Space Weather This Week: 10/27/2011 – 11/02/2011

Solar Activity

Solar activity was at low to moderate levels, with occurrences of several C-class flares and three M class flares (see the list below). Quite a few slow to moderate CMEs were detected emanating from different regions of the Sun (some of them are listed below) throughout this week.

Flares (M class and above):

M1.1 from Active Region 11339 atΒ 2011-10-31, 15:08:00 Β UTC
M1.4 from Active Region 11339 at 2011-10-31, 18:08:00 UTC
M1.2 from Active Region 11314 at 2011-10-31, 18:33:00 UTC

Here is a look at the full Sun from 10/27 to 11/02 in the 171 Angstrom wavelength channel of SDO

[mejsvideo src=”https://www.thesuntoday.orgvideo/2011_10_27_08_00_00_2011_11_02_08_02_24_AIA_171-hq.mp4″ width=”480″ height=”270″]

Earth directed CMEs (> 500 km/s):

First observed on 2011-10-27 at 12:24 UTC in the NE (upper right). The CME was observed in STEREO A/B and SOHO/LASCO. The estimated speed is 730 km/s with an angular width of 100 degrees.

Here is a look at the outer corona from 10/26 to 11/02. There are several CMEs including the one listed above.
[mejsvideo src=”https://www.thesuntoday.orgvideo/2011_10_26_08_24_07_2011_11_02_07_24_05_LASCO_C3__LASCO_C2-hq.mp4″ width=”480″ height=”270″]

Geomagnetic Activity

Geomagnetic activity was at low to unsettled levels, with the Kp index (ranging 0-9)

Outlook for November 2-8, 2011

Minor geomagnetic activity is possible due to solar wind streams. Sunspot group, AR11339, has the potential for increased activity as it moves onto the Earth facing solar disk.

resources: NASA GSFC Space Weather Laboratory, NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and Max millenium Chief Observer