lost its delta region, but it still retains its anti-Hale reverse polarity and moderate magnetic complexity. It will soon rotate out of view over the west limb (edge). The sun is also displaying three breathtaking closed loop prominences. The first appeared on the northeast limb (edge) at 18 UTC on May 10, the second on the northwest limb at around 2 UTC on May 11, and a third at 7 UTC, May 11.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. There were 15 flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today: 13 Cs and two M flares. Both of the Ms were M2.2 flares. The first came from sunspot AR3296 at 14:21 UTC on May 10, and the second came from AR3294 at 9:01 UTC on May 11. Both caused R1 (minor) radio blackouts. The first affected an area over Mexico and South of US, and the second an area over Saudi Arabia. The sun currently has seven labeled active regions on its Earth-facing side.

Sun activity for May 10, 2023: CME strikes Earth as more leave the sun

The awaited coronal mass ejection (CME) from May 7 struck Earth late last night (23:59 UTC on May 9). A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm followed. NOAA forecasters anticipate up to a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm today, continuing into the early hours of May 11. This may bring auroral displays to the northern U.S. – good luck, aurora-chasers! Meanwhile, the sun continues to fire off CMEs. We saw a full halo CME from an M4.2 flare by AR3296. This event produced a solar particle burst, which was accelerated by the CME shock wave. More intense flaring from AR3296 could be incoming, as it has now developed a delta region. This, combined with its anti-Hale nature, gives a strong indication for more activity, including possible X flaring. Stay tuned to see if AR3296 lives up to its potential.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high, with M4.2 and M5 flares. AR3296 was the main flare producer with both of the two M flares and 9 of the 10 C flares. The largest event, an M5 at 20:52 UTC on May 9, followed the M4.2 flare which was released at 18:20 UTC. As mentioned above, the M4.2 was the more notable event because it brought a full halo coronal mass ejection (CME) and a solar particle event accelerated by the CME shock wave. The sun currently has nine labeled active regions, including the addition of four newly-labeled newcomers: AR3300, AR3301, AR3302, and AR3203.

Sun activity for May 9, 2023: All eyes are on sunspot AR3296

Sunspot AR3296 has single-handedly brought sun activity to a high level, with M6.5, M2.3, M1.4 and M1.2 flares in the past day. The region does not currently have a delta region, that is, a region indicating a likelihood for M or X flares. But it still carries its anti-Hale feature, a reversed magnetic polarity (read about Hale’s Law here). And it has some magnetic complexity overall. Plus, it has increased in activity over the past 24 hours! It produced the four M flares, plus 16 of a total of 19 C flares observed over the past day. All of this gives us a force to reckon with.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high due to four M flares, including one flare stronger than M5. This largest event was an M6.5 from AR3296 at 3:54 UTC on May 9, 2023. The other M flares were, an M2.3 at 20:25 UTC on May 8, an M1.2 at 6:13 UTC on May 9, and an M1.4 at 10:20 UTC on May 9. All four M flares came from sunspot region AR3296. Each M flare produced its correspondent radio blackout and the largest flare produced an R2 (moderate) radio blackout affecting an area over Taiwan and the Philippine Sea. AR3296 produced 20 of the 23 flares observed in the past day (19 C flares and 4 M flares). The sun has five Earth-facing sunspot regions today.

Sun activity for May 8, 2023: Storming has started. More CMEs on the way

Sun activity is moderate, and there’s been activity both on the sun and at Earth. A coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth yesterday, causing geomagnetic storming. It struck at around 15:50 UTC on May 7 and caused a minor (G1) storm as May 8 began. It wasn’t the expected G2 storm. But it’s not over yet! We’re currently awaiting more CMEs at Earth and more geomagnetic activity over the next two to three days. And – as Earth was being buffeted late yesterday and early today by the CME (which is a large expulsions of solar plasma and magnetic fields from the sun) – the sun itself was getting busy with a long-duration M1.6 flare from AR3296 … and another CME directed our way. We await further analysis of the event. But all signs point to the possibility that the next few days will be exciting for aurora-watchers, here on Earth. Plus! The excitement on the sun might not be over. Both AR3296 and AR3297 have developed delta regions – a sign of more activity to come. Clear skies to all the aurora-watchers. Visit this post again tomorrow, for more fun sun news!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate due to two M flares and 10 C flares. The largest event was an M1.6/ M1.5 flare from AR3296 at 22:53 UTC on May 7, 2023. The other M flare, an M1.5 – and eight of the C flares – were from AR3296. The M flares registered as two events, but they were part of a single long-duration event. Long-duration events are typically associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). This long-duration event has an associated halo-CME, meaning that it appears to be heading directly for Earth. The sun has five Earth-facing sunspot regions.

Sun activity for May 7, 2023: Aurora alert! 3 days of activity ahead

Sun activity is low. But fun is expected here on Earth. Due to a pair of coronal holes and a volley of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from May 4 to May 5, a significant increase in geomagnetic storming is expected over the next three days. A moderate (G2) storm should start today, May 7, then a severe (G3) storm on May 8, followed by a minor (G1) storm on May 9, 2023. These activity levels should bring auroral displays to northern Europe, Alaska, Canada, and northern US states. Auroras might also be in the forecast for New Zealand and Tasmania. Wishing you clear skies and lots of luck, aurora-watchers! Stay tuned for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low due to six C flares. The largest event was a C4.7 flare from AR3299 at 21:42 UTC on May 6, 2023. The sun has five Earth-facing sunspot regions.

