CME IMPACT: A coronal mass ejection (CME) hit Earth's magnetic field on March 7th at approximately 0400 UT. The impact was not a strong one, but it could stir up polar geomagnetic storms anyway. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. Aurora alerts: text, phone.
MAJOR SOLAR FLARE: Big sunspot AR1429 has unleashed another major flare. This one is the strongest yet, an X5-class eruption on March 7th at 00:28 UT. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the extreme UV flash:
This eruption hurled a bright CME into space. First-look data from STEREO-B are not sufficient to determine if the cloud is heading for Earth. Our best guess is "probably, yes, but not directly toward Earth." A glancing blow to our planet's magnetosphere is possible on March 8th or 9th. Stay tuned for updates. Solar flare alerts: text, phone.
Pics all courtesy of Spaceweather.com
Solar wind
speed: 422.4 km/sec
density: 14.3 protons/cm3
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 0457 UT
X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: X5 0028 UT Mar07
24-hr: X5 0028 UT Mar07
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 2359 UT
Daily Sun: 06 Mar 12
Big sunspot 1429 poses a continued threat for X-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI
