Impulsive M1.3 solar flare erupts near the west limb

Solar activity was at moderate levels on July 3, 2017, with 14 B-class and one impulsive M1.3 solar flare observed at 16:15 UTC. The M-class event started at 15:37 and ended at 16:18 UTC. The last time our star unleashed an M-class solar flare was on April 3, 2017.

The July 3 M-class flare was associated with an emerging sunspot group to the south of former Region 2664 near the west limb. The region has, however, already vanished and we expect no further activity from it.

A coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced and is visible in ESA/NASA SOHO LASCO C2 coronagraph imagery, starting at approximately 16:48 UTC. 

Image credit: ESA/NASA SOHO LASCO C2

According to the SWPC, the CME appeared to have a nearly due west trajectory and is not expected to have any impact at Earth.

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels over the next three days (July 4 – 6) as the area producing recent flare activity rotates beyond the west limb.

Solar wind parameters continue to recover to near nominal levels in the wake of June 28 CME that primarily affected Earth on July 2. Weak enhancements are expected over the next three days due to the potential for lingering effects post-CME, and the chance Earth may interface with a negative polarity CH HSS, originating from an ill-defined CH in the southern hemisphere, SWPC forecasters said 00:30 UTC today.

There are currently no numbered sunspot regions on the Earth side of the Sun.

Featured image: July 3, 2017 M1.3 solar flare. Image acquired 16:12 UTC. Credit: NASA/SDO AIA 304