SOLAR WATCH * Huge X8.2 Flare Sept. 10, 2017! (Updated Daily)

THE STORM HAS FIZZLED: As predicted, a CME (pictured below) hit Earth's magnetic field during the early hours of Dec. 10th (1:30 UT), but the impact did not cause a geomagnetic storm. Mid-latitude auroras are not likely tonight.

Why didn't the CME cause a storm? Every CME brings with it some magnetic field from the sun. If that magnetic field points south, it opens cracks in Earth's magnetic field, allowing solar wind to flow inside and fuel auroras. On the other hand, if the CME's magnetic field points north, it seals cracks in Earth's magnetic field, blocking the solar wind and quenching storms.

This CME brought a storm-killing north magnetic field. So, even though the velocity of the solar wind in the CME's wake flirted with a high value of 600 km/s, it was ineffective in causing geomagnetic storms and auroras.

[link to www.spaceweather.com (secure)]

More Solar Weirdness-

A dozen B-flares in a row from AR2791- a completely SPOTLESS AR. The largest was a B5.8.

Another B5.3 just came from the east limb. A new active region will be coming over soon.

AR2790 has been silent.

GONG pic of B5.8 flare:
[link to halpha.nso.edu]

Good flare, decent cme, a very anti-climactic ending and all I got out of it was a crush on a UC Berkeley intern..

her work is pretty good actually..

this is worth reading for any intermediate level suntard..

[link to agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com (secure)]

Thanks OE! I was only giggling at your crush comment. :)

you're just jealous, I know..

Possible Earth-directed CME (yes, really)

Spotless AR2791 continues to flare.

24-hr SDO movie:
[link to sdodata.oma.be]

A long-duration B5 event may have sent a small CME our way.

STEREO A movie:

[link to stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov (secure)]

STEREO A difference pic of new CME:

[link to stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov (secure)]

It's like a Christmas miracle!!

https://imgur.com/mEhiR28

Hiya, OE Thanks for embedding the photo.

We've seen CMEs from B-flares before, though they're extremely rare. But I don't EVER recall a CME from a spotless plaige.

AR2791 is close to 30-degrees West, so its perfectly placed to be geoeffective.

Conveniently, SoHO and STEREO stopped updating 90 minutes ago.

It is like a Christmas miracle. the immaculate CME.

I'm following (but not stalking) Erika and HaloCME now to see if there's any news on the flux rope orientation..

it should be just about on the magnetic connection line I suppose..

CACTus CME analysis appears to show a slow ejection far west of the Sun-Earth line.

CACTuS Details:
[link to www.sidc.oma.be]

I'll continue to wait for a STEREO update as I'm not convinced this is the same CME I witnessed earlier. SoHO does have a blind spot - plasma directed straight at the occulting disc.

Either way, I doubt this would have any significant impact at Earth.

The recent B6.7 flare seems to herald the return of AR 2783....Welcome Back.

Far-side Report from SolarHam-

[link to www.solarham.net (secure)]



Last Edited by Helios Maximus on 12/11/2020 09:54 PM

There's at least one spot left to old 2783. If you examine the SE limb you'll find a new AR2792 (provisional).

Latest HMI Intensitygram:

[link to jsoc.stanford.edu]

Looks like a monster coming around.



[link to weather.msfc.nasa.gov (secure)]

yep, that should be numbered.. beta potential at least..

https://imgur.com/U1tJXAR

kevin just called it 2792..

The likely return of old AR 2783. Reassigned AR 2792 on December 12, 2020.

[link to www.solarham.net (secure)]

Last Edited by OpenEnded.. on 12/12/2020 02:51 PM

I wager it's going to intensify over the next 72 hours.

Eclipse plus Gemini - would make sense with all the stuff happening.

Probably will be facing directly towards us on Dec 21 also

and it's not alone, possible 2793 just over the horizon..

Knows we're talking about it. Just gave off a plasma burst.

[link to weather.msfc.nasa.gov (secure)]


Can see it in the flux climbing right now.

[link to www.swpc.noaa.gov (secure)]

repeat reminder..

https://twitter.com/_/status/1338224021901471745

Last Edited by OpenEnded.. on 12/14/2020 12:02 AM