SOLAR PROMINENCE: Today, a network of plasma-filled magnetic filaments is rising over the sun's northwestern limb. Some of the arcs in this Solar Dynamics Observatory image taken during the early hours off Jan. 18th are nearly 500,000 km long:
The vast structure is an easy target for backyard solar telescopes. If you have one, take a look. Any instability in the magnetic thicket of this prominence could produce a spectacular eruption framed by the black of space over the sun's horizon.
Solar wind
speed: 389.1 km/sec
density: 4.5 protons/cm3
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1315 UT
X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C2 1030 UT Jan18
24-hr: C2 1030 UT Jan18
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1300 UT
Daily Sun: 18 Jan 12
Sunspots 1401 and 1402 pose a threat for M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI
Sunspot number: 152
What is the sunspot number?
Updated 16 Jan 2012
Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 0 days
2012 total: 0 days (0%)
2011 total: 2 days (<1%)
2010 total: 51 days (14%)
2009 total: 260 days (71%)
Since 2004: 821 days
Typical Solar Min: 486 days
Updated 16 Jan 2012
The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 140 sfu
explanation | more data
Updated 16 Jan 2012
Current Auroral Oval:
Switch to: Europe, USA, New Zealand, Antarctica
Credit: NOAA/POES
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 1 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 2 quiet
explanation | more data
Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 5.2 nT
Bz: 0.9 nT south
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1316 UT
Coronal Holes: 17 Jan 12
There are no large coronal holes on the Earthside of the sun. Credit: SDO/AIA.
