C Flares Abound as AR 1564 Prepares to Depart...

The above image was taken September 10th at 23:56:00 UTC by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 94 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This was the time of the C6 flare produced by Active Region 1564 (AR 1564) near the southwest limb. Image Credit: SDO/AIA

For the end of September 10th and most of the 11th, the solar activity was at low levels.  Active Region 1564 (AR 1564) was the most active of the designated regions, with several C-class flares. The largest of these was a C6 flare on the 10th at 23:56 UTC. AR 1567 and AR 1569 also contributed to the C-class flare activity. AR 1567 decayed throughout this period. There were no Earth-directed CMEs. The forecast through September 14th: The solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for an isolated M-class flare on the 12th. And this M-class probability is expected to decrease for the the 13th and 14th as AR 1564 rotates out of view.

At home, the geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels. The forecast through September 14th: The geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet with a slight chance for unsettled levels on the 12th and 13th. An increase to quiet to unsettled levels with a slight chance for an active period is expected on the 14th due to a favorably positioned coronal hole. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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Sept 9th M1 Flare and CME From AR 1564

The above image was taken September 9th at 22:36:00 UTC by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 94 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This was the time of the M1 flare produced by Active Region 1564 (AR 1564). Image Credit: SDO/AIA

For the end of September 9th and most of the 10th, the solar activity increased to moderate levels. Active Region 1564 (AR 1564) produced an M1 flare on the 9th at 22:36 UTC. In addition, AR 1564 and AR 1567 produced occasional C-class flares. On the 10th, at 10:00 UTC, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) observed a filament eruption from the southwest quadrant of the sun's disc. And an associated coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed over the south pole with an estimated plane of sky speed of 420 km/s. But pending further analysis, that CME is not expected to affect Earth. A new region rolled into view and was designated AR 1569. It's an A-type Hax  sunspot group, although additional trailer spots appeared to be rotating into view. The forecast through September 13th: The solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for an isolated M-class flare.

Above Earth, the geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels. A solar sector boundary crossing was observed at the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft at about 13:00 UTC. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels during the period. The forecast through September 13th: The geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels with a chance for unsettled levels. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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Sept 10th, Sol Going Back to Bed...

The above X-ray image of the sun was taken September 10th at 01:40:00 UTC by the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) aboard the GOES-15 satellite. Image Credit: NOAA

For the end of September 8th and most of the 9th, the solar activity was low. Active Region 1564 (AR 1564) produced two low-level C-class flares. AR 1568 was designated and produced low-level C-class flare. There were no Earth-directed CME activity. The forecast through September 12th: The solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for an isolated M-class flare.

At home, the geomagnetic field was quiet. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels during the period. The forecast through September 12th: The geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels with a chance for unsettled levels. Also, there is a slight chance for active levels on the 12th due to the onset of a coronal hole high-speed stream. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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M1 Flare, CME from AR 1564 / 1562 Interaction

The linked video, prepared by Helioviewer.org, shows images taken on September 8th from about 14:59 UTC to 19:17 UTC, by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 131 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), during the time of the long-duration M1 solar flare involving Active Regions 1564 and 1562 (AR 1562 and AR 1562). Image Credit: SDO/AIA.  captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory.

CLICK HERE to view the video at YouTube.

For the end of September 7th and most of the 8th, the solar activity was moderate. On the 8th at 17:59 UTC, a long-duration M1 solar flare was observed, appearing to involve an interaction between Active Regions 1564 and 1562 (AR 1564 and AR 1562). At the moment, AR 1564 appears to be the largest region on the sun's disc. At 10:00 UTC, Solar Heliospheric Observatory's (SOHO's) LASCO C2 instrument observed a coronal mass ejection off the west limb. And according to the STEREO-A COR2 imagery, it appears to be a full halo CME. But this CME is not expected to affect Earth. The forecast through September 11th: The solar activity is expected to remain low with a chance for an M-flare on the 9th and 10th, decreasing to a slight chance on day the 11th.

