~SPACE WEATHER UPDATE~
GROWING THREAT OF FLARES: Sunspot AR1363 is growing rapidly, more than doubling in size since Friday. A 48-hour movie from NASA's SOlar Dynamic Observatory shows the expansion:
The active region has a "beta-gamma" magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class solar flares. Because of AR1363's location near the center of the solar disk, any such eruptions in the days ahead would be Earth-directed. Solar flare alerts: text, phone.
more images: from Göran Strand of Frösön, Sweden; from John Stetson of Falmouth, Maine
AURORA EXPLOSION: Last night on the border between Russia and Norway, the sky suddenly erupted in color. "It was like an aurora explosion," says
Sebastian Voltmer of Kirkenes, Norway. "I was surprised to see a brightening snake forming an 'S' - like the first letter of my name, that appeared at 22.48 pm UT."
During the outburst, Jupiter was surrounded by streamers of green light. "A very beautiful event!" says Voltmer.
Auroras like these have been flickering and surging around the Arctic Circle for days. The source of the displays is a solar wind stream, which has been buffeting Earth's magnetic field since the month began. NOAA forecasters estimate a 13% chance of more polar geomagnetic activity tonight. Aurora alerts: text, phone.
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Solar wind
speed: 391.7 km/sec
density: 3.4 protons/cm3
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 0205 UT
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X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: C1 1950 UT Dec04
24-hr: C4 1615 UT Dec04
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 2359 UT
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Daily Sun: 04 Dec 11
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Sunspot 1363 is growing rapidly and poses a threat for M-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI
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Sunspot number: 138
What is the sunspot number?
Updated 03 Dec 2011
Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 0 days
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 03 Dec 2011
The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 160 sfu
explanation | more data
Updated 03 Dec 2011
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Current Auroral Oval:
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Switch to: Europe, USA, New Zealand, Antarctica
Credit: NOAA/POES
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Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 0 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 2 quiet
explanation | more data
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Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 3.7 nT
Bz: 0.6 nT south
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 0205 UT
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Coronal Holes: 04 Dec 11
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Earth is inside a solar wind stream flowing from the indicated coronal hole. Credit: SDO/AIA.
