Viewing archive of Monday, 23 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 23 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 023 Issued at 2200Z on 23 Jan 2012

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 22-2100Z to 23-2100Z

Solar activity reached high levels. Region 1402 (N28W36) produced a long-duration M8/2b flare at 23/0359Z. Associated with this event were multi-frequency radio emissions spanning 25 MHz through 15.4 GHz including a 5100 sfu Tenflare. SOHO/LASCO observed an asymmetric, full-halo CME, first observed in C2 imagery at 27/0412Z as a bright halo over the northern hemisphere. Model output suggests potential Earth impact midday on 24 January. Region 1402 showed some umbral separation in the large leader spot. Region 1401 (N16W39) produced a C1/Sf at 23/2011Z. The remainder of the disk was quiet and stable.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be low during the period (24 - 26 January) with M-class activity likely from Regions 1401 and 1402.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 22-2100Z to 23-2100Z
The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to minor storms levels. The period began with active to minor storm conditions as the field was under the influence of the 19 January CME. By 23/0600Z, the field became mostly quiet to unsettled. Solar wind speeds began the period at about 450 km/s while the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) was at about -10 nT. By about 0630Z, wind speeds dropped sharply to near 300 km/s, density dropped to near 0 p/cc and IMF Bz turned northward. These signatures were consistent with a possible reverse shock at the back end of the CME. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at greater than or equal to 10 pfu and the greater than 100 MeV proton flux at greater than or equal to 1 pfu at geosynchronous orbit were above threshold during the period. The 10 MeV event began at 23/0530Z and reached at maximum of 3100 pfu at 23/1940Z. The 100 MeV event began at 23/0445Z and reached a maximum of 2.3 pfu at 23/0750Z. Both events were still in progress at the time of this report.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to isolated severe storm levels on day one (24 January). Mostly quiet levels are expected through midday on 24 January when the anticipated arrival of the 23 January CME is expected to affect the field. Active to major storm levels, with isolated severe storm periods, are expected for the remainder of day one. By day two (25 January), field activity is expected to decrease to unsettled to active levels, with isolated minor storm periods, as effects from the CME wane. Day three (26 January) should see a return to mostly quiet conditions.
III. Event Probabilities 24 Jan to 26 Jan
Class M60%60%60%
Class X10%10%10%
Proton99%99%50%
PCAFGreen
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       23 Jan 144
  Predicted   24 Jan-26 Jan  145/145/145
  90 Day Mean        23 Jan 143
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 22 Jan  022/024
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 23 Jan  008/009
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 24 Jan-26 Jan  022/042-018/020-005/005
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 24 Jan to 26 Jan
A. Middle Latitudes
Active15%30%05%
Minor storm35%15%01%
Major-severe storm20%01%01%
B. High Latitudes
Active20%40%10%
Minor storm50%25%05%
Major-severe storm30%10%01%

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