Sol (Sun) and its phenomena

[Puma]

SOLAR CYCLE 25 ACTIVITY REPORT APR 21

▪︎Latest Solar wind speed record: 444.1 km/sec
▪︎density: 6.4 protons/cm3
▪︎Sunspot number: 80 (SN 68 apr 20)
▪︎ Neutron Counts today: +7.7% High
▪︎Geomagnetic conditions now Kp2 quiet
▪︎Strong M9.73 solar flare from AR2993
▪︎Sunspot complex AR2993-94 poses a threat for X-class solar flares.
▪19 Sunspots in AR2993, 8 Sunspots in AR2994. The sunspots have a magnetic classification beta-gamma more likely to produce intense flares.

The different classifications​

1. α – Alpha:
   A unipolar sunspot group.
2. β – Beta:
   A sunspot group that has a positive and a negative polarity (or bipolar) with a simple division between the polarities.
3. γ – Gamma:
   A complex region in which the positive and negative polarities are so irregularly distributed that they can’t be classified as a bipolar Sunspot group.
4. β-γ – Beta-Gamma:
   A bipolar sunspot group but complex enough so that no line can be drawn between spots of opposite polarity.
5. δ – Delta:
   The umbrae of opposite polarity in a single penumbra.
6. β-δ – Beta-Delta:
   A sunspot group with a general beta magnetic configuration but contains one (or more) delta sunspots.
7. β-γ-δ – Beta-Gamma-Delta:
   A sunspot group with a beta-gamma magnetic configuration but contains one (or more) delta sunspots.
8. γ-δ – Gamma-Delta
   A sunspot group with a gamma magnetic configuration but contains one (or more) delta sunspots.

More than half of the observed sunspot groups receive an Alpha or Beta classification, where bigger sunspots are often more complex and get a Beta, Beta-Gamma or Beta-Gamma-Delta classification. It is well known that delta sunspots can be very active and produce the most intense solar flares.

StackPath

▪︎There were 9 CME yesterday

CME WATCH: With all the large flares, perhaps it is not surprising that we have a lot of spectacularly beautiful coronal mass ejections tonight. There are at least 6 in this 2-day movie, most of them off the SW limb probably from the region that just rotated over the limb, AR2992

https://twitter.com/x/status/1516967933146284033

▪︎Solar Cycle 25 vs Solar Cycle 24

The total number of SC25 CMEs are outpacing those of SC24 at the same stage of the cycle by ~30%. For the first 18 months of both cycles the numbers were indistinguishable but since then SC25 has been pulling away significantly. If reflected in solar maximum the peak would be 150

https://twitter.com/x/status/1516771327448858632

▪︎complex AR2993-94 like a Solar City

https://twitter.com/x/status/1516840199136886784

 

[Puma]

SOLAR ECLIPSE ON MARS: NASA is reporting new footage of a solar eclipse on Mars. On April 2nd, Phobos passed in front of the sun over Jezero Crater, where the Perseverance rover is studying signs of ancient flooding. The rover's Mastcam-Z camera tilted up and recorded this video:

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

A: Soon astronomical phenomena.

Right now, Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn are lined up in the morning sky, tracing the ecliptic plane--a.k.a. "the backbone of the Solar System." It's a striking display that will get even better as April comes to an end. Venus and Jupiter are converging for the finest conjunction of 2022. On April 30th and May 1st, naked-eye observers may think Venus and Jupiter merged into a single bright point of light as they pass in the colorful dawn sky.

Spaceweather.com Time Machine

Mercury, also join the alignment

Mercury is going to join the quartet somewhere around June 24 to take the count of planets visible in the night sky to five: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. The last time such an event happened was in January 2016.

The Moon will also join the line-up on April 23

Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn to align in cosmic treat for skygazers

 

[Wandering Star]

complex AR2993-94 like a Solar City

I have been feeling nervous for a couple of days, as if something was going to happen.

This sunspot complex is huge and about to set directly in front of the earth.

