June 18, 2013 - SUN - The magnetic field of sunspot AR1775 is growing more complex, increasing the chance of an eruption. NOAA forecasters estimate a 20% chance of M-class solar flares on June 19th.
FARSIDE ACTIVE REGION: Meanwhile on the farside of the sun, an un-numbered active region is seething with activity, and appears capable of significant eruptions. NASA's STEREO-Behind spacecraft is stationed over the sun's east limb with a good view of the hot spot (circled):
During the early hours of June 18th, a long-duration flare from this active region hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) over the sun's eastern limb. However, none of the rocky planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) were in the line of fire.
In a few days, the sun's rotation will carry the active region around the eastern limb and onto the Earthside of the sun. Then we will have a direct view of the underlying sunspot group and be able to better assess its potential for future flares.
Monitor the farside: You can see an animation of today's flare and monitor the active region in the days ahead by downloading NASA's Interplanetary 3D Sun app. It works on high-end iPhones (4s and 5), iPad 2s, and mini-iPads.
SUNSPOTS: Solar activity is currently at low levels. Most of the low level C-Class activity detected has been centered around Sunspot 1775 and also an approaching region off the east limb. Sunspots 1772, 1773 and 1775 are the current areas of interest while we await the new regions appearance off the southeast limb. A small new sunspot appears to be forming in the northern hemisphere to the northwest of 1773. There will remain a chance for C-Class solar flares and perhaps an isolated M-Class event.
CORONAL HOLE: Solar wind flowing from this coronal hole could brush against Earth's magnetic field on June 23-24.
JUPITER ECLIPSE: Consider it a solar eclipse ... of Jupiter. On June 19th the sun will pass directly in front of Jupiter, completely eclipsing the giant planet. Coronagraphs onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory are monitoring the convergence:
The CME in the movie was blasted into space by a farside active region described in today's lead news item. Jupiter appears to be in the line of fire, but it is not. The cloud is merely passing in front of the planet; even the CMEs are eclipsing Jupiter today. Updated images of the "eclipse" may be found at the SOHO Realtime Images web page.
WATCH: SolarWatch / Earthquake Watch - June 18-19, 2013.
WATCH: Volcano / Earthquake Watch - June 21-25, 2013.
SOURCES: Space Weather | Solar Ham | Solar Watcher.
FARSIDE ACTIVE REGION: Meanwhile on the farside of the sun, an un-numbered active region is seething with activity, and appears capable of significant eruptions. NASA's STEREO-Behind spacecraft is stationed over the sun's east limb with a good view of the hot spot (circled):
During the early hours of June 18th, a long-duration flare from this active region hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) over the sun's eastern limb. However, none of the rocky planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) were in the line of fire.
In a few days, the sun's rotation will carry the active region around the eastern limb and onto the Earthside of the sun. Then we will have a direct view of the underlying sunspot group and be able to better assess its potential for future flares.
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The active region off the east limb generated
another Coronal Mass Ejection. Again because of the location, it is not Earth directed. Image by STEREO Ahead COR2. |
Monitor the farside: You can see an animation of today's flare and monitor the active region in the days ahead by downloading NASA's Interplanetary 3D Sun app. It works on high-end iPhones (4s and 5), iPad 2s, and mini-iPads.
SUNSPOTS: Solar activity is currently at low levels. Most of the low level C-Class activity detected has been centered around Sunspot 1775 and also an approaching region off the east limb. Sunspots 1772, 1773 and 1775 are the current areas of interest while we await the new regions appearance off the southeast limb. A small new sunspot appears to be forming in the northern hemisphere to the northwest of 1773. There will remain a chance for C-Class solar flares and perhaps an isolated M-Class event.
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Credit: SDO/HMI. |
CORONAL HOLE: Solar wind flowing from this coronal hole could brush against Earth's magnetic field on June 23-24.
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Credit: SDO/AIA. |
JUPITER ECLIPSE: Consider it a solar eclipse ... of Jupiter. On June 19th the sun will pass directly in front of Jupiter, completely eclipsing the giant planet. Coronagraphs onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory are monitoring the convergence:
The CME in the movie was blasted into space by a farside active region described in today's lead news item. Jupiter appears to be in the line of fire, but it is not. The cloud is merely passing in front of the planet; even the CMEs are eclipsing Jupiter today. Updated images of the "eclipse" may be found at the SOHO Realtime Images web page.
WATCH: SolarWatch / Earthquake Watch - June 18-19, 2013.
WATCH: Volcano / Earthquake Watch - June 21-25, 2013.
SOURCES: Space Weather | Solar Ham | Solar Watcher.