• Long-duration X2.2 solar flare erupts from Region 3229, full halo CME produced

    A long-duration solar flare measuring X2.2 at its peak erupted from AR 3229 (beta) at 20:16 UTC on February 17, 2023. The event started at 19:38 and ended at 20:50 UTC. A full halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was produced and it appears there is an Earth-directed component. The estimated time of arrival is February 20.

  • Earth hit by slow-moving CME, triggers G1-Minor geomagnetic storm; second CME on the way

    A slow-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on February 11, 2023, reached our planet today, causing G1 – Minor geomagnetic storming. A partial halo CME, possibly triggered by a filament eruption near Region 3220 on February 14 is forecast to impact Earth this week, which could result in disruptions to communication networks, power grids, and satellites. The timing and extent of the impact are still being analyzed.

  • Solar polar vortex and the X-factor returns

    Our Sun went viral this week with a stunning polar vortex that revealed some of its mysterious dynamics in the one final region still uncharted by solar telescopes, that is until Solar Orbiter begins to climb to higher latitudes later in its mission.