 

[Puma]

SOLAR CYCLE 25 ACTIVITY REPORT APR 22

▪︎Latest Solar wind speed record: 428 km/sec
▪︎density: 5.67 protons/cm3
▪︎Sunspot number: 119 (SN 80 apr 20)
▪︎ Neutron Counts today: +7.3% High
▪︎Geomagnetic conditions now Kp2 quiet
▪︎Moderate M1.1 solar flare from AR2993. There is not CME associated
▪︎Minor R1 radio blackout over Continental Asia (0542 UTC Apr 22)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517371425115578368

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517375982155489280

▪︎Moderate M3.4 solar flare from AR2993. There is not CME associated
▪︎Minor R1 radio blackout over North Atlantic Ocean just detected (1330 UTC)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517496016936787972

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517499775549063169

NO CMEs ARE HEADING FOR EARTH: So far this week, the sun has produced dozens of solar flares. Zero debris is heading our way. Remarkably, all of the explosions have been off target. Active sunspot complex AR2993-94 is still turning toward Earth, however, so the odds of a future hit are increasing

NAKED-EYE SUNSPOTS: Yesterday in Poland, a flock of cranes flew across the setting sun. Among them were sunspots. "Active sunspot complex AR2993-94 is so big that it was easily visible to the naked eye," says Marek Nikodem, who photographed the flyby:

The primary dark cores of AR2993-94 are twice as wide as Earth

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

 

[Puma]

SOLAR CYCLE 25 ACTIVITY REPORT APR 22

▪︎Latest Solar wind speed record: 489.4 km/sec
▪︎density: 6.86 protons/cm3
▪︎Sunspot number: 101 (SN 119 apr 22)
▪︎ Neutron Counts today: +5.8% High
▪︎Geomagnetic conditions active: Kp4 unsettled. Threshold reached 12:00 UTC Apr 23
▪︎Moderate M3.4 solar flare from AR2993 (1330 UTC Apr 22)
▪︎Multiple large regions in the north hemisphere. Large spot coming over the SE limb

ANGRY SUNSPOT FACES EARTH: Sunspot complex AR2993-94 is crackling with M-class solar flares and, this weekend, it is directly facing Earth. Philippe Tosi phorographed the active region from Nîmes, France. "I inserted an image of Earth for scale," notes Tosai. "It is a big sunspot."​

Indeed, it is. There are two dark cores as large as Earth, and several more as wide as Earth's Moon. A magnetic filament attached to one of the cores is more than 100,000 km long.

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

Big sunspot regions AR12993-12995 are in Earth strike zone, but they have so far failed to nurture decent CMEs. Since the M9.6 flare, flares in these regions have not been associated with a CME. See the movie of difference images and locate large-scale eruptions.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517781637374783488

All of the talk the past week has been about big sunspot regions 2993 and 2994. Well, they are huge, especially when you compare them to the size of our planet Earth. They have also been very active having produced numerous M-Flares and one major X-Flare up until this point. Now compare them to massive sunspot complex 2192 from back in 2014, suddenly they appear a little more tame. AR 2192 produced many strong solar events including six (6) X-Class solar flares. How long until we see another behemoth? We will find out over the upcoming months and years as we head towards the next solar maximum.

SolarHam.com

Space Weather by SolarHam

www.solarham.net

 

[Puma]

I have been feeling nervous for a couple of days, as if something was going to happen.

This sunspot complex is huge and about to set directly in front of the earth.

This SpaceWeather tweet was a joke but it looks like the sun did shut down for the weekend

We will be shutting the Sun off tomorrow to perform routine maintenance work. We expect to be back up tomorrow at 4:00pm Eastern (the weekend). Until then, there will be no large flares. Hopefully. We pushed a bunch of buttons to give it a try, anyway. The Sun is very big.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517339468650455040

UNDERACHIEVERS.

I hope somebody will investigate how these regions have failed to launch spectacular #solarstorms, contrary to earlier wishful predictions based on big spots.

Forget AR 12995/6, but AR 12993 and 12994 do not show increased complexity in this 68 hour movie.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518001424973459456

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517942019494088709

Current conditions:
▪︎Solar wind speed: 506.0 km/sec
▪︎density: 7.42 protons/cm3
▪︎Neutron Counts today: +5.4% High
▪︎Planetary K-index Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 4 unsettled
happy weekend

 

[Wandering Star]

This SpaceWeather tweet was a joke but it looks like the sun did shut down for the weekend

That's great.

