Viewing archive of Saturday, 21 January 2012

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 2012 Jan 21 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 021 Issued at 2200Z on 21 Jan 2012

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 20-2100Z to 21-2100Z

Solar activity was low. Isolated low-level C-class flares were observed. Plage Region 1396 (N25W86) produced a C1 x-ray flare at 20/2112Z associated with a Type II radio sweep (estimated shock velocity 945 km/s) and a non-Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME). Region 1402 (N29W11) produced a long-duration C1 at 20/2333Z associated with a weak Type IV radio sweep. Region 1402 showed gradual trailer spot decay during the period and was classified as a Cko group with a beta magnetic configuration. Region 1401 (N17W14) also showed gradual trailer spot decay and was classified as an Ehi group with a beta magnetic classification. New Regions 1408 (N08E69) and 1409 (N16E50) were numbered. Both were small and simply-structured.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be low through the period (22 - 24 January) with a chance for an isolated M-class flare.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 20-2100Z to 21-2100Z
The geomagnetic field was at mostly quiet levels with brief active to minor storm levels at high latitudes. A weak interplanetary shock was observed at the ACE spacecraft at around 21/0400Z. This was followed by a weak geomagnetic sudden impulse at 21/0502Z (7 nT, Boulder USGS magnetometer).
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to be at mostly quiet levels until late on day 1 (22 January). Activity is forecast to increase to unsettled to active levels at around 22/1800Z and continue into day 2 (23 January) due to the expected arrival of the halo-CME observed on 19 January. There will also be a chance for minor storm levels during the CME passage. Field activity is expected to decrease to quiet to unsettled levels on day 3 (24 January) as CME effects subside.
III. Event Probabilities 22 Jan to 24 Jan
Class M35%35%35%
Class X01%01%01%
Proton10%10%10%
PCAFGreen
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       21 Jan 142
  Predicted   22 Jan-24 Jan  145/145/145
  90 Day Mean        21 Jan 143
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 20 Jan  003/004
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 21 Jan  005/005
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 22 Jan-24 Jan  009/010-020/025-007/008
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 22 Jan to 24 Jan
A. Middle Latitudes
Active25%40%10%
Minor storm10%20%01%
Major-severe storm01%05%01%
B. High Latitudes
Active30%50%20%
Minor storm20%25%10%
Major-severe storm05%10%01%

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