Skip to main content

Observations

Space Based Imaging

More data: SWAP, EUI

Ground Based Imaging

More: H-α, WL, Ca-IIK, Drawings

Ground Based Radio

More: ARCAS+HSRS, CALLISTO

Space Based Timelines

More data: LYRA, TSI

WDC Sunspot Index

More data: SILSO

Space Weather Services

Detections

Solar Map

Latest Alerts

Presto 2026-04-18

Geomagnetic conditions have reached moderate storm levels at planetary scale with Kp up to 6- (in the period from 6:00 to 9:00 UT), and minor storm levels locally with K_Bel up to 5. This is due to the arrival of the fast solar wind stream from SIDC Coronal Hole 147. The solar wind speed rose to 550 km/s, the interplanetary magnetic field magnitude has reached 17 nT with Bz down to -14 nT. This is a large coronal hole located that has increased in size since the last rotation, we can expect high speeds probably reaching 700 km/s in the coming hours. More disturbed periods are expected in the next 24 hours (up to moderate storm levels).

Forecasts

  • Flare: C-class flares
    (≥50%)
  • Protons: Quiet
  • Geomagnetic: Minor storm
    (A>=30 or K=5)
  • All quiet: False
  • Provisional SSN:

Solar Activity

URSIgram 2026-04-19

A total of 3 numbered sunspot groups were identified on the disk over the past 24 hours. Flaring activity has been very low, no C-class flares detected in the past 24 hours. The most complex region remains SIDC Sunspot Group 825 (NOAA Active Region 4419) currently located at N14W03 with a Beta-Gamma magnetic configuration. Low activity can be expected in the next 24 hours, with C-class falres likely. A CME was observed erupting towards the SE, first by LASCO C2 at 09:00 UTC on 18 February. This CME originated on a filament eruption centered around S40E40, with a speed around 350 km/s and angular of about 60 degrees, the bulk of the material was travelling to the south and will therefore most likely miss the Earth. There is a large equatorial coronal hole with negative polarity in the western hemisphere (SIDC Coronal Hole 147). The greater than 10 MeV proton flux, as measured by GOES-18, was below the 10 pfu threshold level over the past 24 hours and is expected to remain so for the next 24 hours. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux, as measured by GOES-18 and GOES-19 was below the 1000 pfu alert threshold in the past 24 hours. The flux is expected to increase above the alert threshold over the next 24 hours. The 24-hour electron fluence was at normal levels over the past 24 hours and is expected to remain at these levels over the next 24 hours.

Solar Wind

URSIgram 2026-04-19

Geomagnetic conditions have reached moderate storm levels at planetary scale with Kp up to 6- and active levels locally with K_Bel up to 4. More disturbed periods are expected in the next 24 hours as the fast solar wind stream continues to pass. The Earth is still within the fast solar wind stream from SIDC Coronal Hole 147. The solar wind speed rose to close to 600 km/s, interplanetary magnetic field reached 18 nT with Bz down to -14 nT. Currently the speed is around 520 km/s with an interplanetary magnetic field magnitude of about 7 nT. Similar fast solar wind conditions can be expected for the next 24 hours.

Research

News

The (artificially coloured) yellow part of the video shows the Sun in ultraviolet light, recorded by the SWAP telescope on ESA's Proba-2 spacecraft. The greyscale area around it is based on data captured in visible light by the ASPIICS coronagraph on Proba-3.

A New View of the Sun’s Corona

The Belgian-led ASPIICS coronagraph aboard ESA’s Proba-3 mission reveals a dynamic birthplace of the solar wind. Observations made by the ASPIICS coronagraph reveal a world of small-scale activity in the Sun’s inner corona, according to a new study led by the Royal Observatory of Belgium.
ComboCMEX1

A wimp and a bully

Two earth-directed coronal mass ejections surprised space weather forecasters with their arrival time and geomagnetic impact. The first one passed almost unnoticeable, the second one eventually resulted in a strong geomagnetic storm.
X1_AIA131

X-class flare!

NOAA 4405 produced an X-class flare early on 30 March. The associated CME arrived around noon on 1 April. There's no chance on aurora over Belgium tonight. ***(UPDATED 2)***
 

Activities

Ground Observations

The SIDC monitors the level of solar activity from the photosphere to the corona with ground based instruments located in Uccle and Humain.

Read more

Space Instruments

To avoid the disturbing or blocking effect of the Earth atmosphere, EUV observations of the solar corona need to be made from space...

Read more

Space Weather & Climate

We monitor and forecast solar variability to provide information services  to society and industry about the influence of space weather and climate.

Read more

Data Processing & Distribution

Data processing is necessary to extract relevant information for research studies, whereas data distribution and visualization are part of ROB open data policy.

Read more

Modeling

Modelling of Solar phenomena allows scientists to test theories and to predict Space Weather phenomena and their impact on Earth.

Read more

 

Supporting Research

The SIDC shares and expands its expertise through interaction with both upcoming and experienced researchers.

Read more