Sun activity for May 6, 2023: Geomagnetic storms, with more on the way

The early arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME) – combined with fast solar wind – triggered a G1 (minor) and a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm. This caused auroral displays in Canada last night, and at least two northern-tier U.S. states, even with the light of a full moon. The G1 and G2 thresholds were reached at 2:53 UTC and 4:50 UTC respectively on May 6. Did you see the auroras? If not, there’s more geomagnetic storming predicted for tonight. Today’s moderate sun activity produced a couple of CMEs, indicating an Earth-directed component arriving on May 8, 2023. Share your pictures with the Earthsky community. And stay tuned for what’s next.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate due to an M1.2 flare from AR3296 at 15:31 UTC on May 5, 2023. But, almost unbelievably, active region AR3288 – now out of sight on the Earth-viewed solar disk – is still flaring at us from far behind the solar horizon. It blasted a C9.8 flare at 22:27 UTC on May 5, 2023. It was almost an M flare, there are good chances it would have appeared as a much-larger blast, if anyone had been on that side of the sun to see it. Overall, the Earth-viewed side of the sun produced five C flares and one M flare. The sun currently has five Earth-facing labeled sunspot regions.

Sun activity for May 5, 2023: The Sun King sheds its crown

The image below shows a large filament – called a polar crown filament – that exploded on the north pole of our sun yesterday. The LASCO C2 and C3 instruments on the SOHO spacecraft registered the ejecta at around 13 UTC on May 4, 2023. The plasma was ejected during the event and, momentarily, the prominence formed a crown-like halo. Then our star, the Sun King, shed its crown as the filament erupted into space. Nearly coincidentally a halo coronal mass ejection (CME) occurred. Preliminary analysis found it a separate event coming from the far side of the sun, the side we don’t see. So the CME isn’t Earth-directed. But all of this CME activity is very apparent when we observe the sun using the artificial eclipses created by the LASCO coronagraph telescopes aboard the SOHO spacecraft. Sunspot region AR3296 has retained its reversed magnetic polarity compared to the regions surrounding it (see yesterday’s entry). It has kept sun activity at moderate levels by releasing an M2.1 flare with a filament eruption. AR3293 continues with its delta magnetic configuration (an indication of possible strong flares to come) and AR3288 – even from the far side – continues blasting C flares, providing beautiful prominences on the sun’s southwest limb (edge). Stay with us for more sun news.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. There were one M and 13 C flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). Even from the far side, at the very edge of the southwest limb, active region AR3288 was the lead producer of the day with nine C-class flares. The largest flare of the day was the M2.1 blasted at 08:01 UTC on May 5, 2023. It  produced a R1 radio blackout over the Arabian Sea. The sun currently has seven Earth-facing labeled sunspot regions.

Sun activity for May 4, 2023: A mixed-up sunspot

As the image below shows, an exciting complex of sunspot regions is appearing in the sun’s northeast quadrant. While sun activity has calmed a bit since yesterday, we are still at moderate levels because of M flares from two of these spots: AR3293 (on May 3) and AR3296 (at the time of this writing, 11 UTC on May 4). One interesting thing to note is that AR3296, which produced an M3.9 flare, appears to have a reversed magnetic polarity compared to the regions surrounding it. The sunspot group appears to be violating Hale’s law, which says sunspots in a single solar hemisphere will have the same polarity as other spots in that hemisphere. Sunspot polarity will be opposite in the opposite hemisphere, by the way, at any given time. And sunspot polarity in the sun’s two hemispheres will reverse with each solar cycle. So! Will the mixed-up polarity of AR3296 interact with other nearby sunspot groups to produce more activity? We’ll have to wait and see.
Last 24 hours: There were 3 M and 16 C flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). AR3293 and the new region, AR3296, were the leading flare producers. AR3293 produced an M1.7 at 12:23 UTC and an M2.2 at 13:43 UTC on May 3. AR3296 produced the largest event, an M3.9, at 8:05 UTC on May 4. All three M flares produced R1 radio blackouts over the sun-facing side of Earth. The sun currently has seven Earth-facing numbered sunspot regions.

Sun activity for May 3, 2023: Activity is on the rise!

Yesterday’s M7.1 flare producer was sunspot region AR3288. Now AR3288 is being carried out of view in the southwest by the sun’s rotation. And sunspot region AR3293 – in the northeast – has taken over as the activity leader. And what activity! AR3293 popped off three back-to-back M flares today, by the time of this writing (11 UTC, May 3). It released an M4.3, then an M3.1, followed by an M7.1. This trio of blasts means that – as AR3288 did before it – AR3293 is living up to the potential of its delta region (delta regions often produce the most intense solar flares). As AR3288 and its partner AR3285 rotate out of view in the southwest, AR3293 keeps up the momentum in the northeast and is joined by three new regions: AR3294, AR3296, and AR3297. Will there be more to come? Will AR3293 give us an X flare? Stay tuned for more sun news, as we look for what’s next from our star!
Last 24 hours: There were three M and 14 C flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). AR3288 was the leading flare producer with 10 C flares, but the largest event – an M7.1 – came from AR3293 at 10:45 UTC on May 3. An R2 (minor) radio blackout occurred over Africa. The other M flares came just before the M7.1, all from AR3293. These eruptions were back-to-back; first came an M4.3 at 9:15 UTC, then an M3.1 at 10:14 UTC, May 3. There are currently eight labeled active regions on the Earth-viewed side of our sun.

Sun activity for May 2, 2023: High, with an M7.1 flare

True to its potential, sunspot region AR3288 released an M7.1 flare, bringing sun activity levels to high over the past day. Note the intensity of the flare. It nearly fell into the X flare category, which describes the strongest flares. Sunspot region AR3293 has also tried to keep up, with a barrage of C flares. Like AR3288, AR3293 now has its own delta region. Delta sunspots produce the most intense solar flares. So, though not quite as complex and large as AR3288, AR3293 now joins AR3288 as regions with the potential for more large M and X flare activity. The explosion releasing the M7.1 flare also had a filament eruption. But the material failed to leave the sun, so there was no visible CME associated with the event. Now we wait to see if either region will bring any additional action. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: There were 19 flares during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), mostly from AR3288 and AR3293. All of the flares were C flares, except for the largest event of the period: the M7.1 from AR3288 at 13:02 UTC, May 1. Shortly after the M flare, an R2 (moderate) radio blackout affected an area over Africa’s northeast coast. The sun has six labeled active regions today.