I believe that the best way for a negative "prophecy/possibility/timeline" to go unfulfilled is to bring it to light.

 

[Puma]

SOLAR CYCLE 25 ACTIVITY REPORT APR 24

▪︎Latest Solar wind speed record: 446.7 km/sec
▪︎density: 2.76 protons/cm3
▪︎Sunspot number: 118 (SN 101 apr 23)
▪︎ Neutron Counts today: +5.2% High
▪︎Active geomagnetic conditions Kp4 unsettled. Threshold Reached: 23:59 UTC Apr 23
▪︎Geomagnetic conditions now Kp1 quiet.
▪︎ Two new numbered regions AR2997 and AR2998. A huge complex emerging in the south

It seems we are in for a set of large regions coming over the eastern limb of the Sun soon, according to the STEREO A spacecraft observations. A modest region in the north, perhaps the return of AR2983. In the south it looks like a huge complex, but will it have spots and flares?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518201625948655617

CHANCE OF FLARES: The sun has quieted this weekend with some minor decay in sunspot complex AR2993-94. Nevertheless, there is still a chance of flares: a 40% chance of M-flares and a 10% chance of X-flares on April 24th, according to NOAA. Any eruptions will be Earth directed

PLANETS ALIGNMENT Jeff Dai photographed the pre-dawn scene from the Yunnan province of China:

The view is about to improve. Venus and Jupiter are converging for a tight conjunction on April 30th and May 1st. They'll be so close together, some onlookers may think the planets have merged. On April 26th and 27th, the crescent Moon will glide by the converging pair.

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

 

[Puma]

Two new numbered regions AR2997 and AR2998. A huge complex emerging in the south

Solar activity during the past 24 hours was at low levels with only minor C-Flares detected. AR 2993 and 2994 continue to rotate across the visible disk and will each remain a threat for an isolated moderate M-Flare. All other spotted regions are currently stable.

A prominence located off the southeast limb erupted beginning at 07:00 UTC (Apr 24). A coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced but is not directed towards Earth.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518304853155631106

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518304877126033409

Current conditions:
▪︎Solar wind speed: 481.1 km/sec
▪︎density: 6.51 protons/cm3
▪︎Neutron Counts today: +5.2% High
▪︎Planetary K-index Now: Kp= 1 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 2 quiet

 

[Puma]

SOLAR CYCLE 25 ACTIVITY REPORT APR 25

▪︎Latest Solar wind speed record: 434.7 km/sec
▪︎density: 0.95 protons/cm3
▪︎Sunspot number: 112 (SN 118 apr 24)
▪︎ Neutron Counts today: 5.6% High
▪︎Geomagnetic conditions now Kp2 quiet.
▪︎Prominence eruption located off the southeast limb (07:00 UTC Apr.24)
▪︎Moderate solar flare M1.27 from AR2993
Minor R1 Radio blackout (01:15 UTC Apr.25) over southeast Asia and Australia
▪︎Moderate solar flare M1.20 from AR2993
Minor R1 Radio blackout (04:05 UTC Apr.25)
over southeast Asia and Australia
▪︎Possible geoeffective CMEs

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518441193482432518

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518444967517110272

DOUBLE SOLAR FLARE: Sunspot AR2993 erupted twice in quick succession on April 25th, producing an overlapping pair of M1-class solar flares: movie. The double-blast caused a minor albeit long-lasting radio blackout over southeast Asia and Australia, affecting frequencies below 20 MHz. Stay tuned for updates about a possible CME.

▪︎Solar wind flowing from the indicated coronal hole should reach Earth on April 29-30

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

 

[Puma]

Prominence eruption in the south limb with a small CME (17:35 UTC)

A prominence eruption was observed off the southeast limb within the past few hours. A coronal mass ejection (CME) will be likely, but should be directed away from Earth

https://www.facebook.com/139562326142070/posts/4921588651272723

https://twitter.com/x/status/1518697081984200704

For whomever may be paying attention, an alpha magnetic sunspot located in the southeast quadrant was assigned AR 2998 after turning into view on April 23rd. For whatever reason, this same region is now assigned AR 2999 today. As you can see in the previous synoptic map by NOAA/SWPC, it was indeed assigned AR 2998 as it very well should have been. Not quite sure what happened here. Either way, this region is currently stable and non threatening. If this stands, the next spotted region will be assigned AR 3000.

