New Source: EarthSky Updates on Your Cosmos & World

 

EarthSky

Updates on your cosmos and world

Sun activity: CME strikes Earth as more leave the sun

Posted by

C. Alex Young

and

Raúl Cortés

and

Armando Caussade

May 10, 2023

Sun activity for May 9-10, 2023. The high activity showed two M flares, an M4.2 and M5, followed by a halo CME from the M4.2 and the particles. This was observed first in SDO 131 angstrom imagery then SOHO LASCO C2 imagery. Image via SDO, SOHO, and jhelioviwer.

Sun activity for May 10, 2023: CME strikes Earth as more leave the sun

Today’s top news: The awaited coronal mass ejection (CME) from May 7, struck Earth at 23:59 UTC on May 9, 2023. A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm followed. NOAA forecasters expect conditions for up to a G2 (moderate) geomagnetic activity today into the early hours of May 11. This may bring auroral displays to the northern US. Good luck aurora chasers. Meanwhile, sun activity remains high with an M4.2 flare followed by an M5 from AR3296 at the end of May 9. A full hallo” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>full halo CME was associated with the M4.2. This event produced a solar particle burst accelerated by its shock wave. AR3296 developed a delta region. This combined with its anti-Hale nature gives a strong indication for more activity including a possible X flare. Stay tuned to see if AR3296 lives up to its full potential.

Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high with an M4.2 and an M5 flare. AR3296 was the main flare producer with the two M flares and 9 of the 10 C flares. The largest event, an M5 at 20:52 UTC on May 9 followed an M4.2 flare at 18:20 UTC. The M4.2 was the more notable event because it also brought a full halo CME and a particle event accelerated by the CME shock wave. The sun has nine labeled active regions including the addition of four newcomers now labeled AR3300, AR3301, AR3302, and AR3203.

Next 24 hours: The forecast is a 99% chance for C flares, a 65% chance for M flares, and a 20% chance for X flares.

Next expected CME: As mentioned above, the M4.2 flare exploded by AR3296 which presented a full hallo event is under detailed modeling and analysis to determine any component coming our way. Enlil model suggest arrival by May 11-12 but we need to wait for confirmation. Besides this, no other coronal mass ejection (CME) Earth-oriented was observed on available imagery.

Current geomagnetic activity: Quiet at the time of this writing (11 UTC May 9) but an active level was observed late yesterday May 9 and early today May 10 with a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm level. Threshold reached at 12:59 UTC on May 9 and 03:17 UTC on May 10. A G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm level is anticipated later on today. The present conditions are due to a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on May 7. These conditions may be extended into May 11 going up to a G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm, should the CME produced by the M4.2 on May 9 is confirmed. Alert for aurora watchers.

May 10, 2023 NOAA forecasters issued an aurora alert for today May 10, 2023. We already had G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm level earlier today. Did you see the auroras? More are coming. Aurora chaser get ready. Image via NOAA.

This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of (2 UTC on May 10, 2023). Original image, without labels, via NASA SDO. Courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, with labeling by EarthSky. Today’s sun is posted by Armando Caussade. Why are east and west on the sun reversed?

Sun activity for May 9, 2023: All eyes are on sunspot AR3296

Today’s top news: Sunspot AR3296 has single-handedly brought sun activity to a high level, with M6.5, M2.3, M1.4 and M1.2 flares in the past day. The region does not currently have a delta region, that is, a region indicating a likelihood for M or X flares. But it still carries its anti-Hale feature, a reversed magnetic polarity (read about Hale’s Law here). And it has some magnetic complexity overall. Plus, it has increased in activity over the past 24 hours! It produced the four M flares, plus 16 of a total of 19 C flares observed over the past day. All of this gives us a force to reckon with.
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is high due to four M flares, including one flare stronger than M5. This largest event was an M6.5 from AR3296 at 3:54 UTC on May 9, 2023. The other M flares were, an M2.3 at 20:25 UTC on May 8, an M1.2 at 6:13 UTC on May 9, and an M1.4 at 10:20 UTC on May 9. All four M flares came from sunspot region AR3296. Each M flare produced its correspondent radio blackout and the largest flare produced an R2 (moderate) radio blackout affecting an area over Taiwan and the Philippine Sea. AR3296 produced 20 of the 23 flares observed in the past day (19 C flares and 4 M flares). The sun has five Earth-facing sunspot regions today.
Next 24 hours: The forecast is a 99% chance for C flares, a 55% chance for M flares, and a 20% chance for X flares.
Next expected CME: The partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) we discussed yesterday, caused by an M1 flare occurring late on May 7 (produced by AR3296) is coming our way. It should arrive at Earth late on May 10. AR3296 has also spewed out several other CMEs, and we await modeling and analysis to determine any Earth-directed components.
Current geomagnetic activity: Quiet at the time of this writing (11 UTC May 9). Quiet to unsettled activity is expected during the rest of the day with chances for an isolated active level. A G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm is still possible due to fast solar wind. Conditions for a G1 (minor) are possible late tomorrow with the arrival of a CME that left the sun on May 7 combined with the influence of fast solar wind from a coronal hole.

