Geomagnetic Storm and Solar Wind Activity Report

Updated Mar 09 2200 UTC
Updated Mar 09 2200 UTC

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 069 Issued at 2200Z on 09 Mar 2012



IA.  Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from  08/2100Z

to 09/2100Z:  Solar activity reached high levels today.  Region 1429

(N18W13) produced an M6 flare at 09/0353Z.  Associated with this

event was Type II (1285 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps along with a

full halo CME first seen in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery at 09/0426Z.  The

CME had an estimated plane-of-sky speed of 850 km/s in STEREO B COR2

imagery.  Separation and slight decay within the intermediate area

was observed in Region 1429, however it still remained a large Ekc

spot group with a Beta-Gamma-Delta magnetic configuration.  A new

spot group rotated onto the NE limb and was numbered Region 1432

(N18E69).  This new region is too close to the limb to accurately

determine the spot and magnetic classification, however it produced

a C9 flare at 09/2025Z.



IB.  Solar Activity Forecast:  Solar activity is expected to continue

at low to moderate levels with a chance for X-class activity from

Region 1429 for the next three days (10 - 12 March).



IIA.  Geophysical Activity Summary 08/2100Z to 09/2100Z:

The geomagnetic field was at active to severe storm conditions due to

continued activity from the sheath region associated with the 07

March CME.  At approximately 09/0049Z, the Bz component of the

interplanetary magnetic field started to rotate towards a more

magnetically connected polarity.  Bz continued to be negative for

several hours reaching values near -17 nT with an approximate solar

wind speed over 600 km/s.  The geomagnetic field responded with

major to severe storm periods during the periods 09/0300 - 1500Z. 

Solar wind remained elevated around 600 km/s by the end of the

period.  The greater than 10 MeV proton event that began at 07/0510Z

is ongoing.  The greater than 100 MeV proton event that began at

07/0405 is ongoing.



IIB.  Geophysical Activity Forecast:  The geomagnetic field is

expected to be under the influence of the current CME through early

on day 1.  Unsettled to active conditions, with isolated minor storm

periods, are possible is expected as the CME continues to wane. 

Approximately early to mid-day on day 2 (11 March), the CME

associated with todays M-6 flare is expected to become

geoeffective.  Active to severe storm periods are expected (Kp 4 -

7) with this event.  Unsettled to active conditions with minor storm

periods possible is expected on day 3 (12 March) as conditions are

expected to slowly dissipate.

Solar Flare 2011 Images

A solar flare erupted from the sun in an impressive display captured by NASA cameras, but scientists say the medium-size event will have a minimal impact, if any, on earth.

The flare peaked early Tuesday and created a large cloud that appeared to cover almost half the surface of the sun, NASA said. A cloud of charged particles erupted from the sun’s outer atmosphere and was expected to pass by earth late yesterday or early today, causing a minor disruption to earth’s magnetic field, according to the National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colo.

“This wasn’t really such a big event,’’ said Michael Hesse, chief of the space weather laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. “It was spectacular to watch, but not big in terms of hazards to the earth.’’

The cloud may cause brief interruptions to high-frequency radio communications, said Joe Kunches, a space scientist at the weather prediction center. Global positioning devices also may make tiny errors, he said.

The aurora borealis also may be more visible today or tomorrow night, he said.

Images of the flare were recorded by the Solar Dynamics Observatory, an orbiting satellite. The photos and video were the most spectacular that the satellite has captured since its launch last year