Above Earth, the geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to unsettled levels, with one period of active conditions at high latitudes. The solar wind speed at the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft remained near 400 km/s.  The Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field ranged from about +/- 5nT and Earth remained in the positive sector. A slow rise in high-energy particles at ACE was observed beginning on the 9th around 11:00 UTC. This rise is believed to be associated with that CME observed around 10:00 UTC. The forecast through September 11th: The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly quiet. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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September 8th, Nighty Night, Sol...

The above X-ray image of the sun was taken September 8th at 02:44:00 UTC by the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) aboard the GOES-15 satellite. Image Credit: NOAA

For the end of September 6th and most of the 7th, the solar activity was low. Active Regions 1560 and 1562 (AR 1560 and AR 1562) each produced a few low-level C-class flares. AR 1562 continued to grow in area. AR 1567 was designated on the 7th. Its a simple Bxo-beta type spot group. All other regions on the sun's disc were quiet and stable. And no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed. The forecast through September 10th: The solar activity is expected to be low with a slight chance for isolated M-class flare activity.

At home, the geomagnetic field was mostly quiet. The forecast through September 10th: The geomagnetic field is expected to remain mostly quiet. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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M1 Flare on Sept 6th From AR 1560...

The above image was taken September 6th at 04:13:00 UTC by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 94 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This was the time of the M1 x-ray flare produced by Active Region 1560 (AR 1560). Image Credit: SDO/AIA

For the end of September 5th and most of the 6th, the solar activity was moderate (Wow. Not "low" or "very low"...). Active Region 1560 (AR 1560) produced an impulsive M1 x-ray flare on the 6th at 04:13 UTC, as well as occasional low-level C-class solar flares. No obvious changes were noted in AR 1560, but its closeness to the limb hampered any analysis. AR 1564 also produced occasional low-level C-class flares. It showed minor sunspot and penumbral growth in its interior portion. AR 1562 showed gradual spot and penumbral growth during the period. No new regions were designated. And no Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) activity occurred during the period. The forecast through September 9th: The solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for an isolated M-class flare on the 7th. This will drop to a slight chance for the 8th and 9th.

Earth's geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels. Active levels occurred on the 6th during 00:00 UTC to 03:00 UTC due to periods of southward IMF Bz and enhanced IMF Bt associated with a solar sector boundary change. Field activity decreased to mostly quiet levels after 03:00 UTC. The forecast through September 9th: The geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels with a chance for unsettled levels. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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Sept 6th, Maybe an M-Class Flare...

The above image presents four charts: the GOES-13 satellite Proton Flux reading (top), the GOES-13 satellite Electron Flux reading (upper-middle), the GOES-13 satellite Hp reading (lower-middle), and the GOES-15 Estimated Kp reading. Image Credit: NOAA/SWPC Boulder, Colorado, USA

For the end of September 4th and most of the 5th, the solar activity was low. Active Region 1564 (AR 15464) produced occasional C-class solar flares including a C6 flare on the 5th at 03:47 UTC and a C7 flare at 08:06 UTC, neither of which were associated with significant radio emission. AR 1564 showed gradual sunspot and penumbral decay during the period, but retained a beta-gamma configuration due to polarity mixing in the vicinity of its intermediate spots. AR 1560 showed minor sunspot loss in its trailer portion during the period. It retained a change within its intermediate sunspots, but the change appeared to be dissipating. The remaining spotted region were unremarkable. No new regions were designated and Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) occurred during the period. The forecast through September 8th: The solar activity is expected to be low, with a chance for an isolated M-class flare during the 6th and 7th.

Above Earth, the geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to major storm levels with a brief period of severe storm levels at high latitudes. An interplanetary shock passed the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft on the 4th at 22:03 UTC, indicating the arrival of the CMEs observed on the 2nd. Field activity increased to major storm levels during the 5th over 00:00 UTC to 03:00 UTC following the shock, then decreased to minor storm levels during 03:00 UTC to 06:00 UTC. A further decrease to active levels occurred during 06:00 UTC to 09:00 UTC. Quiet to unsettled levels occurred during the rest of the period with active to minor storm levels detected at high latitudes. The forecast through September 8th: The geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels with a chance for active levels on the 6th due to possible weak coronal hole high-speed stream effects. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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Sept 5th, More CMEs...

The above X-ray image of the sun was taken September 5th at 00:52:00 UTC by the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) aboard the GOES-15 satellite. Image Credit: NOAA

For the end of September 3rd and most of the 4th, the solar activity was low. Active Region 1564 (AR 1564) was the most active, producing occasional low-level C-class solar flares. And the region's spot count increased and decreased over this period. AR 1560 showed a slight decrease in spots and area. No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed during the period. The forecast through September 7th: The solar activity is expected to be low, with a chance for an isolated M-class flare.

Here at home, the geomagnetic field activity level ranged from quiet to minor storm levels with some major storms at high latitudes, all from the residual effects from an earlier CME. The forecast through September 7th: For the 5th and 6th, the level of geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to unsettled with a chance for active levels. This is due to the arrival of the September 2nd CME, along with a co-rotating interaction region in advance of a coronal hole high-speed stream. The CMEs are expected to arrive around midday on the 5th. And the high-speed stream is expected to commence on the 6th. Field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels on the 7th as the effects of the high-speed stream subside. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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Sept 4th, Aug 31st CME was Felt...

The above image presents four charts: the GOES-13 satellite Proton Flux reading (top), the GOES-13 satellite Electron Flux reading (upper-middle), the GOES-13 satellite Hp reading (lower-middle), and the GOES-15 Estimated Kp reading. Image Credit: NOAA/SWPC Boulder, Colorado, USA

For the end of September 2nd and most of the 3rd, the solar activity was low. Active Regions 1560 and 1564 (AR 1560 and AR 1564) each produced occasional C-class solar flares. And AR 1560 increased in magnetic complexity. AR 1564 also had gradual growth and increased in magnetic complexity. AR 1553 produced occasional occasional optical subflares as it neared the west limb. And a new region was designated, AR 1566. There were no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed. The forecast through September 6th: The solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for isolated M-class flares.

Back at Earth, the geomagnetic field activity ranged from unsettled to major storm levels with a brief period of severe storm levels at high latitudes. An interplanetary shock passed the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft on the 3rd at 11:23 UTC, indicating the arrival of the Halo CME observed on August 31st. This was followed by a geomagnetic sudden impulse at 12:14 UTC. Field activity increased to major storm levels during 12:00 UTC to 15:00 UTC following the sudden impulse, then decreased to active levels for the rest of the period, with minor storm periods detected at high latitudes. The greater than 10 MeV proton event at geosynchronous orbit that began on September 1st at 13:35 UTC, reached a maximum of 60 pfu on the 2nd at 08:50 UTC, and was in progress as the period ended. The forecast through September 6th: On September 4th, the geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels with a chance for minor storm levels as CME effects wind down. On the 5th and 6th, quiet to unsettled conditions are expected with a chance for active levels due to arrival of Earth-directed CMEs observed on September 2nd, along with a co-rotating interaction region ahead of a coronal hole high-speed stream. this stream is expected to commence on the 6th. The greater than 10 MeV proton event at geosynchronous orbit is expected to end on the 4th. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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Sept 3rd, Possible Storms From Aug 31st CME...

The above X-ray image of the sun was taken September 3rd at 01:48:00 UTC by the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) aboard the GOES-15 satellite. Image Credit: NOAA

For the end of September 1st and most of the 2nd, the solar activity was low. The largest flare was a C5 flare produced by Active Region 1560 (AR 1560) on the 2nd at 18:10 UTC. And this remains the largest and most magnetically complex region, with a beta-gamma configuration. Two potentially Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed with estimated speeds of 570 and 530 km/s, and a Type IV radio sweep occurred at 04:35 UTC. The forecast through September 5th: The solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for an M-class flare.