Sun activity for May 8-9, 2023. AR3296 has produced a great deal of eruptive activity over the past 24 hours, including an M6.5 flare. The image is SDO 131 angstroms overlaid on a negative image of SDO 171 angstroms. Image via SDO and jhelioviewer.

May 8, 2023. An M2.3 flare exploded by sunspot AR3296 at 15:34 UTC on May 8, 2023. AIA 131 Angstroms. Image via SDO.

May 9, 2023. Sunspot AR3296 has been quite active during the past day. Flares, 20 among Ms and Cs, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), show light, you name it. AIA 304 Angstroms. Image via SDO.

May 9, 2023. Sunspot active region AR3296 has been very active during the past day. It blasted 20 flares, 4 of them Ms. The largest was an M6.5 exploded at 03:54 on May 9, 2023. Composite of AIA 304 and AIA 131 Angstroms. Image via SDO.

Sun activity for May 8, 2023: Storming has started. More CMEs on the way

Today’s top news: Sun activity is moderate, and there’s been activity both on the sun and at Earth. A coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth yesterday, causing geomagnetic storming. It struck at around 15:50 UTC on May 7 and caused a minor (G1) storm as May 8 began. It wasn’t the expected G2 storm. But it’s not over yet! We’re currently awaiting more CMEs at Earth and more geomagnetic activity over the next two to three days. And – as Earth was being buffeted late yesterday and early today by the CME (which is a large expulsions of solar plasma and magnetic fields from the sun) – the sun itself was getting busy with a long-duration M1.6 flare from AR3296 … and another CME directed our way. We await further analysis of the event. But all signs point to the possibility that the next few days will be exciting for aurora-watchers, here on Earth. Plus! The excitement on the sun might not be over. Both AR3296 and AR3297 have developed delta regions – a sign of more activity to come. Clear skies to all the aurora-watchers. Visit this post again tomorrow, for more fun sun news!
Last 24 hours: Sun activity is moderate due to two M flares and 10 C flares. The largest event was an M1.6/ M1.5 flare from AR3296 at 22:53 UTC on May 7, 2023. The other M flare, an M1.5 – and eight of the C flares – were from AR3296. The M flares registered as two events, but they were part of a single long-duration event. Long-duration events are typically associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). This long-duration event has an associated halo-CME, meaning that it appears to be heading directly for Earth. The sun has five Earth-facing sunspot regions.
Next 24 hours: The forecast is a 99% chance for C flares, a 55% chance for M flares, and a 15% chance for X flares.
Next expected CME: The long-duration M1.6 flare from AR3296 appears to have an associated halo-CME headed directly at Earth. We await further analysis from space weather experts for additional details. No other Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available imagery during the last day.
Current geomagnetic activity: Earth’s magnetic field is quiet at this writing (11 UTC, May 8). It is anticipated to reach strong (G3) geomagnetic storm levels on May 8, minor (G1) geomagnetic storm levels on May 9, and active levels on May 10, 2023. This expected activity is due to the influence of fast solar wind from two coronal holes combined with Earth-directed CME activity observed between May 4 through May 5, 2023.

Sun activity for May 7-8, 2023. This is a composite image showing the sun (center) and its surrounding environment. It shows sunspot region AR3296 releasing a long-duration M flare, with dimming around the site of the flare, seen in SDO 193 angstroms imagery. The CME was seen leaving the sun in LASCO C2 difference images (that is, images that are created by taking the difference between sequential images). Image via SDO, SOHO/LASCO and jhelioviewer

Sun activity for May 7-8, 2023. AR3296 released a long duration M1.6 flare with a visible dimming in SDO 193 angstroms around the area. This is an indication of material erupting from the site or a CME which is usual for a long duration event. Image via LSMAL and SDO.

