SOLAR WIND STORM: Solar wind is blowing around Earth faster than 600 km/s (1.3 million mph) as our planet moves through the wake of a CME that struck on May 24th. This is causing geomagnetic unrest around the poles. Aurora sightings have been few, however, because of the competing glare of the full Moon. Aurora alerts: text, voice.
SUNSET PLANET SHOW: When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and look west. Venus, Jupiter and Mercury have converged to form a bright triangle in the sunset sky. Richard Sears sends this picture from Atwater, California:
"I took the picture on May 25th," says Sears. "What a way to end the day!"
Tonight will be even better. On Sunday, May 26th, the planets fit within a tightening circle less than 3o wide. There won't be another triple conjunction like this until October 2015, so don't miss it! NASA: video, full story.
Solar wind
speed: 642.7 km/sec
density: 1.4 protons/cm3
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1506 UT
X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C3 0958 UT May26
24-hr: C3 0958 UT May26
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1500 UT
Daily Sun: 26 May 13
Sunspot AR1756 has a 'beta-gamma' magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI
Sunspot number: 107
What is the sunspot number?
Updated 26 May 2013
Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 0 days
2013 total: 0 days (0%)
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
Update 26 May 2013
The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 121 sfu
explanation | more data
Updated 26 May 2013
Current Auroral Oval:
Switch to: Europe, USA, New Zealand, Antarctica
Credit: NOAA/POES
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 5 storm
explanation | more data
Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 4.7 nT
Bz: 3.1 nT south
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1507 UT
Coronal Holes: 26 May 13
Solar wind flowing from this coronal hole could brush past Earth's magnetic field on May 27-28. Credit: SDO/AIA.