Sun activity for May 1, 2023: On the rise

A new sunspot region, AR3293, has rotated into view on the sun’s northeast limb. The region erupted with an M2.4 flare, and region AR3288 followed shortly thereafter with an M1.1. Together, these two M flares have raised sun activity to moderate levels. AR3288 still contains its delta region, a possible indication of more strong flaring to come. AR3293 is not as magnetically complex; however, its magnetic complexity is more difficult to determine, due to its location on the edge of the solar disk. We’ll have to wait for it to rotate more into view. Maybe there are larger flares to come. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: The most active sunspot region is AR3293. It produced most of the 15 flares (13 C and 2 M) during the past day. And it produced the past day’s largest event, an M2.4 at 19:56 UTC on April 30, 2023. AR3288 produced the other M flare, an M1.1 at 00:55 UTC on May 1, 2023. The sun has six labeled active regions today.

Bottom line: Sun activity archive for May 2023. A daily record of flaring, and other sorts of activity, on our local star.

The post Sun activity archive for May 2023 first appeared on EarthSky.

Sunspot region AR3288 continues to attract our attention. One part has retained a delta magnetic classification. And that means it still has a potential for significant flare activity. But, overall, sun activity hasn’t yet moved above the low level. That’s because only C flares have been observed. But the flaring chances have noticeably increased for C, M, and X flares. The region next to AR3288, region AR3285, is also producing C flares seemingly in concert with its neighbor. We will continue to watch both areas.
Last 24 hours: AR3288 and AR3285 produced all but one of the 11 C flares in the last 24 hours. The largest event was a C7.4 from AR3288 at 8:37 UTC on April 30, 2023. The sun has six labeled active regions today.

Sun activity for April 29, 2023: A new potential for X flares

Yesterday’s M flare producer, AR3288, has developed a delta region. This indicates that it harbors the potential for more M flares, and possibly X flares. So this active region is the one to watch at the moment.
Last 24 hours: AR3288 produced most of the 19 C flares observed over the past day (11 UTC April 28 to 11 UTC April 29). That’s more than yesterday’s total, so flaring production is already up. But the lack of any M flares means that – overall – sun activity has reduced from moderate to low. We saw 19 C flares over the past day. The largest was a C7.2 flare from sunspot AR3288 at 21:45 UTC on April 28. We saw a C6.8 flare from AR3289 at 16 UTC on April 28. Both of these flares had associated filament eruptions. The sun has six labeled active regions today.

Sun activity for April 28, 2023: Double solar flares, plus a coming storm

The number of solar flares produced over the last 24 hours was double the previous day’s total. One of these 16 flares was an M1.8, produced by AR3288 near the beginning of our observation period (11 UTC April 27 to 11 UTC April 28). And so the sun has increased to moderate activity, as we await a possible G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm over Earth today. Over the past day we have seen active geomagnetic conditions (Kp = 4) produced by fast solar wind from a coronal hole. On top of this, we’re expecting the possible arrival of the CME that was hurled into space on April 24. Only a glancing blow is expected. In fact, there’s a chance it has already missed us. If it does still brush by Earth, auroras might be witnessed as far south as northern states in the U.S., over the coming day. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity has increased to moderate levels, with flare productivity picking up during the past day. We observed 15 C flares and one M flare. It was sunspot AR3288 that fired off an M1.8 flare at 11:14 UTC on April 27. The explosion produced an R1 (minor) radio blackout that affected an area over Africa. AR3288 was also the leading flare producer of the past day, with 8 C flares, plus the M flare. The sun has seven labeled active regions, including a newcomer numbered AR3289.

Sun activity for April 27, 2023: CME impact expected today

Spaceweather forecasters are expecting the April 24 coronal mass ejection (CME) to brush past Earth today, producing up to a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm. Good luck aurora watchers! A filament erupted from the east-northeast side of the solar disk, producing a CME that’s headed mostly away from Earth. We await any further analysis to see if it might brush past Earth in a few days. Meanwhile, the sun is sporting three coronal holes, including two Earth-directed ones currently rattling our magnetic field with fast solar wind. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low. That is, the sunspot regions peppering the solar disk are not very active. But that could change at any time. There were eight C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C3.1 at 00:41 UTC on April 27 by AR3289. Today the sun has six labeled active regions.

Sun activity for April 26, 2023: Action coming from the northeast

Action is arriving on the sun’s northeast limb (edge). A newly-labeled active region has just come into view on this limb: meet AR3289! And there seems to be activity following closely behind it. We saw a huge prominence on the far side of the sun, coming from AR3289’s vicinity. The blast occurred at around 7 UTC on April 26. It fired off a coronal mass ejection (CME), but the CME isn’t aimed our way. Turning to the solar northwest, we spied a long-lasting tornado-like prominence, which ended with an ejection of plasma. And on the southwest quadrant, a filament eruption produced a CME which, again, is not Earth-oriented. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low. There were only two weak C1.1 flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The first was fired at 19:12 UTC on April 25 by an unnumbered active region in the northeast, and the second at 3:55 UTC on April 26 by AR3285. There are two newcomer active regions on the side of the sun we see. AR3288 emerged from nowhere on the southeast quadrant, while AR3289 on the northeast limb (edge) had been announcing its entrance for several days. AR3286 has disappeared. And AR3282 and AR3284 have rotated out of view in the west. So today the sun bears five labeled active regions. All of these are stable.

