Sun information for December 20, 2023: Huge sunspot group rising quick
Today’s high information: Sunspot area AR3529 has caught our eye. It emerged shortly over the previous couple of days, rising in measurement and complexity. And it almost doubled in measurement over the previous 24 hours, with its floor space now equal to that of three Earths! It’s additionally developed a reasonably excessive gamma magnetic complexity (the extra magnetically advanced an energetic area is, the higher its probability of manufacturing highly effective flares). The video above exhibits the sunspot group in seen mild and excessive ultraviolet mild, which helps to point out its development in measurement and exercise. It additionally helps for instance the definition of an energetic area; it’s not a sunspot, however a group of interacting sunspots, and it consists of the loop construction that extends from the decrease environment (the photo voltaic photosphere, or seen floor) to the solar’s higher environment (its mysterious corona).
Last 24 hours: Sun exercise stays low. The solar produced a complete of 17 C flares between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC right this moment, the biggest being a C8.3 blasted by AR3521 at 8:54 UTC this morning. With 4 different flares above a C7 degree, solar exercise isn’t removed from reasonable. The lead flare producer of the interval was AR3521 with six C flares. The solar at present has 9 labeled energetic areas on its Earth-viewed aspect. There is a newcomer on the northeast limb (edge) labeled AR3530.
Next 24 hours forecast: The forecast is a 95% probability for C flares, a 25% probability for M flares, and a 5% probability for X flares.
Next anticipated CME: No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have been noticed within the available imagery.
Current geomagnetic exercise: Earth’s geomagnetic discipline is quiet on the time of this writing (11 UTC on December 20). Active circumstances (Kp=4) have been reached earlier right this moment. For the remainder of the day by tomorrow, quiet-to-unsettled ranges are anticipated. Any geomagnetic disturbance will probably be as a result of quick photo voltaic wind from a coronal gap mixed with waning results of the CME hurled by the solar on December 15.
Sun information for December 19, 2023: More lovely auroras as storming involves an finish
EarthSky solar information creator C. Alex Young additionally produces @thesuntoday.
After one other night time of mesmerising auroral shows throughout a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm, motion at Earth has lastly calmed. This incredible present got here after a interval of loopy exercise on the solar. As the consequences of a number of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and quick photo voltaic wind fade, extra motion appears to be on the best way; let’s see what our star subsequent has in retailer for us.
Last 24 hours: Sun exercise is again to low, however motion appears to be selecting up. With prominences adorning the limbs (edges) of our star, contemporary sunspot teams appear to be simply out of view. In truth, incoming sunspots have been noticed with helioseismology over the horizon on the jap limb, quickly to rotate into view. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC right this moment, 12 C flares have been fired. The largest was a C7.4 flare, fired at 3:04 UTC on December 19 by sunspot group AR3528. This energetic area was the lead flare producer of the interval with 5 Cs. AR3520 was shut behind with 4 C flares. The solar at present has 9 labeled energetic areas on its Earth-facing aspect, together with three newcomers: AR3527 within the west, AR3528 near the central meridian within the northeast, and AR3529 within the southeast.
Sun information for December 18, 2023: Night #2 for excellent auroras!
Sun information for December 18, 2023. More auroras! Join EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd within the video above, for extra.
It’s been two fabulous night time of auroras! At the time of this writing (11 UTC on Monday, December 18), Earth is experiencing but extra geomagnetic storming, as a result of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and excessive pace photo voltaic wind from a coronal gap. The storming is at G2 (reasonable) ranges at the moment. Aurora studies have been arguably fewer Sunday night time (December 17-18) than Saturday night time (December 16-17). But each nights have been grand! And we would see auroral exercise later right this moment. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun exercise as a result of flares is reasonable with one M1.1 flares and 12 C flares noticed. The largest occasion was an M1.1 flare from sunspot area AR3520 at 20:08 UTC December 17. AR3520 produced 5 flares together with the M1.1. There is important exercise past the west limb (edge), more than likely as a result of AR3514 performing up. Several eruptions are seen from this space in 304-angstrom mild from SDO and GOES-16. The Earth-facing aspect of the solar at present has six energetic areas.
This is insane tonight
Aurora pulsating overhead ??? pic.twitter.com/iv9i7Ou0rh— ?Angel Brise’ Alaska Adventurer? (@AngelBrise1) December 18, 2023
Another profitable #aurorahunting tour final night time right here in #Yellowknife! Level 4.5 -23C windchill -31C! More Aurora desires 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 sufficient power in its wake that pushed a comparatively transient, however extremely seen ?#Aurora substorm into mid-lat, on the horizon- Even as far south as Hartford in S Wisconsin and additional! ? Of course the automotive headlight too! ? pic.twitter.com/3kIH8zsV1X
— Jake Stehli (@eljakeo30) December 18, 2023
Sun information for December 17, 2023: Auroras! And extra coming …
Good morning! Here’s a bit of inexperienced to begin your Sunday 🙂 pic.twitter.com/bVsb0wYcnU
— Vincent Ledvina (@Vincent_Ledvina) December 17, 2023
We’ve obtained auroras! One or extra of the anticipated coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from December 14 and 15 could have reached Earth. At the time of this writing (11 UTC on Sunday, December 17), we’re experiencing a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm and we’re beginning to see some aurora studies. The studies are largely from Canada and Alaska. Over the following day we’ll wait to see if there are any indicators of further CME impacts and ensuing geomagnetic storming and auroras. Stay tuned!
Last 24 hours: Sun exercise as a result of flares is low with 16 C-class flares noticed. The largest occasion was a back-to-back set of flares from sunspot area AR3514, a C8.4 and C8.1 at 13:19 and 14:12 UTC respectively. AR3514 produced a lot of the flares at 14 of 16. It has almost fully rotated out of view over the west limb. It has decayed, shedding its delta area, however this sunspot group nonetheless has the potential for some important flaring. The Earth-facing aspect of the solar at present has 9 energetic areas.
Another photograph from late this morning. 7:45am in Kodiak, Alaska pic.twitter.com/ucqKPOCyMD
— Kris Luckenbach (@KrisLuckPhoto) December 18, 2023
More superb #AuroraBorealis imagery from area in a single day throughout one more geomagnetic storm. This solar 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 happen to’re in Alaska or Siberia… Europe prepare for a possible mid-latitude aurora breakout, though we have to monitor exercise over the following a number of hours. Nice substorm in GOES Mag, AE is wholesome… pic.twitter.com/lPrBrtqrVR
— Vincent Ledvina (@Vincent_Ledvina) December 17, 2023
The solar in recent days
Sun pictures from our group
Are you a fan of solar information? We invite you all to ship us your lovely recent photographs of sunspots and auroras. Naturally, we love receiving your photographs! And to these of you who’ve already posted a photograph to our group web page, thanks.
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Bottom line: Sun information December 20, 2023. Sunspot group AR3529 is quickly rising, each in measurement and complexity. Take a glance in seen and ultraviolet mild.
