Moderate solar flare reaching M1.4 erupted from Region 1739
A moderate solar flare reaching M1.4 erupted on May 5, 2013 peaking at 17:56 UTC. The source of the event was Region 1739 located near the eastern limb and classified with Beta-Gamma magnetic field. This is currently most active region on the disk responsible for numerous C-class events today.
NOAA SWPC forecasters estimate 45% chance for M-class event and 5% chance for X-class event today and in the next 2 days.
Sunspots
At the time of latest USAF/NOAA Solar Geophysical Activity Report and Forecast issued at 22:00 UTC, on May 4, there were 9 numbered regions on the disk. Regions 1731, 1734 and 1739 are classified with Beta-Gamma magnetic field and are capable of more moderate to strong eruptions. Region 1734 is directly facing Earth today and can be the source of new eruptions. Any eruption from that region would be Earth directed.
Region 1739, responsible for todays M1.4 solar flare, is located on the eastern limb and will rotate into more geoeffective position in the coming days. Region 1731 is located on the western limb, it is loosing its strength and is about to become far-side region, harmless to Earth. Other regions on solar disk are, at this time, classified as Alpha and Beta.
Featured image courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams.
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