Sun activity for April 25, 2023: Storm over, but more action coming

The G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm is over, with Earth’s magnetic field returning to quiet levels. But the area on our sun that produced the storm has been active again. An exploding filament has been observed in the vicinity of a large coronal hole in the southwest, the same location that produced the full-halo event of April 21. The explosion happened at around 14 UTC on April 24. A CME was registered by the LASCO C3 imager aboard NASA’s SOHO spacecraft, as seen in our top animation (alongside SDO imagery). Preliminary analysis suggests that a glancing blow from this CME might reach us late on April 27. That means more auroras are expected, but at a lower level than what we just saw. Plus, it looks like more action is on its way: check out the imagery below of a fiery east limb (edge) with prominences all over, now rotating into view. And there are currently two coronal holes on the Earth-side of our star. One is located in the southwest quadrant close to the limb (edge), and the second is located where the central meridian and the equator meet – this one helped provide the spectacular auroras of the last few days! So more action is coming – stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains at low levels. There were seven C flares produced during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). A C2.8 flare was the largest of the day, produced by active region AR3282 at 13:05 UTC on April 24. There are two newcomers on the Earth-viewed side of the sun: AR3286, which emerged from nowhere on the southeast quadrant, and AR3287 on the southeast limb (edge), brought into view by the sun’s rotation. The sun today bears six labeled active regions, all of which are stable.

Sun activity for April 24, 2023: Big night for auroras last night!

On April 21, 2023, we had a full-halo event, suggesting a coronal mass ejection (CME) on its way to Earth. It arrived at Earth late yesterday (April 23), and its effects combined with solar wind from a coronal hole to give us a great night for auroras! Geomagnetic storm levels reached G4 (severe); that’s just one step below the strongest ranking on the NOAA scale (G5, or extreme). Earth’s magnetic field has been disturbed with a Kp = 8 since last night (threshold reached at 18:49 UTC). And geomagnetic storming is expected to continue, albeit at less-strong levels, for the next few days. At the time of this writing (11 UTC on April 24), the geomagnetic index remains at a G3 (strong) level. Note that – exactly a month ago on March 24, 2023 – geomagnetic storming reached a similar G4 (severe) level. Last night, the same as a month ago, auroral displays have been reported in the Northern Hemisphere as far south as northern California, in U.S. and northern parts of the U.K. and Denmark in Europe. This morning, auroras are being reported from Utah and Colorado. Salt Lake City has even reported red auroral displays. What joy, with glorious auroras everywhere! Please share your photos with EarthSky’s community.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues at low levels. Only two C flares were produced during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), a C1.1 at 17:11 UTC and a C1.0 at 20:38 UTC. Both flares were blasted by active sunspot region AR3282. At the same time, the sun’s rotation is bringing more action to the Earth-viewed solar disk. Its east limb (edge), the side now rotating into view, is exceptionally fiery, with long-lasting prominences. See the animation below. The sun today bears six labeled active regions, all of which are stable.

Sun activity for April 23, 2023: CME arrival soon, G2 storms anticipated

It’s now confirmed that the coronal mass ejection (CME) hurled to space during the full-halo event of April 21, 2023, will arrive at Earth on late April 23, or early 24. NOAA has issued an alert for CME arrival. Geomagnetic storms up to G2 (moderate) are anticipated. Earth will be receiving this CME in addition to high-speed solar wind from a coronal hole. All in all, you can anticipate good conditions for auroral displays. Meanwhile, turning our heads back to the sun, we have seen an active east limb (edge). It seems more action will soon show itself on the Earth-facing side of our star. That side – the east limb (edge) –  has been full of exploding ejecta, jets and long-lasting prominences. Specialists can tell much activity is going on in that area. And the sun’s rotation will bring it into view in the coming days. There’s also now a new large coronal hole that emerged on the sun’s east hemisphere, close to the equator. Aurora watchers, polish your cameras lenses and have your equipment at hand!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is back to low levels. There was a recession in flaring with only three C flares produced during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C2.2 flare that blasted at 6:40 UTC on April 23, 2023 by active region AR3279. The biggest sunspot, AR3282, is now closed to the west on the solar horizon. Shortly, it will move out of sight as it gets carried by the sun’s rotation. The sun today bears six labeled active regions and all show a simple beta magnetic configuration. These spots are either stable or in decay.

Sun activity for April 22, 2023: Strong full-halo filament explosion

A strong filament explosion in the sun’s southern hemisphere caused a full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) late yesterday. In other words, the blast sent plasma into space that’s now coming Earth’s way. CMEs aimed at Earth are called halo events because of the way they appear in images of the sun. On images of an Earth-directed CME, you’ll see an apparent expanding cloud that can wholly envelop the sun, forming an apparent halo around our star. Yesterday’s halo event is associated with a M1.77 flare by sunspot active region AR3283. The flare happened at 18:12 UTC on April 21, 2023. Ultraviolet imagery shows an unstable filament exploding over a twisting magnetic structure, seeking its way to reconnect with the sun, creating an almost full circle before it funnels back into the sun. LASCO C2/ C3 imagery showed a full-halo CME signature shortly after the explosion. Type II and IV solar radio emissions were associated with the event. While the CME is coming our way, imagery and analysis are undergoing to determine a more precise transit time to Earth. After all, we are 93 million miles (150 million km) from our star. As you can see on our top animation, the event occurred in the vicinity of a large coronal hole in the sun’s southern hemisphere. A combined high-speed solar wind from this coronal hole along with the CME of this explosion might bring auroral display to Earth in the coming days.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is now moderate, with the production of the above-mentioned M1.77 flare by AR3283. Flaring production reduced during the period (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today) to four flares only, one M and three Cs. The largest was the much-discussed M1.77 flare. There’s a newcomer sunspot on the sun’s southeast limb (edge), now labeled AR3285. AR3282 continues to be the biggest in extent on the Earth-viewed solar disk. But it remained mostly quiet throughout the past day. The sun today bears six labeled active regions.

