Viewing archive of Saturday, 12 January 2002
Solar activity report
Any mentioned solar flare in this report has a scaling factor applied by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Because of the SWPC scaling factor, solar flares are reported as 42% smaller than for the science quality data. The scaling factor has been removed from our archived solar flare data to reflect the true physical units.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 2002 Jan 12 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.comJoint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity
SDF Number 012 Issued at 2200Z on 12 Jan 2002
IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 11-2100Z to 12-2100Z
Solar activity has been moderate due to four M-class
events during the past 24 hours. Region 9775 (S05E30) produced three
of these: an M1/Sf at 0322 UTC, an M1/1n at 1519 UTC, and an M1/Sf
at 1929 UTC. The region has not changed size significantly, but
appears to be active due to the emergence of new magnetic flux. The
group currently has a relatively complex magnetic configuration
(beta-gamma). The fourth M-class event was an M3 at 1843 UTC: this
event was associated with erupting prominence activity on the west
limb near S17. Region 9773 (N15W46) continues to be the largest
sunspot group on the disk. This group did not show much change and
managed to produce a few subflares during the past 24 hours.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be
moderate. Regions 9773, 9775, and 9778 are the most likely sources
for M-class flares. There continues to be a slight chance for a
major flare or proton producing flare from Region 9773.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 11-2100Z to 12-2100Z
The geomagnetic field was unsettled to active during the past 24
hours. The enhanced level of activity was due to continued effects
from a coronal hole associated high speed solar wind stream. The
solar wind velocity showed an overall decreasing trend today,
suggesting that the coronal hole effects should not last much
longer. The greater than 10 MeV proton event that began on 10/2045
UTC continues in progress: flux levels decayed throughout the day
and had reached 16.1 PFU at forecast issue time.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field is
expected to decrease to mostly unsettled levels for the next two
days as the current enhanced solar wind should subside soon. Quiet
to unsettled levels are expected by day three. LASCO observations do
not show any CMEs to be associated with today's solar flare
activity.
III. Event Probabilities 13 Jan to 15 Jan
Class M | 70% | 70% | 70% |
Class X | 20% | 20% | 20% |
Proton | 50% | 20% | 20% |
PCAF | in progress
|
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
Observed 12 Jan 233
Predicted 13 Jan-15 Jan 235/240/240
90 Day Mean 12 Jan 224
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
Observed Afr/Ap 11 Jan 012/021
Estimated Afr/Ap 12 Jan 015/015
Predicted Afr/Ap 13 Jan-15 Jan 012/012-012/010-005/008
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 13 Jan to 15 Jan
A. Middle Latitudes |
Active | 25% | 25% | 20% |
Minor storm | 10% | 10% | 05% |
Major-severe storm | 05% | 05% | 01% |
B. High Latitudes |
Active | 25% | 25% | 20% |
Minor storm | 15% | 15% | 10% |
Major-severe storm | 05% | 05% | 01% |
All times in UTC
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