At home, the geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to unsettled levels. The forecast through the 4th: On September 2nd, the geomagnetic activity is expected to range from quiet to unsettled. On the 3rd, the activity is expected to increase to minor storm levels with a chance for major storm levels with the arrival of the August 31st coronal mass ejecting (CME), and there is a chance of reaching severe storm levels at high latitudes. On the 4th, the activity is expected to decrease to mostly unsettled conditions as the CME effects wane. Stay tuned...

The forecast through September 5th: September 3rd will see the arrival of the CME from August 31st. The high latitudes have a chance of severe storms. On the 4th and 5th, activity is expected to decrease to mostly unsettled conditions with continuing CME effects. And the two CMEs observed on the 2nd, along with the coronal hold high-speed stream, are expected to arrive on the 5th. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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September 2nd, the CME is Coming...

The above image was taken September 1st at 19:25:00 UTC by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 304 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Image Credit: SDO/AIA

For the end of August 31th and most of September 1st, the solar activity was low. The largest flare was a C3 flare from Active Region 1554 (AR 1554) at 00:39 UTC. AR 1560 is still the largest and most complex on the sun's disc. The forecast through September 4th: The solar activity level is expected to be low with a chance for moderate activity.

Back at Earth, the geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to unsettled levels. The forecast through the 4th: On September 2nd, the geomagnetic activity is expected to range from quiet to unsettled. On the 3rd, the activity is expected to increase to minor storm levels with a chance for major storm levels with the arrival of the August 31st coronal mass ejecting (CME), and there is a chance of reaching severe storm levels at high latitudes. On the 4th, the activity is expected to decrease to mostly unsettled conditions as the CME effects wane. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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Now That's a CME!

The above image was taken August 31st at 19:49:00 UTC by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 304 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This was four minutes after SDO/AIA first confirmed the coronal mass ejection (CME) stretching out from the southeastern portion of the sun's disc. Image Credit: SDO/AIA

For the end of August 30h and most of the 31st, the solar activity was low. Active Region 1560, 1563 and newly numbered 1564 (which just rotated around the east limb) each produced low-level C-class flares. AR 1560 grew in area and became more magnetically complex, with a beta-gamma magnetic configuration. Late on the 31st, things got interesting. At 19:45 UTC, coronal mass ejection (CME) was first observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 304 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Later, at 20:43 UTC, there was observed a C8 solar flare associated with a large filament eruption. This eruption was associated with a Type II (estimated speed 515 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps. Further evaluation of the CME is expected from SOHO's LASCO instruments. The forecast through September 3rd: The solar activity level is expected to be low with a chance for moderate activity.

Above Earth, the geomagnetic field was quiet. The forecast through September 3rd: The geomagnetic field is expected to remain quiet. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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August 31st, More M-Class Flares Coming?

The above image was taken August 30th at 12:11:00 UTC by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 94 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This was the time of the M1 solar flare produced by an undesignated region on the southeast limb. Image Credit: SDO/AIA

For the end of August 29th and most of the 30th, the solar activity was moderate. A region around the east limb produced an M1 solar flare on the 30th at 12:11 UTC, along with multiple C-class flares. No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed. And two new active regions were designated: AR 1562 and AR 1563. The forecast through September 2nd: The solar activity level is expected to be low with a chance for moderate activity.

At home, the geomagnetic field was at mostly quiet levels. The forecast through September 2nd: The geomagnetic field for the 31st and the 1st is expected to range from quiet to unsettled, with a chance for minor to major storm levels at high latitudes. This is due to the effects of a coronal hole high-speed stream. On the 2nd, activity is expected to return to mostly quiet levels with a slight chance for active to minor storm levels at high latitudes. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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August 30th, A C4 Flare? Yawn...

The above image was taken August 29th at 19:58:00 UTC by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 94 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This was the time of the C4-class solar flare produced by an undesignated region on the southeast limb. Image Credit: SDO/AIA

For the end of August 28th and most of the 29th, the solar activity was low. The largest solar flare of the period was a C4 flare, produced just around the southeast limb on August 29th at 19:58 UTC. A new region was designated, Active Region 1560 (AR 1560), and no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed. The forecast through September 1st: The solar activity level is expected to range from very low to low, with a slight chance for moderate activity.