Sun activity for April 21, 2023: Dramatic end for eclipse prominence

Did you see the beautiful cone-like prominence on the north of the sun during yesterday’s hybrid solar eclipse? It’s gone today. It departed in an enormous explosion, shooting solar plasma into space (see the top animation for this dramatic moment). Plasma isn’t normal gas. It’s a 4th state of matter consisting of particles and magnetic fields, which interacts with the outer space environment of our solar system to produce space weather. One mechanism for this interaction is the phenomenon of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that blast from the sun. And this prominence did produce a CME. You can see it in the LASCO-C2 imagery below. CMEs can produce both beautiful auroras (which many love and watch for) as well as destruction to earthly technologies (causing power and communication blackouts). For this prominence’s CME, neither will occur, because the prominence was near the sun’s north pole, so its ejecta isn’t Earth-directed.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low. 12 C class flares were produced over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C3.3 flare, produced at 16:23 UTC on April 20 by an as-yet-unnumbered active region in the southeast. This region was the lead flare producer, with five C flares. AR3282 continues to be the biggest in extent on the Earth-viewed solar disk. The sun bears today six labeled active regions. No newcomers today.

Sun activity for April 20, 2023: Huge sunspot region AR3282

We had a glorious solar eclipse earlier today. Did you see it? Many did in northwestern Australia, Timor-Leste or Indonesia and/or via live-stream. View eclipse pics from our community, here. See the giant sunspot region in the photo above, by Vermont Coronel Jr in the Philippines? That’s AR3282 was the lead flare producer with six C explosions. Over the past day, we also saw exploding filaments release coronal mass ejections (CMEs), none of which are Earth-bound, and a very active solar west with long lasting prominences. Maybe you saw some of those prominences during the eclipse, when the moon covered the sun completely. Overall activity on the sun was low over the past day. But flare production increased from the day before. Also, another aurora alert for tonight! Details below.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. 21 C class flares were produced during the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). The largest was a C3.6 flare that came from by sunspot region AR3281 at 9:22 UTC on April 20, 2023. AR3282 was the lead flare producer with six C explosions. AR3281 followed closely with five C flares. The sun bears today six labeled active regions.

Sun activity for April 19, 2023: Geomagnetic storm possible today

G1 (minor) geomagnetic storming is predicted for today through April 20 and 21, 2023. The reason is two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have set to reach Earth over today and tomorrow. That means … auroras! The first CME left the sun on April 15, and might arrive early today, April 19. Any geomagnetic disturbance will be extended through the rest of the day. The second CME was detected by GOES-16 SUVI imagery on April 16 (see animation below) and might arrive on April 20, with effects possibly continuing through April 21. NOAA is forecasting auroral displays for tonight and tomorrow night, with geomagnetic storms predicted up to G1 (minor). Good luck, aurora chasers! By the way, today is an eclipse day. It falls on April 19 in the Americas (but it’s not visible from here) and April 20 across the International Date Line. The eclipse will be visible in Australia, Timor-Leste and Indonesia. Get the full details here.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity remains low. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, our star produced a total of 16 C flares. The largest was a C4.8, blasted by AR3280. After being carried out of sight yesterday by the sun’s rotation, this active region is now located behind the sun’s southwest limb (edge). The explosion occurred at 15:29 UTC on April 18. AR3280 was the day’s leading producer with five C flares. The Earth-viewed side of our sun is currently populated with seven labeled sunspots. Most of the seven sunspots show decay. The active regions that yesterday showed a beta-gamma configuration – AR3281 and AR3282 – have reduced to beta. AR3282 continues to be the biggest in extent.

Sun activity for April 18, 2023: Farewell, AR3280. Welcome, AR3284

Today we say farewell to sunspot region AR3280. This spot had emerged abruptly on the southwest quadrant on April 14. It grew rapidly into a beta-gamma magnetic configuration, creating expectations for possible increased flaring. During its short life on the Earth-facing side of our star, it was the lead flare producer for a couple of days. But it produced only C flares. Now AR3280 has rotated out of sight on the sun’s southwest limb (edge). Meanwhile, we welcome AR3284 on the sun’s east limb: the side just now rotating into view. This sunspot was the producer of yesterday’s largest flare, a C9.1 flare (near the boundaries of the Ms) while still on the sun’s far side. Now AR3284 is here! Let’s see what it brings.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with C flares only. From 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today, the sun produced 13 C class flares. The largest was a C6.9, produced by AR3283. It occurred at 14:31 UTC on April 17. AR3283 is our lead flaring producer of the day with six flares during the period. The sun currently bears eight labeled sunspots on its Earth-facing side. There are two sunspots showing a beta-gamma configuration: AR3281 and AR3282. The biggest in extent is AR3282.

Sun activity for April 17, 2023: A blast from the east

Sun activity continues firing away at low levels. But we did see an explosion that almost reached the M flare threshold. It was a C9.1 flare that blasted at 17:44 UTC on April 16, 2023. It came from an incoming active region on the sun’s northeast limb (edge). The sunspot will not receive a label until it comes completely into Earth’s view. Before experts can give a sunspot a label and assign a number to the active region, Earth needs to be in complete view of the sunspot. Still, the C9.1 flare was impressive. And a strong prominence followed it, also from the vicinity of this sunspot. Meanwhile, regions AR3281 and AR3282 showed minor growth while keeping their beta-gamma magnetic configurations. The rest of the sunspots on the Earth-viewed side of the solar circle remained either stable or are showing signs of decay.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity continues to be low. There were 13 C flares during this period. As explained above, the largest was a C9.1 flare that occurred at 17:44 UTC on April 16, 2023, on the northeast limb (edge) by an unnumbered active sunspot region. The lead flare producer of the day was AR3280, which blasted 5 C class flares. There is also a new kid on the block, AR3283, which emerged on the southeast quadrant. The Earth-facing side of our star today bears nine  labeled active regions.

