Impulsive M2.9 solar flare erupted from eastern limb

Moderate M2.9 solar flare erupted at 20:56 UTC on June 23, 2013. The event started at 20:48 UTC and ended at 20:59 UTC. The flare originated from Active Region 1778 that just emerged at eastern limb.

M2.9 solar flare recorded by SDO's EVE and GOES X-Ray 1 minute flux (Credit: SDO/NOAA/SWPC)

Combined imagery shows data from SDO's AIA 304, GOES X-Ray flux, STEREO imagery and NOAA satellite environment plot (Credit: SDO/NOAA/SWPC/STEREO; Graphics: TheWatchers)

There are currently 8 numbered active regions on the visible solar disk. Sunspots 1772, 1775 and 1776, located at the western limb, developed beta-gamma magnetic configuration and are capable of producing strong solar flares. NOAA/SWPC forecasters estimate 40% chance of M-class and 5% chance of X-class solar flares in the next 24 hours.

Earth is currently inside a solar wind stream flowing in from the massive coronal hole on the Sun's northern hemisphere. Solar winds are still at slightly elevated levels, above 600 km/s. Minor geomagnetic storming at high latitudes will be possible over the next 12-24 hours. NOAA/SWPC forecasters estimate 40% chance of strong geomagnetic disturbances.

Read more about current geomagnetic conditions here.

Stay tuned at Space Weather Station!

Featured image: Solar flare captured by SDO's AIA 304 instruments at 21:13 UTC on June 23, 3023 (Courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams)