Viewing archive of Tuesday, 28 October 2003

Solar activity report

Any mentioned solar flare in this report has a scaling factor applied by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Because of the SWPC scaling factor, solar flares are reported as 42% smaller than for the science quality data. The scaling factor has been removed from our archived solar flare data to reflect the true physical units.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 2003 Oct 28 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 301 Issued at 2200Z on 28 Oct 2003

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 27-2100Z to 28-2100Z

Solar activity continues at high levels. Region 486 (S17E04) produced one of the largest flares of this solar cycle, an X17/4B proton flare peaking at 28/1110Z. This flare had intense radio bursts including a 245 MhZ burst near 500,000 sfu and a Tenflare of 13,000 pfu. A very fast (near 2000 km/s), earthward directed full halo CME was observed on SOHO/LASCO imagery. Region 486, a beta-gamma-delta group with over 2100 millionths of white light areal coverage, is now one of the largest and most complex active regions of solar cycle 23. Region 484 (N03W68) maintains considerable size and complexity as it approaches the west limb. It produced occasional C-class activity and a low M-class flare at 28/1613Z. Region 488 (N08W04) continues its rapid growth and now exceeds 800 millionths of coverage in a beta-gamma-delta configuration. Frequent C-class flare activity was observed in this region throughout the period. New region 493 (N09E05) was numbered today.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to continue at high levels. Region 486 in particular, has potential to produce further major flare activity. An isolated major flare is also possible from Regions 484 and 488.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 27-2100Z to 28-2100Z
The geomagnetic field was quiet to active. A CME was observed to pass the ACE spacecraft at around 0130Z. Solar wind speed rose to near 800 km/s, but Bz stayed northward, thwarting a significant geomagnetic response. The X17 flare that occurred at 28/1110Z produced proton events at greater than 10 and greater than 100 MeV which remain in progress at this time. The greater than 100 MeV event began at 28/1145Z with a maximum so far of 176 pfu. The greater than 10 MeV proton event began at 28/1215Z with a maximum so far of 6020 pfu. A polar cap absorption began at 28/1237Z and remains in progress.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to range from unsettled to potentially severe storming in the next 24 to 48 hours. Today's X17 flare produced a large and fast halo CME that will likely impact the Earth's magnetic field by midday on day one. Past events of this magnitude have almost always produced severe storming. The storm is expected to continue through at least the first half of day two. Unsettled to minor storm levels are expected on day three. The greater than 100 MeV proton event is expected to end by day two. The greater than 10 MeV proton event will likely persist through day three.
III. Event Probabilities 29 Oct to 31 Oct
Class M90%90%90%
Class X50%50%50%
Proton99%99%75%
PCAFin progress
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       28 Oct 274
  Predicted   29 Oct-31 Oct  270/260/250
  90 Day Mean        28 Oct 124
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 27 Oct  013/015
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 28 Oct  015/018
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 29 Oct-31 Oct  080/100-100/120-015/025
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 29 Oct to 31 Oct
A. Middle Latitudes
Active15%15%50%
Minor storm25%25%15%
Major-severe storm60%60%05%
B. High Latitudes
Active10%10%50%
Minor storm20%20%25%
Major-severe storm70%70%10%

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