Sun activity for April 16, 2023: Filaments and other fiery details

Sun activity returned to low levels during the past day, with only C flares on the Earth-viewed side of our star. But take a look at our top animation for lots of mesmerizing action. Find a coronal mass ejection (CME) on the northwest quadrant and an exploding filament on the northeast, occurring almost at the same time. Beautiful ejecta can be seen on the southeast quadrant. And, on the northwest, you can see a giant filament explosion. Finally – also in the top animation – there’s a jet-prominence on the southwest. It can be noted it comes from the far side. Can’t see it? Check out the closeup animation below. Keep looking at the animation above. You might find more details of your own to enjoy. All in all, fiery activity all around our side of the sun, is still considered low-level activity!
Last 24 hours: In all, over the past day (between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today), there were 18 C flares. That was the total flaring produced during the period. The largest was a C5.4 flare blasted at 17:23 UTC on April 15, 2023 by sunspot AR3280. Two sunspot regions shared first place on flare productivity, AR3280 and AR3281, with six C flares each. Both now show a beta-gamma configuration, indicating (possibly) a potential for more flaring. AR3282 reduced its flare production of yesterday (when it had high magnetic complexity, two M flares and 11 Cs) to only three Cs during the past day. The Earth-side of our star today bears eight  labeled active regions.

Sun activity for April 15, 2023: Newcomer sunspot AR3282 blasts 2 M flares

After several days of only C flares, sun activity has now reached moderate levels, with two M flares from AR3282 in the past day. This newcomer sunspot released an M1.1 at 16:18 UTC on April 14. And it released an M1.5 at 23:27 UTC on April 14. The two were minor impulsive flares (impulsivity refers to how quickly the initial energy release occurs). The most recent M flare before yesterday was on April 11. AR3282 is also today’s largest sunspot region on the Earth-viewed side of our star. It’s currently showing a beta magnetic configuration. Meanwhile, AR3280 – on the southwest solar quadrant – is the region currently showing the highest magnetic complexity of the day (beta-gamma). A more complex magnetic structure suggests a greater likelihood for solar flares. But you never know. Meanwhile, take a last look, in our animation below, at the 2023 passage of Jupiter beyond the sun, as seen by the LASCO C2 imager on NASA’s SOHO spacecraft. The image is from yesterday, April 14. Jupiter reached superior conjunction on April 11. It has now gone out of the field of the view of SOHO’s instruments, but it’s heading for a return to our eastern predawn sky in the weeks ahead. Visit EarthSky’s night sky guide.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. There were 19 C flares and two M flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was an M1.5 flare, blasted by sunspot AR3282 at 23:27 UTC on April 14. AR3282 was the leading producer with 11 flares, the two M flares included. After each M flare, corresponding R1 (minor) radio blackouts were registered. The first affected an area over the east Caribbean and the second over the Pacific Ocean, north of New Guinea. There are nine labeled active regions on the Earth-side of our sun today. Is sun activity picking up? We’ll see.

Sun activity for April 14, 2023: Quiet, but the sunspots keep coming

A couple of days ago, the sun showed only two sunspots on its Earth-viewed side. Now our star – as seen from Earth – has nine sunspots! Here’s a breakdown of the sunspots today:
AR3272 in the SW
AR3273 in the NW
AR3275 in the NE
AR3276 in the SE
AR3278 in the NW
AR3279 in the SE
AR3280 in the SW
AR3281 in the SE
AR3282 in the NE
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is still low. There were 10 C flares produced between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today. The largest was a C8.5, blasted by sunspot AR3272 at 11:07 UTC on April 13. AR3281 was the leading producer with four flares out of the 10. We have three newcomer sunspots today. AR3280 emerged from the sun’s southwest quadrant. AR3281 came into view on the southeast limb (edge). And AR3282 appeared on the northeast limb. We saw a jet blasted at around 16 UTC on April 13. It came from a region on the far side of our sun, which the sun’s rotation will soon carry into our view. See the animation below. With nine active regions, will sun activity pick up? We’ll see.

Sun activity for April 13, 2023: The splitting of AR3276, and solar deja vu

Sun activity is low. But what happened to sunspot region AR3276? Turns out it split into two, much as AR3270 did on April 4. Solar deja vu! Since before it rotated into view on the sun’s southeast limb (edge) a few days ago, AR3276 has been the source of experts’ expectations. For one thing, it blasted an M flare plus a number of Cs, even before it was fully visible. Then, shortly after it rotated enough into view enough to get a label, it showed a beta configuration. There were hints it could be spreading out. Finally, early today, AR3270 was seen to have split into two separate sunspots. The “new” active region that emerged from AR3276’s vicinity was given a separate label: AR3279. And the newly numbered AR3279 thereby became the leader in flare production over the past day, with 13 C flares.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, with only C flares. But flare productivity picked up over the past day, in contrast to the day before. We saw a total of 16 flares from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today. As explained above, the main producer was the newcomer AR3279, on the sun’s southeast quadrant, with 13 C flares out of the 16 C flares produced in the past day. The largest was a C6.1, blasted at 11:53 UTC on April 12, 2023. There are currently seven labeled active regions on the Earth-viewed side of the sun. Remember just a few days ago, when there were only two?

Sun activity for April 12, 2023: Low, but check this out

Going against the trend of the past few days, sun activity is low. See detail below. But some we noticed some interesting sights around our star today. Brilliant Jupiter – our solar system’s biggest planet – reached its superior conjunction yesterday, traveling more or less behind the sun. The LASCO C2 instrument aboard the SOHO spacecraft – which moves around the sun in step with Earth, orbiting around the 1st Lagrangian point in the Earth-sun system (L-1) – caught it. See LASCO’s view of Jupiter in the animation below. Also, EarthSky friend Steven Bellavia captured a photo of the sun’s innermost planet Mercury this week with a beautiful comet-like tail. This is Mercury’s sodium tail, and it’s rarely seen. Read more about it here, and see Steve’s image below. Gorgeous! Thanks, Steve!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. From 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today, we saw only five C class flares. The largest was a C5.9, blasted by AR3272 at 22:42 UTC on April 11. The low activity goes against the trend of the past few days, during which AR3276 blasted an M flare from the sun’s far side, shortly before the sun’s rotation carried it into view. Despite the low activity, we spotted a couple of coronal mass ejections, as detailed below. The lead flare producer of the past day was AR3276: just two C flares. We said activity was low! There are currently five labeled active regions on the Earth-viewed side of the sun.

Sun activity for April 11, 2023: Meet AR3276

Sun activity is moderate, but we’ve seen action on the southeast limb (edge). A newcomer has been blasting flares, including yesterday’s M2.8 flare. Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today), AR3276 produced 10 C flares even before coming fully into view. Finally it was labeled; specialists need to have full view of an active region to assign a new number. In all (both not in view and in view), AR3276 was today’s leading flare producer with 17 C flares. So this is the guy to watch! In the meantime, two other new sunspots were labeled, too: AR3274, which emerged very near the point where the solar central meridian and equator meet, and AR3275 on the northeast quadrant. These two have been stable and present no relevant activity. Stay with us.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. The sun produced 25 C class flares and one M flare during the period from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today. The largest was an M1.3, blasted by AR3272 at 10:16 UTC on April 11. After the M flare an R1 (minor) radio blackout was observed affecting an area over Africa. AR3276 was the leading flare producer during the past day, with 17 flares. There are five labeled active regions on the Earth-viewed side of the sun.

Sun activity for April 9, 2023: AR3272 getting larger, coronal hole vanishing

Earth’s geomagnetic field continues calm. And the Earth-facing side of the sun has just two sunspot regions, plus a vanishing coronal hole. AR3270 appears on the sun’s southwest limb (edge) and it is now departing. All eyes are turned to AR3272, which recently rotated into view in the sun’s southeast quadtrant. During the past day, AR3272 increased in size and in the number of spots maintaining its beta-gamma configuration. Flaring productivity also increased (detailed below). NOAA forecasters increased their analysis of chances for C flares from AR3272 to 95%, which is now moving into a geoeffective position. That is a place on the sun where any possible CMEs from this region might affect Earth and cause auroral displays. Meanwhile, the sun’s far side looks to be bringing more action on the northeast limb (edge). We observed a gorgeous giant prominence early today, and GOES-16 captured it beautifully (image below).
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is considered low, but C-flare production increased over the past day. There were 19 C flares. And 18 of them came from active region AR3272. The largest was a C9.1, just shy of an M flare, that exploded earlier today (6:08 UTC on April 9, 2023). There are only two labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun today, and one is departing.

Sun activity for April 8, 2023: 13 Cs and an M, from 2 sunspots

A couple of days ago on April 6, an incoming active region on the sun’s southeast limb (edge) – still unnumbered at that time, as the sun’s rotation was carrying it into view – exploded with an M3.9 flare. Over the past day, this sunspot – now numbered AR3272 – gave us another M flare, plus a number of Cs. So sun activity is now considered moderate, despite the fact that there are only two visible spots on the Earth-facing side of the sun today. The M2.9 flare from AR3272 happened earlier today (details below). Before this M flare, we saw a strong C – a C5.8 – from the same region. Both flares looked beautiful, shining on the Earth-viewed solar disk. See our top animation, plus a zoomed-in version below. Meanwhile, at the other solar extreme – the southwest of the Earth-facing disk – yesterday’s hero AR3270 is about to be carried out of view. This region was calm and quiet over the past day, with a decayed penumbra and a beta configuration. If no other sunspot appears on the scene, after AR3270 leaves AR3272 will be the one to watch…and the only one! But you never know. Stay with us.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity climbed up to moderate with the M2.9 flare from AR3272 at 1:46 UTC on April 8. Shortly after the M flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout was registered, affecting an area north of New Guinea on the Pacific Ocean. Over the past day (11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today) we saw 14 flares: 13 Cs and the M flare. AR3272 takes the lead in flaring production with 12 flares in the past day (the M flare included). There are only two labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun today.

Sun activity for April 7, 2023: Huge blast from sun’s far side

Sun activity is back to low with only C-class flaring. But more action is coming our way from the sun’s far side. A huge prominence blasted from the sun’s southeast limb (edge), the side that’s now rotating into view. The blast took place at around 7 UTC on April 7 (see above animation). A coronal mass ejection (CME) can be seen, but it was not Earth-directed. Meanwhile, AR3270 – the active region we’ve followed for the past few days, which emerged abruptly, grew in magnetic complexity, then split into two – finally began to contribute flares. The largest flare of the past day exploded from it. It was a C3.9 at 14 UTC on April 6, with no CME. Now AR3270 is close to being carried out of sight by the sun’s rotation, on the southwest limb (edge). And AR3266 – in the northwest – is also leaving. No other significant events on the solar disk … for now. Stay tuned.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. We saw 10 C flares in the past day (from 11 UTC yesterday to 11 UTC today). As explained above, the largest flare was a C3.9 blasted at 14 UTC on April 6 by AR3270. AR3272 continued to be the lead flare producer. It blasted out six C flares of the 10 flares across the day. The coronal hole we saw emerging in the sun’s northern hemisphere yesterday is now almost touching the sun’s central meridian: the north-south line crossing the center of the sun’s visible face. Soon, this coronal hole will be geoeffective – capable of affecting Earth – with its high-speed solar wind. There are four labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun today.

