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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

None

No alerts since: 2026-04-11

Forecasts

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

Solar Activity

URSIgram 2026-04-16

A total of 3 numbered sunspot groups were identified on the disk over the past 24 hours. Solar flaring activity was low over the past 24 hours, with only C-class flares identified. The largest flare was a C1.2 flare (SIDC Flare 7408) peaking on April 16 at 00:53 UTC, which was produced by SIDC Sunspot Group 825 (NOAA Active Regions 4397, 4419). Solar flaring activity is expected to be low over the next 24 hours, with C-class flares likely. A filament located around S20E20 erupted early on 15 April, leading to a CME seen by LASCO C2 at 09:00 UT on 15 April. This CME is mostly directed to the south and most likely will not arrive to the Earth, but there are low chances of seeing a glancing blow on 18-19 August. There's a large equatorial coronal hole located in the northern hemisphere (SIDC Coronal Hole 147). The greater than 10 MeV proton flux, as measured by GOES-18, was below the 10 pfu threshold level 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 GOES-18 and GOES-19 went above the 1000 pfu alert threshold in the past 24 hours. The flux is expected to fluctuate around the alert threshold over the next 24 hours. The 24-hour electron fluence was at normal to moderate levels over the past 24 hours and is expected to remain at these levels over the next 24 hours.

Solar Wind

URSIgram 2026-04-16

Geomagnetic conditions have been quiet to unsettled (Kp up to 2 and K_BEL up to 3). Similar conditions can be expected for the next 24 hours. The solar wind speed is low, around 330 km/s with interplanetary magnetic field magnitude of 5 nT, with positive polarity (away from the Sun). The high speed solar wind stream from a large coronal hole located in the northern hemisphere (SIDC Coronal Hole 147) will reach the Earth in 24 to 48h.

Research

News

The (artificially coloured) yellow part of the video shows the Sun in ultraviolet light, recorded by the SWAP telescope on ESA's Proba-2 spacecraft. The greyscale area around it is based on data captured in visible light by the ASPIICS coronagraph on Proba-3.

A New View of the Sun’s Corona

The Belgian-led ASPIICS coronagraph aboard ESA’s Proba-3 mission reveals a dynamic birthplace of the solar wind. Observations made by the ASPIICS coronagraph reveal a world of small-scale activity in the Sun’s inner corona, according to a new study led by the Royal Observatory of Belgium.
ComboCMEX1

A wimp and a bully

Two earth-directed coronal mass ejections surprised space weather forecasters with their arrival time and geomagnetic impact. The first one passed almost unnoticeable, the second one eventually resulted in a strong geomagnetic storm.
X1_AIA131

X-class flare!

NOAA 4405 produced an X-class flare early on 30 March. The associated CME arrived around noon on 1 April. There's no chance on aurora over Belgium tonight. ***(UPDATED 2)***
 

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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