The sun in recent days

This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 4 UTC on May 9, 2023. Original image, without labels, via NASA/ SDO. Courtesy of NASA/ SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, with labeling by EarthSky.

This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 5 UTC on May 8, 2023. Original image, without labels, via NASA/ SDO. Courtesy of NASA/ SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, with labeling by EarthSky.

This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 7 UTC on May 7, 2023. Original image, without labels, via NASA/ SDO. Courtesy of NASA/ SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, with labeling by EarthSky.

This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 5 UTC on May 6, 2023. Original image, without labels, via NASA/ SDO. Courtesy of NASA/ SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, with labeling by EarthSky.

This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 4 UTC on May 5, 2023. Original image, without labels, via NASA/ SDO. Courtesy of NASA/ SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, with labeling by EarthSky.

This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 0 UTC on May 4, 2023. Original image, without labels, via NASA/ SDO. Courtesy of NASA/ SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, with labeling by EarthSky.

This image shows sun activity – with the most active regions labeled – as of 2 UTC on May 3, 2023. Original image, without labels, via NASA/ SDO. Courtesy of NASA/ SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, with labeling by EarthSky.

More sun images from our community

We invite you all to send us your beautiful recent photos of sunspots and auroras. Naturally, we love receiving your photos! And to those of you who’ve already posted a photo to our community page, thank you.

Submit photos here

View community photos here

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Mario Rana in Hampton, Virginia, captured this filtered image on May 8, 2023. Mario wrote: “Hydrogen-alpha image of the sun featuring active regions AR3296 and AR3297.” Thank you, Mario!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Patricio León in Santiago, Chile, captured this filtered image of the sun on May 8, 2023. Patricio wrote: “Big complex sunspot AR3297 sits dead center on the sun’s face, staring us with sort of eyes inside its nucleus. Measuring about 3 x 2.5 earths, AR3297 can be picked unaided eye (protected always) with no difficulty.” Thank you, Patricio!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | David Hoskin in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, captured this filtered view of the sun on May 7, 2023. David wrote: “This hydrogen alpha image shows the five active sunspot groups that were visible today. Several short filaments are visible as well as plage surrounding the sunspots. AR3297 has a prominent light bridge that spans the umbra and may indicate sunspot decay.” Thank you, David!

Help! EarthSky needs your support to continue. Our yearly crowd-funding campaign is going on now. Donate here.

Bottom line: Sun activity for May 9, 2023, is high thanks to continued eruptive flaring from AR3296. This includes a CME heading our way and an M6.5 solar flare.

TwitterFacebookPinterestBufferShare

55.2k

SHARES

Posted 

May 10, 2023

 in 

Sun

C. Alex Young

VIEW ARTICLES

About the Author:

C. Alex Young is a solar astrophysicist studying the Sun and space weather. Alex is passionate about sharing science with diverse audiences. This led him to start The Sun Today with his designer wife, Linda. First through Facebook and Twitter then adding an extensive website thesuntoday.org, the two work together to engage the public about the Sun and its role in our solar system. Alex led national engagement efforts for the 2017 total solar eclipse. He is the Associate Director for Science in the Heliophysics Science Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Raúl Cortés

VIEW ARTICLES

About the Author:

Raúl Cortés studied engineering at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León in Monterrey, Mexico, obtained a scholarship to continue his studies in Japan and after returning to Monterrey he got credits on MBA from the Graduate School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Faculty. He became a teacher at the University UANL teaching Math and Physics and dedicated the rest of his professional career to serve in engineering areas for USA, Japan and Germany based corporations. His passion for the skies go back to when he was a child, always intrigued about the stars and constellations and reading and researching about the matter. From 2010 on, he dedicated his attention to photographing the stars, constellations, the moon and the sun. Raúl's work on his photography has been published and posted on the ESC as well as in other platforms and has gained attention to be published by local Monterrey newspapers.

Armando Caussade

VIEW ARTICLES

About the Author:

Armando is well known as an astronomy educator, after 30+ years leading extensive initiatives of public outreach and 10+ years teaching in colleges. As one of only a handful of Puerto Rican science communicators during Comet Halley's last visit, he assumed a pioneering role starting in 1985 when science was just beginning to enter the local mindset; over time his work brought meaningful change to the culture, inspiring people to pursue interests in science and technology. His affiliations include Ana G. Méndez University–Cupey, where in 2014 he spearheaded an 8-course extension program focusing on observational astronomy, the first ever in the island.