Sun activity for April 6, 2023: M flare!

Is sun activity picking up? One swallow does not make a summer, but this morning’s M flare pushes solar activity up to moderate. The sun has been quiet for several days. We haven’t seen an M flare since March 30. An as-of-yet unnumbered region on the sun’s southeast limb – just now rotating into view – was the source. Because it occurred just over the sun’s limb, or edge, the flare might have been larger than M3.01. Part of it was occulted (blocked) by the sun.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate. There were 11 C flares and one M in the past day. This single M flare occurred at 5:53 UTC from an unnumbered sunspot region on the southeast limb (edge). Shortly after the flare, an R1 (minor) radio blackout was observed, affecting an area over the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. Also, a coronal hole has emerged on the sun’s northeast quadrant. There are three labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun today.

Sun activity for April 5, 2023: Potential X producer splits into two

Sun activity is low. And Earth’s geomagnetic field is also quiet. The large sunspot we mentioned yesterday – AR3270, which had appeared suddenly and grown quickly to a beta-gamma-delta configuration, indicating a potential for X flares – took a different direction during the past day. A second sunspot has now emerged close to AR3270. At first, this second sunspot was considered part of AR3270. But, during the past day, specialists considered it a separate sunspot region and numbered it AR3271. In the meantime, AR3270 started to simplify and lose its X flare potential. It lost its delta magnetic classification, for example. At this writing (11 UTC on April 5), AR3270 has decayed to a beta-gamma magnetic classification, while AR3271 has maintained an alpha configuration, the simplest. Along with the other two sunspots on Earth-facing regions, both AR3270 and AR3271 are stable with low flaring potential and production.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. There was only one C flare in the past day. This single C flare from AR3270 barely crossed the B class threshold. It reached a C1.1 class at 3:29 UTC on April 5. There are four labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun today.

Sun activity for April 4, 2023: Is the new sunspot region an X producer?

Sun activity is low. But big activity could come soon. Sunspot region AR3270 emerged very quickly on April 2. Now it is about the area of Earth. It has also grown from a fairly simple region to one containing a delta region over the past day. The delta magnetic classification shows mixing in the magnetic fields indicative of stronger flaring activity. Its overall complexity is now classified as beta-gamma-delta, a strong sign of M and possibly X flares to come. Will this region give us a show and produce an X flare? We don’t know yet, but the potential is growing. Exciting! Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low. There were nine C flares. The largest event was a C2.8 flare at 23:53 UTC on April 3 from AR3270. There was a 12-hour gap of no significant flaring between 10:05 UTC and 22:17 UTC on April 3. AR3270 produced all the flares during the period. There are four labeled active regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun.

Sun activity for April 3, 2023: Here comes the sunspot

Sun activity is low, but has picked up since the previous 24 hours. This is due to a newly emerged sunspot region that seems to have come out of nowhere. The region began to appear near center of the sun’s Earth-facing disk around 9:30 UTC on April 2, 2023. The region looks much like an atoll in the middle of an ocean. This shape is probably because of the sunspot emerging along the edges of a giant bubble of solar material. Solar material bubbles to the surface in convection cells much like the bubbles in a pot of boiling water. The large-scale bubbles are called supergranulation cells. It’s fun to see the sunspot rise from below the sun’s visible surface or photosphere. Now we await what the region brings in terms of flaring. Since its emergence, it has produced three C flares. Will the flaring continue? Inquiring minds want to know. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low with four C flares. The largest event was a C3.4 at 23:04 UTC, April 2, 2023 from the newly emerged region AR3270. Three of the four flares came from AR3270 and the other C flare came from the east limb (edge). There are four numbered active regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun.

Sun activity for April 2, 2023: A very quiet sun day

Sun activity is very low. The sun appears to be taking a little break for the weekend. Flaring has barely reached the C level with just one C1.0 flare. Yesterday, we saw several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) produced by filament eruptions but nothing heading our way. We don’t see any significant sunspot regions on the back side using helioseismology. Even the geomagnetic field is calm for now. Enjoy the calm knowing that the sun can and will continue to surprise us. We await the next flurry of activity with bated breath. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is very low with only a C1.0 flare at 8:03 UTC, April 2, 2023 from AR3260. There are three numbered active regions on the Earth-facing side of the sun.

Sun activity for April 1, 2023: Coronal mass ejections, none Earth-bound

Sun activity is low. But we saw gorgeous prominences all around the sun’s edges, particularly on the west or receding edge, both north and south. The prominences were accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), but none were Earth-directed. Take a look to our top animation: The second largest flare of the past day was a C6.8 flare by AR3257 at 3:28 UTC on April 1. The long-lasting prominence on the sun’s northwest limb – which we saw throughout yesterday – ended in beautiful ejecta. And on the southwest limb, fiery prominences blazed. The southwest prominences might be the output of the now-departed AR3256, which produced Wednesday’s X flare. But we can’t know for sure, as they came from the sun’s far side. But LASCO C2 and C3 captured the CMEs that they produced. Take a look at the animation below from LASCO C3. Be sure to watch for Jupiter’s entrance onto the scene! Jupiter will pass most directly behind the sun as seen from Earth on April 11.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is low, in both flare production and intensity. Seven C flares and a faint B flare made a total of only eight flares between 11 UTC March 31 and 11 UTC April 1. The largest was an impulsive C9.7 flare, almost reaching the threshold of an M flare. It was produced at 20:57 UTC on March 31 by AR3257, which has now decayed to plage. There are four numbered active regions on the Earth-viewed side of our sun today.

Bottom line: Sun activity archive for April 2023. A daily record of flaring, big filaments and prominences, and other sorts of activity, on our local star.

The post Sun activity archive for April 2023 first appeared on EarthSky.