Huge sunspot turned our way, might produce X-flare

[pokerfan]

A giant region of sunspots on the sun’s surface – known to scientists as AR1476 – has been turned in Earth’s direction in recent day. It is producing many M-class solar flares, including an M5-class solar flare this morning (May 10, 2012), and might soon produce an X-flare, the most powerful kind of solar flare, scientists say. NOAA forecasters are estimating a 65% chance of more M-class flares and a 10% chance of X-flares during the next 24 hours.

http://earthsky.org/space/huge-sunspot-ar1476-turned-our-way-might-produce-x-flare

[krispos42]

1. I just took a peek with my spotting scope

Of course, with a brand-new solar filter on it.


Oh, damn, that was fucking awesome!!!!!


Edited to add:

[pokerfan]

2. You took a what?

on your new scope?!

[krispos42]

3. ...

Sorry, I got all excited and stuff...

[BlueJazz]

4. I use a old pair of binoculars (10x60) and a white slate. Usually works fairly well.

[progressoid]

5. Hmm...I see mutant super heroes in our near future!

[BadgerKid]

6. Ruh-oh....

[BadgerKid]

7. 20% chance of X-class flare 11-13 May

Prepared jointly by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA,
Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.S. Air Force.
Updated 2012 May 10 2200 UTC

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity
SDF Number 131 Issued at 2200Z on 10 May 2012

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 09/2100Z
to 10/2100Z: Solar activity has been at high levels for the past 24
hours with multiple M-class solar flares observed. Region 1476
(N12E08) was responsible for almost all of the activity with 3
M-class events observed, the largest being a M5/2b event at
10/0418Z. Associated with these events, were discrete frequency
radio bursts, Tenflares, and even a Type IV radio sweep. Region 1476
has shown mixed growth and shear effects across the polarities as it
continues to evolve. A weak Earth directed CME was observed in
STEREO COR2 A and B imagery early in the period. Analysis and
current models show this CME joining the current coronal hole high
speed stream (CH HSS). Region 1477 (S22E47) was split into two
regions today as SDO magnetogram data indicated the leader and
follower sunspot groups were actually two magnetic bipoles. Leader
group is Region 1477 and follower group is now Region 1478 (S24E55).

IB. Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to be at
moderate levels with a slight chance for X-class events for the next
three days (11 - 13 May) as Region 1476 continues to grow and
evolve.

IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 09/2100Z to 10/2100Z:
The geomagnetic field has been at quiet to active levels for the past
24 hours with an isolated minor storm period observed at high
latitudes. Solar wind measurements, as observed by the ACE
spacecraft, showed a continued increase in solar wind speeds to
around 620 km/s, a drop off in solar wind density, and the total IMF
began to stabilize around 5 nT. These characteristics are indicative
of a CH HSS. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous
orbit reached high levels during the period.

IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic field is
expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels with a chance for active
periods for the next three days (11 - 13 May). The increased
activity is due to both the continued CH HSS effects and three weak,
slow moving CMEs intertwined within.

III. Event Probabilities 11 May-13 May
Class M 75/75/75
Class X 20/20/20
Proton 10/10/10
PCAF Green

IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
Observed 10 May 131
Predicted 11 May-13 May 130/130/130
90 Day Mean 10 May 113

V. Geomagnetic A Indices
Observed Afr/Ap 09 May 019/025
Estimated Afr/Ap 10 May 010/010
Predicted Afr/Ap 11 May-13 May 012/012-010/012-006/010

VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 11 May-13 May
A. Middle Latitudes
Active 20/20/15
Minor storm 05/05/01
Major-severe storm 01/01/01
B. High Latitudes
Active 40/40/30
Minor storm 10/10/10
Major-severe storm 01/01/01

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/forecast.html