C-class solar flare, Earth-directed CME

Monday, 12 February 2018 14:37 UTC

Following the eruption, coronal dimming was observed which is a classic sign that some ejecta might have been released into space. Considering the location of sunspot region 2699 any ejecta would've likely have an earth-directed component. That brings us to our next tool: the SOHO/LASCO coronagraph imagery.

Well, the animation below says it all. The C1.5 solar flare launched an asymmetrical full halo CME which is likely to impact Earth in a few days from now. Most of the ejecta seems to have a trajectory slightly west of our planet but the full halo outline is clear and an impact at our planet is to be expected.

The coronal mass ejection isn't very bright nor is it fast but its a pleasant surprise so close to solar minimum. Note that the word solar minimum is a link. It links to an article from the SIDC about the current solar cycle, do read it as its very interesting! We might be closer to solar minimum than we thought!

But back on topic, we clock the speed of this coronal mass ejection at a fairly slow 500km/s. This gives us a transit time of about 3,5 days calculated with the Drag-Based model. We expect an impact time around 18:00 UTC (+/- 6 hours) on Thursday, 15 February. A minor G1 geomagnetic storm could develop after the coronal mass ejection arrives providing the north-south direction of the IMF (Bz) becomes favourable.

⇧ Animation: SOHO LASCO C2 and C3 difference footage showing the C1.5 coronal mass ejection as it is ejected into space towards our planet.