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Observations

Space Based Imaging

More data: SWAP, EUI

Ground Based Imaging

More: H-α, WL, Ca-IIK, Drawings

Ground Based Radio

More: ARCAS+HSRS, CALLISTO

Space Based Timelines

More data: LYRA, TSI

WDC Sunspot Index

More data: SILSO

Space Weather Services

Detections

Solar Map

Latest Alerts

Flaremail 2023-12-08

A class M5.5 solar X-ray flare occurred on 2023/12/08 with peak time 23:07UT

CACTus Halo 2023-12-09

A halo or partial-halo CME was detected with the following characteristics: t0 | dt0| pa | da | v | dv | minv| maxv| 2023-12-09T06:24:07.597 | 2.0 | 181 | 156 | 1644 | 226 | 1157 | 1953 t0: onset time, earliest indication of liftoff dt0: duration of liftoff (hours) pa: principal angle, counterclockwise from North (degrees) da: angular width of the CME (degrees), v: median velocity (km/s) dv: variation (1 sigma) of velocity over the width of the CME mindv: lowest velocity detected within the CME maxdv: highest velocity detected within the CME

Forecasts

  • Flare: M-class flares
    (≥50%)
  • Protons: Quiet
  • Geomagnetic: Quiet
    (A<20 and K<4)
  • All quiet: False
  • Provisional SSN: 127

Solar Activity

URSIgram 2023-12-09

Solar flaring activity was moderate over past 24 hours with two M-class flares and several C-class flares. The two M5.4 and M1.5 class flares were produced by the most complex region, NOAA 3511, with a beta-gamma magnetic class. The flares peak time were at 23:07 UTC on December 08, and at 09:55 UTC on December 09 respectively. This region also produced several C-class flares. The other region, NOAA 3510 and NOAA 35011 also produced several C-class flares. C-class flares are expected in the next 24 hours with some chances of M-class flare from NOAA 3511 and possibly also from NOAA 3513. Several coronal mass ejections associated with filament eruptions were observed in the available SOHO/LASCO-C2 coronographe. However, those coronal mass ejections are expected to miss Earth. The large halo coronal mass ejection detected by the SIDC/CACTus tool in SOHO/LASCO-C2 coronographe images at 16:24 UTC on December 08 was determined to be back sided. Another halo coronal mass ejection associated to a large filament eruption was observed at 03:56 UTC on December 09. The analysis is ongoing, however, no Earth-directed component has been identified so far. The mid-latitude south coronal hole with a positive polarity has crossed the central median. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was at nominal levels over the past 24 hours and is expected to remain so for the next 24 hours. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux, as measured by the GOES-16 satellite, went above the 1000 pfu alert threshold during the last 24 hours due to the past fast solar wind conditions. It is expected to remain close to 1000 pfu during the next 24 hours. The 24h electron fluence was at moderate levels during the past 24 hours and is expected to remain at these levels for the following 24 hours.

Solar Wind

URSIgram 2023-12-09

Geomagnetic conditions were quiet with few short periods to unsettle conditions both globally and locally (NOAA-Kp and K-BEL 1 to 3) during the last 24 hours. We expect mainly quiet conditions in the next 24 hours in response to the slow solar wind conditions. The Solar Wind (SW) conditions near Earth show a slow solar wind regime. The SW speed ranged between 404 km/s and 460 km/s, the total interplanetary magnetic field (Bt) was below 5.0 nT. The North-South magnetic component (Bz) ranged between -3.7 nT and 4.4 nT. The interplanetary magnetic field phi angle was negative (directed towards the Sun) during the past 24 hours. The SW conditions are expected to remain in a slow solar wind regime in the next 24 hours.

Research

News

The Sun is going crazy!

Several solar eruptions on 27 and 28 November had an earth-directed component and caused a major geomagnetic storm on 1 December.

Numerous sunspots, few strong flares

While the daily sunspot number skyrocketed last week, the number of strong flares was quite modest.

Strong geomagnetic storms

So far, ongoing solar cycle 25 (SC25) has been geomagnetically more active than its predecessor SC24, but remains overall well below the long-term average of SC17 to 23.
 

Activities

Ground Observations

The SIDC monitors the level of solar activity from the photosphere to the corona with ground based instruments located in Uccle and Humain.

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Space Instruments

To avoid the disturbing or blocking effect of the Earth atmosphere, EUV observations of the solar corona need to be made from space...

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Space Weather & Climate

We monitor and forecast solar variability to provide information services  to society and industry about the influence of space weather and climate.

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Data Processing & Distribution

Data processing is necessary to extract relevant information for research studies, whereas data distribution and visualization are part of ROB open data policy.

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Modeling

Modelling of Solar phenomena allows scientists to test theories and to predict Space Weather phenomena and their impact on Earth.

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Supporting Research

The SIDC shares and expands its expertise through interaction with both upcoming and experienced researchers.

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