Viewing archive of Wednesday, 18 June 2003

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 2003 Jun 18 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 169 Issued at 2200Z on 18 Jun 2003

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 17-2100Z to 18-2100Z

Solar activity increased to high levels today. Region 386 (S07E43) produced an M6.8 x-ray flare (correlated using SXI imagery) at 17/2255Z that had an associated Tenflare (2100 sfu), Type IV and Type II radio sweeps (an estimated shock velocity of 1000 km/sec). This region showed growth in the magnetic structure surrounding the dominant lead spot as a delta complex has become evident since yesterday. The penumbral field coverage has changed little over the period. Newly numbered Region 387 (N18E62) produced several minor flares during the interval.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be at moderate to high levels. Region 386 has the potential to produce an isolated major flare.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 17-2100Z to 18-2100Z
The geomagnetic field was at predominantly minor to major storm levels with an isolated period of severe storm conditions seen at high latitudes between 18/0600 and 0900Z. A co-rotating integrated region preceding a recurrent high speed coronal hole stream and is believed to responsible for the storm conditions. The greater than 10 Mev proton flux at geosynchronous orbit reached event threshold at 18/2050Z and due to the recent activity the exact source for this particle event is not certain.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to be at predominantly active to minor storm levels due to a recurrent high speed coronal hole stream. Isolated major storm conditions are possible on day one due to the potential for transient activity. The greater than 10 MeV proton event should remain above threshold level through the first day of the interval.
III. Event Probabilities 19 Jun to 21 Jun
Class M60%60%60%
Class X20%20%20%
Proton99%50%25%
PCAFin progress
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       18 Jun 120
  Predicted   19 Jun-21 Jun  120/120/120
  90 Day Mean        18 Jun 125
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 17 Jun  030/050
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 18 Jun  035/050
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 19 Jun-21 Jun  025/035-020/025-020/025
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 19 Jun to 21 Jun
A. Middle Latitudes
Active40%50%50%
Minor storm30%20%20%
Major-severe storm15%05%05%
B. High Latitudes
Active40%50%50%
Minor storm40%30%30%
Major-severe storm20%10%10%
VII. PLAIN To ensure continued operational monitoring of important energetic particle data, it is necessary to reassign primary/secondary designations for the GOES Space Environment Monitor (SEM) detectors. GOES 11 (113W) will become the primary satellite for protons. The transition from GOES 8 to GOES 11 was scheduled for 18 June, but has been delayed until 19 June. GOES 12 will continue as the primary satellite for magnetometer, X-ray, and electron measurements. GOES 10 (135W) will be the secondary satellite for all SEM sensors - magnetometer, X-ray, and energetic particles. Because of the degraded state of the proton data on GOES-10, its designation as the secondary source for proton data is a short-term solution. More permanent solutions have been identified and are being evaluated. Users will be notified when we define and schedule a permanent fix. Further details can be found at http://www.sec.noaa.gov/GOES.html. MAGNETOMETER On 16 June, it was determined that a scaling problem exists with the Boulder magnetometer instrument. While this problem, and its fix are being investigated the primary instrument for Boulder K-indices has been switched to the Boulder USGS (via Domsat) magnetometer, effective 1500 UTC on 16 June.

All times in UTC

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