Three M-class solar flares – M2.1, M7.2 and M5.3 erupt from AR 3089
Image credit: NASA/SDO AIA 304, The Watchers
Active Region 3089 (Beta) produced three M-class solar flares on August 26, 2022 – M2.1 at 10:55 UTC, M7.2 at 12:14 UTC, and M5.3 at 12:31 UTC.
The region is still not in a geoeffective position and none of the flares produced today were associated with radio signatures that would suggest a significant coronal mass ejection (CME).
However, this might change in the days ahead as the region rotates toward the center of the disk.
There were 6 numbered sunspot regions on the Earth side of the Sun on August 26:
Solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for M-class flares and a slight chance for an X-class flare through August 29.1
The geomagnetic field has been at quiet levels in 24 hours to 22:00 UTC on August 26.
Solar wind speed peaked at 381 km/s at 12:00 UTC while the total IMF reached 7 nT at 19:57. The maximum southward component of Bz reached -4 nT at 04:29 UTC. Electrons greater than 2 MeV at geosynchronous orbit reached a peak level of 3 604 pfu.
The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels on August 27 and 28 and quiet to active levels on August 29.
Protons have a slight chance of crossing the threshold through August 29.
References:
1 Joint USAF/NOAA Solar Geophysical Activity Report and Forecast – SDF Number 238 – Issued at 2200Z on 26 Aug 2022
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.