SolarHam.com

https://www.facebook.com/139562326142070/posts/4921983704566551

Current conditions

▪︎Solar wind speed: 392.9 km/sec
▪︎density: 1.30 protons/cm3
▪︎Planetary K-index Now: Kp= 0 quiet (05:39 UTC apr 26)

 

[Puma]

SOLAR CYCLE 25 ACTIVITY REPORT APR 26

▪︎The sun goes quiet as Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Saturn align.
▪︎Latest Solar wind speed record: 395.4 km/sec
▪︎density: 1.81 protons/cm3
▪︎Sunspot number: 94 (SN 112 apr 25)
▪︎ Neutron Counts today: 6.4% High
▪︎Geomagnetic conditions now Kp1 quiet.
▪︎Prominence eruption located off the south limb (17:35 UTC Apr.25)
▪︎New Active Region 2999 in the southeast and a potentially active sunspot is emerging at the circled location, (AR3000 although that number has not yet been assigned)

▪︎Underachiever complex AR2993-94 no longer facing Earth

CHANCE OF FLARES TODAY: The sun has quieted following some minor decay in sunspot complex AR2993-94. Nevertheless, there is still a chance of flares: a 40% chance of M-flares and a 10% chance of X-flares on April 26th, according to NOAA

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

 

[Puma]

Prominence eruption in progress

https://twitter.com/x/status/1519137297039609860

A minor (G1) geomagnetic storm watch was officially added beginning April 29th. A coronal hole solar wind stream is expected to reach Earth and could be responsible for displays of aurora at higher latitudes. High latitude sky watchers should be alert within the next 48-72 hours.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1519116456021082120

Current conditions

▪︎Solar wind speed: 397.6 km/sec
▪︎density: 0.73 protons/cm3
▪︎Planetary K-index Now: Kp= 1 quiet
▪︎24-hr max: Kp= 1 quiet

 

[Puma]

SOLAR CYCLE 25 ACTIVITY REPORT APR 27

▪︎Latest Solar wind speed record: 476.6 km/sec
▪︎density: 21.72 protons/cm3
▪︎Neutron Counts today: 7% High
▪︎Sunspot number: 126 (SN 94 apr 26)
▪︎Geomagnetic conditions now Kp1 quiet.
▪︎Prominence eruption located off the northeast limb. It was like a massive Twister
▪︎Three new Active Regions in the southeast AR2999, AR3000, AR3001
▪︎Jupiter-Venus conjunction, crescent Moon joins the show.

VENUS-JUPITER CONJUNCTION: in the early morning sky. Paolo Bardelli photographed the planets from Sumirago (Varese), Italy. At closest approach on April 30th, Venus and Jupiter will be just a fraction of a degree apart. They will "appear to nearly collide into each other," according to NASA.

MASSIVE TWISTER ON THE SUN: Imagine a red-hot tornado of fire 10 times taller than our entire planet. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory caught the massive twister flinging itself away from the sun during the early (UTC) hours of April 27th. The eruption produced a bright coronal mass ejection (CME), but the debris is expected to miss Earth.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1519156862599454720

CME WATCH 2022.04.26: a whole bunch of CMEs off the SE (lower left) limb, one of which was quite spectacular with twisted loops! So, the regions coming over the east limb look active.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1519129792519540743

 

[Puma]

Geomagnetic storm ahead... it was expected for April 29 not today. A Minor Geomagnetic Storm Watch has been issued due to anticipated coronal hole high speed stream effects.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH (G1-CLASS): There is a chance of minor G1-class geomagnetic storms on April 29th when a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. CIRs are transition zones between between fast- and slow-moving solar wind streams. They contain shock waves and intense magnetic fields that can do a good job sparking auroras

SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids

Active geomagnetic conditions (Kp4)
Threshold Reached: 13:50 UTC

https://twitter.com/x/status/1519315503457746945

Minor G1 geomagnetic storm (Kp5)
Threshold Reached: 14:02 UTC

https://twitter.com/x/status/1519319258848714755