Back at Earth, the geomagnetic field has been quiet. The forecast through September 1st: The geomagnetic field is expected to be predominately quiet on the 30th. For August 31st and September 1st, the activity is expected to range from quiet to unsettled, with a slight chance for active conditions, due to the effects of a coronal hole high-speed stream. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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August 29th, Snoozy Sol...

The above image was taken August 28th at 03:07:00 UTC by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 304 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This was the time of the B6-class solar flare produced by Active Region 1558 (AR 1558), on the east limb above the equator. Image Credit: SDO/AIA

For the end of August 27th and most of the 28th, the solar activity was very low. The largest solar flare of the period was a B6 flare, produced by Active Region 1558 (AR 1558) on August 28th at 03:07 UTC. A new region was designated, AR 1559, and no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed. The forecast through the 31st: The solar activity level is expected to range from low to very low, with a slight chance for moderate activity.

At home, the geomagnetic field has been relatively quiet. The forecast through the 31st: The geomagnetic field is expected to be predominately quiet. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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August 28th, More ARs. That's About it...

The above image was taken August 27th at 08:21:00 UTC by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), at 131 Angstroms, aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). This was the time of the B9-class solar flare produced by Active Region 1558 (AR 1558), on the east limb. Image Credit: SDO/AIA

For the end of August 26th and most of the 27th, the solar activity was very low. Three new active regions were labeled: AR 1556, AR 1557, and AR 1558. And speaking of the latter, AR 1558 produced a B9-class flare, the largest for the period, on the 27th at 08:21 UTC. Several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed, but none appear to be directed toward Earth. The forecast through August 30th: The solar activity level is expected to range from very low to low, with a slight chance for moderate activity.

Here at home, the geomagnetic field level ranged from quiet and unsettled. The forecast through August 30th: The geomagnetic field is expected to range in activity from quiet to unsettled levels with a slight chance for active conditions on the 28th and 29th, due to continued effects from a coronal hole high-speed stream. On the 30th, conditions are expected to return to predominately quiet levels. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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August 27th, Looking for Aurorae...

The above image, taken August 27th at 00:15 UTC, shows the auroral ovals for Earth's northern hemisphere (left) and southern hemisphere (right). The image is extrapolated from measurements taken during the most recent polar pass of the NOAA POES satellite. Image Credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

For the end of August 25th and most of the 26th, the solar activity was low. The sun's largest solar flare was a C1-class, produced on the 26th at 18:17 UTC from a region just around the east limb. So this is from a region to which we have yet to be introduced. No coronal mass ejections (CMEs) produced during this time are expected to have any effect on Earth. Forecast through August 29th: The solar activity is expected to range from very low to low with a slight chance for moderate solar activity.

Above Earth, the geomagnetic activity ranged from quiet to unsettled wth an isolated period of storms at the active and major levels at high latitudes. Forecast through August 29th: the geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to unsettled with a slight chance for active conditions. On the 27th, there is a slight chance for major storms at high latitudes. This chance increases on the 28th and 29th, due to a high-speed stream from a coronal hole. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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August 28th, Sleepy Sun...

The above X-ray image of the sun was taken August 26st at 11:48:00 UTC by the Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) aboard the GOES-15 satellite. Image Credit: NOAA

For the end of August 24th and most of the 25th, solar activity was low. Active Region 1554 (AR 1554) produced one C1-class solar flare on the 25th at 02:36 UTC. Adn no coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed during this period were expected to affect Earth. A new region was numbered, AR 1555, which will be watched as it grows in intensity. Forecast through August 28th: The solar activity is expected to be very low with a chance of C-class flares.

