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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

None

No alerts since: 2025-04-16

Forecasts

  • Flare: M-class flares
    (≥50%)
  • Protons: Quiet
  • Geomagnetic: Active conditions
    (A>=20 or K=4)
  • All quiet: False
  • Provisional SSN: 131

Solar Activity

URSIgram 2025-04-21

A total of 7 numbered sunspot groups were identified on the disk over the past 24 hours. SIDC Sunspot Group 473 (NOAA Active Region 4062) currently located at S03W04 is the most complex one, with a Beta-Gamma magnetic configuration, it was stable over the past 24 hours. The largest flare was a C4.3 flare (SIDC Flare 4161) peaking on April 20 at 17:18 UTC, which was produced by SIDC Sunspot Group 475 (NOAA Active Region 4063). Solar flaring activity is expected to be low over the next 24 hours, with C-class flares very likely and a chance for M-class flares. A CME was seen first at 21:48 UTC on April 20 by LASCO C2. It originated from a filament eruption close to the NW limb, with angular width around 70 degrees, it is not expected to arrive to the Earth. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in the available coronagraph imagery in the last 24 hours. There is a large positive polarity coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 104) covering a large area of the southern hemisphere.This is a recurrent coronal hole, in the previous rotation it had a more developed equatorial extension. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was below the threshold level over the past 24 hours. It is expected to remain below the threshold level over the next 24 hours. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux measured by GOES 18 was reaching threshold values between 21:00 UTC and 22:00 UTC on April 20. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux measured by GOES 19 was below the threshold over the past 24 hours. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to remain below the threshold over the next 24 hours. The 24-hour electron fluence is presently at normal levels and is expected to remain so over the next 24 hours.

Solar Wind

URSIgram 2025-04-21

Geomagnetic conditions have reached active levels both locally and planetary (K_Bel and Kp up to 4). Due to the effect of the high speed solar wind stream, minor storm levels can be expected (K up to 5), with moderate storms possible (K up to 6). The Earth is under the influence of a high speed solar wind stream from the large positive polarity coronal hole in the southern hemisphere (SIDC Coronal Hole 104). The solar wind speed has reached 650 km/s (measured by ACE) and is still increasing, the interplanetary magnetic field has reached 19 nT (currently around 12 nT) with Bz down to -13 nT (currently positive).During the previous solar rotation, this same coronal hole produced solar wind speeds approaching 900 km/s at Earth. However, this time the coronal hole's equatorial extension is less developed, which may result in slightly lower wind speeds. Nonetheless, the solar wind speed is expected to be high in the next 24 hours.

Research

News

A group of people posing for a photo

Solar Orbiter Workshop at the SIDC

On 8, 9 and 10 April 2025, the SIDC welcomed 85 leading solar physicists, in person and online, to participate in an international workshop on the future of the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter mission.

 

GONG

Filament eruptions

On 12 and 13 April, some filaments erupted and were associated with earth-directed coronal mass ejections.
LASCO SWAP

Far side solar eruptions

A complex eruption took place on the Sun's far side early on 5 April.
 

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.

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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...

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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.

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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.

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Modeling

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

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Supporting Research

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

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