Moderate solar flare reaching M3.3 erupted from Region 1718

A moderate solar flare reaching M3.35 erupted on April 12, 2013. The event started at 19:52, peaked at 20:38 and ended at 20:46 UTC. The source of this event is Region 1718 classified with Beta-Gamma magnetic field.

The geomagnetic field has been at quiet levels for the past 24 hours which will change tomorrow when CME from yesterday’s eruption is expected to reach Earth.

Sunspots

There are currently 6 numbered sunspot regions on the disk. Source of yesterday’s M6.5 solar flare, Region 1719, is today the only region with Beta-Gamma-Delta magnetic field. Erupting Region 1718 has Beta-Gamma magnetic field same as Region 1721. Region 1722 has Beta magnetic field and Regions 1714 and 1711 Alpha.

NOAA SWPC forecasters estimate 50% chance for an M-class event (April 13 – 15), and 15% chance for X-class event in the same period.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to major storm levels on April 13, unsettled to major storm levels on April 14 and at quiet levels on April 15. Protons have a chance of crossing threshold on April 13 and have a slight chance of crossing threshold on April 14 and 15.

Featured image: SDO AIA 304 – April 12, 2013 at 20:37 UTC