Strong solar flare reaching M7.9 peaked on March 13 2012
Sunspot 1429 unleashed another M-class solar flare around 17:41 UTC. A strong flare reaching M7.9 produced an R2 Radio Blackout on the sunlit side of the Earth. Type II Radio Emission with a velocity of 1366 km/s was detected. Type II emissions occur in association with eruptions on the sun and typically indicate that coronal mass ejection is associated with a flare event. High energy proton levels are beginning to rise.
AR1429 is now located towards the northwest limb so the chances for Earth directed CME are smaller than last week.
Incoming CME impact generated a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm with planetary K index reaching level 7 early Monday morning and bright Aurora was visible over parts of North America before sunrise.
Area of impact centered on sub-solar point on the sunlit side of Earth. Extent of blackout of HF (high frequency) radio communication dependent upon current X-ray Flux intensity.
Global-D region absorption (March 13, 2012 at 18:04 UTC)
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Solar wind
speed: 534.8 km/sec
density: 0.0 protons/cm3
X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: M7 1741 UT Mar13
24-hr: M7 1741 UT Mar13
The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 115 sfu
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet
Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 4.8 nT
Bz: 0.9 nT south
| Range 1 (minor) to 5 (extreme) | ||
| NOAA Scale | Past 24 hrs | Current |
| Geomagnetic Storms |  |
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| Solar Radiation Storms |  |
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| Radio Blackouts |  |
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Follow Sun’s activity in real-time on our Space Weather Station.
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