At home, the geomagnetic activity levels ranged from quiet to unsettled. There were two periods of storms at high latitudes which ranged from active to major levels. And the solar wind velocity increased to around 600 km/s with the arrival of a coronal hole high-speed stream. Forecast through August 28th: The geomagnetic levels are expected to range from quiet to unsettled. There is a slight chance for storms at high latitudes in the active to major levels, due to the residual effects from the coronal hole high-speed stream. The activity is expected to decline to mostly quiet levels with a slight chance for storms at the high latitudes on the 27th. On the 28th, levels should range from quiet to unsettled with a chance for minor to major storms due to the arival of another negative polarity coronal hole. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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Thanks for His Small Step and Giant Leap...

The above image is a portrait of Astronaut Neil Alden Armstrong, commander of Apollo 11 mission. Image Credit: NASA

Saturday, August 25th, Neil Alden Armstrong passed away while recovering from surgery on the 7th to relieve blocked coronary arteries. Armstrong was 82. Born August 5, 1930, Armstrong was an American NASA astronaut, test pilot, aerospace engineer, university professor, United States Naval Aviator, and the first person to set foot upon the Moon.

"That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." — Neil Armstrong, 2:56 UTC, July 21, 1969

Before becoming an astronaut, Armstrong was in the United States Navy and served in the Korean War. After the war, he served as a test pilot at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) High-Speed Flight Station, now known as the Dryden Flight Research Center, where he flew over 900 flights in a variety of aircraft. As a research pilot, Armstrong served as project pilot on the F-100 Super Sabre A and C variants, F-101 Voodoo, and the Lockheed F-104A Starfighter. He also flew the Bell X-1B, Bell X-5, North American X-15, F-105 Thunderchief, F-106 Delta Dart, B-47 Stratojet, KC-135 Stratotanker, and was one of eight elite pilots involved in the paraglider research vehicle program (Paresev). He graduated from Purdue University and the University of Southern California.

A participant in the U.S. Air Force's Man In Space Soonest and X-20 Dyna-Soar human spaceflight programs, Armstrong joined the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1962. His first spaceflight was the NASA Gemini 8 mission in 1966, for which he was the command pilot, becoming one of the first U.S. civilians to fly in space. On this mission, he performed the first manned docking of two spacecraft with pilot David Scott. Armstrong's second and last spaceflight was as mission commander of the Apollo 11 moon landing mission on July 20, 1969. On this mission, Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended to the lunar surface and spent 2½ hours exploring while Michael Collins remained in orbit in the Command Module. Armstrong was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Richard Nixon along with Collins and Aldrin, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009.

"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." — Neil Armstrong, confirming touchdown on the Moon, 20:17 UTC, July 20, 1969

CLICK HERE to view NASA's official biography of Neil Armstrong.

CLICK HERE to view the Quicktime-formatted video excerpts from the Apollo 11 mission.

CLICK HERE to bring up the iTunes page of Apollo 11 recordings.

CLICK HERE to visit the NASA commemorative site of images and video from the Apollo Program.

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August 25th, Aurorae at High Latitudes!

The above image, taken August 25th at 02:13 UTC, shows the auroral ovals for Earth's northern hemisphere (left) and southern hemisphere (right). The image is extrapolated from measurements taken during the most recent polar pass of the NOAA POES satellite. Image Credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

For the end of August 23rd and most of the 24th, the solar activity was very low. Some coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were seen, but none that are expected to affect Earth. Keeping track of things, a new active region was designated, AR 1554. Forecast through the 27th: the solar activity is expected to be very low with a chance of C-class flares.

Earth's geophysical activity has ranged from quiet to unsettled, with storms ranging from active to minor at high latitudes. Forecast through the 27th: the geomagnetic activity is expected to range from quiet to unsettled with isolated periods of active storms. There is a chance for storms at high latitudes ranging from minor to major, due to a recurring high-speed stream from the coronal hole. Stay tuned...

To monitor solar flare activity minute by minute, visit the "Today's Space Weather" page of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html).

To learn more about the sun and to stay current on solar activity, visit the mission home pages of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) (sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov), the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) (sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov), the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) (www.srl.caltech.edu/ACE), and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) (stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov).

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