Viewing archive of Friday, 18 May 2012

Solar activity report

Any mentioned solar flare in this report has a scaling factor applied by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Because of the SWPC scaling factor, solar flares are reported as 42% smaller than for the science quality data. The scaling factor has been removed from our archived solar flare data to reflect the true physical units.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 2012 May 18 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 139 Issued at 2200Z on 18 May 2012

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 17-2100Z to 18-2100Z

Solar activity was at low levels. The largest flare was a C3 at 18/0823Z from old Region 1476 (N10, L=180), which rotated off the disk. A filament eruption was observed in SDO/AIA 304 imagery beginning at 18/0510Z near Region 1482 (N15W17). An associated CME was observed in STEREO A COR 2 imagery beginning at 18/0709Z with an estimated plane-of-sky speed of approximately 482 km/s. The majority of the ejecta appeared to be slightly north of the ecliptic plane, however a glancing blow is likely.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be at low levels with a slight chance for an M-class flare all three days (19 - 21 May).
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 17-2100Z to 18-2100Z
The geomagnetic field was at quiet to unsettled levels. The greater than 100 MeV proton event at geosynchronous orbit that began at 17/0200Z, reached a maximum of 20.4 pfu at 17/0230Z and ended at 17/1725Z. The greater than 10 MeV proton event is currently hovering close to the 10 pfu threshold (S1).
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels with isolated active periods on day 1 (19 May) due to a possible shock arrival from the 17 May CME. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected on day 2 (20 May). Mostly quiet conditions are expected on day 3 (21 May). There is a slight chance for shock enhancement of the greater than 10 MeV protons above 10 pfu on day 1.
III. Event Probabilities 19 May to 21 May
Class M10%10%10%
Class X01%01%01%
Proton20%05%01%
PCAFgreen
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       18 May 132
  Predicted   19 May-21 May  135/135/130
  90 Day Mean        18 May 115
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 17 May  005/004
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 18 May  008/008
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 19 May-21 May  009/010-008/008-006/005
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 19 May to 21 May
A. Middle Latitudes
Active25%10%05%
Minor storm15%05%01%
Major-severe storm05%01%01%
B. High Latitudes
Active30%15%10%
Minor storm20%10%05%
Major-severe storm05%01%01%

All times in UTC

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