Solar wind
speed: 386.9 km/sec
density: 11.8 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0016 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B3 2251 UT Nov08
24-hr: C1 0751 UT Nov08
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 0020 UT

INCOMING SOLAR WIND STREAM: A minor stream of solar wind is approaching Earth, and it could cause polar geomagnetic unrest when it arrives on Nov. 8th or 9th.
The gaseous material is flowing from an equatorial hole in the sun's atmosphere. Auroras could appear around the Arctic Circle as the planetary K-index reaches a value of 3 or 4.

Solar wind
speed: 357.2 km/sec
density: 3.6 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1000 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B2 0921 UT Nov09
24-hr: B5 0214 UT Nov09
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1005 UT

Solar wind
speed: 434.3 km/sec
density: 7.0 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0640 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B6 0124 UT Nov10
24-hr: M2 1702 UT Nov09
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 0645 UT

HIDDEN SUNSPOT TOUCHES EARTH: A sunspot hiding behind the sun's northwestern limb touched Earth yesterday. Unseen by NASA satellites, the sunspot erupted on Nov. 9th (1701 UT), producing an M2-class solar flare.

Even though the flare was mostly eclipsed by the edge of the sun, it still managed to cause a shortwave radio blackout over South America. The same explosion also hurled a bright CME into space. The CME will not hit Earth.

Solar wind
speed: 374.2 km/sec
density: 6.7 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1549 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B1 1009 UT Nov11
24-hr: B3 0423 UT Nov11
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1555 UT

THE FORECAST CALLS FOR QUIET: There are three sunspots on the sun today, but all three have stable magnetic fields that pose little threat for strong solar flares. Solar activity is low and likely to remain so for the next 24 to 48 hours.

Solar wind
speed: 385.0 km/sec
density: 4.1 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0949 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: A9 0532 UT Nov12
24-hr: B4 1828 UT Nov11
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 0955 UT

FARSIDE SOLAR ACTIVITY: Space weather near Earth is calm, but the sun is not quiet. This week, SOHO coronagraphs have observed multiple CMEs billowing over the western edge of the sun. The source is a farside sunspot group, probably the same one that produced a strong M2-class solar flare on Nov. 9th. Earth is not in the line of fire, for now.

Solar wind
speed: 342.9 km/sec
density: 5.7 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1515 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B1 1507 UT Nov13
24-hr: C1 0843 UT Nov13
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1520 UT

QUIET WITH A CHANCE OF FLARES: Solar activity is low. However, sunspot AR2894 has developed an unstable 'beta-gamma' magnetic field that could erupt this weekend. NOAA forecasters estimate a 5% chance of M-class flares during the next 24 hours.

Solar wind
speed: 312.8 km/sec
density: 13.4 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1440 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B1 1231 UT Nov14
24-hr: B1 1507 UT Nov13
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1445 UT

Solar wind
speed: 313.0 km/sec
density: 15.7 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 0241 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B1 0100 UT Nov15
24-hr: B1 1845 UT Nov14
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 0245 UT

Solar wind
speed: 352.6 km/sec
density: 15.1 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1546 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B2 1005 UT Nov15
24-hr: B2 1005 UT Nov15
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1550 UT

A DENSE STREAM OF SOLAR WIND: Unexpectedly, Earth is entering a slow-moving but dense stream of solar wind on Nov. 15th. Relatively strong magnetic fields in the stream are opening a crack in Earth's magnetosphere, setting the stage for possible Arctic auroras.

Solar wind
speed: 601.7 km/sec
density: 6.8 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1727 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B1 1503 UT Nov16
24-hr: B2 0748 UT Nov16
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1730 UT

LEONID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is entering a stream of debris from Comet Tempel-Tuttle, source of the annual Leonid meteor shower. In some years, dense ribbons of comet dust produce Leonid meteor storms. 2021 is not a storm year. Forecasters expect no more than 10 to 15 meteors per hour when the shower peaks on Nov. 17th.

Solar wind
speed: 591.7 km/sec
density: 1.9 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1510 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B2 1505 UT Nov17
24-hr: B2 0453 UT Nov17
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1515 UT

THE SOLAR WIND IS BLOWING: Earth is inside a stream of solar wind flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere. With wind speeds near 600 km/s, the stream is causing minor geomagnetic unrest around the Arctic Circle. Polar auroras are likely on Nov. 17th.

Solar wind
speed: 497.9 km/sec
density: 6.9 protons/cm3
more data: ACE, DSCOVR
Updated: Today at 1932 UT

X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B1 1546 UT Nov18
24-hr: B1 1546 UT Nov18
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1935 UT

THE NEXT SOLAR WIND STREAM: Earth is exiting one solar wind stream. Another is on the way. Flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere, the gaseous material is due to arrive on Nov 21-22. NOAA forecasters say that a corotating interaction region (CIR) traveling just ahead of the stream could spark geomagnetic activity and Arctic auroras on Nov. 20th.