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 2025-05-17

The global geomagnetic conditions have escalated to moderate storm levels (NOAA Kp 6+ ) between 00:00 and 03:00 UTC on May 17 and are currently at unsettled levels (NOAA Kp 3). The geomagnetic conditions locally have reached active conditions (K BEL 4) between 00:00 and 08:00 UTC on May 17. The geomagnetic storm was most likely the result of a glancing blow arrival, associated with the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) observed around 23:00 UTC on May 12. Further minor to moderate storm conditions are possible in the upcoming hours.

CACTus Halo 2025-05-16

A halo or partial-halo CME was detected with the following characteristics: t0 | dt0| pa | da | v | dv | minv| maxv| 2025-05-13T15:00:07.592 | 6.999722222222222 | 43 | 160 | 257 | 51 | 149 | 343 t0: onset time, earliest indication of liftoff dt0: duration of liftoff (hours) pa: principal angle, counterclockwise from North (degrees) da: angular width of the CME (degrees), v: median velocity (km/s) dv: variation (1 sigma) of velocity over the width of the CME mindv: lowest velocity detected within the CME maxdv: highest velocity detected within the CME

Forecasts

  • Flare: C-class flares
    (≥50%)
  • Protons: Quiet
  • Geomagnetic: Quiet
    (A<20 and K<4)
  • All quiet: False
  • Provisional SSN:

Solar Activity

URSIgram 2025-05-19

Solar flaring activity over the last 24 hours has been moderate, with one M-class flare and a few C-class flares. The strongest flare was an M3.2 flare peaking at 08:21 UTC on May 19, from beyond the east limb. There are currently five numbered active regions on the solar disk. The most complex one is SIDC Sunspot Group 496 (NOAA Active Region 4087, magnetic type beta-delta). SIDC Sunspot Group 491 has rotated on disk from the east limb, in the southeast quadrant. The solar flaring activity is expected to be low over the next 24 hours, with C-class flares expected and a small chance for M-class flares. A wide Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), SIDC CME 500, was observed in LASCO/C2 and LASCO/C3 coronagraph imagery starting from 00:24 UTC on May 19, lifting off the northwest quadrant. The CME is most likely associated with a long filament eruption observed in SDO/AIA 304 data around 21:48 UTC on May 18 near the central meridian, in mid-latitude northern hemisphere. A possible glancing blow may arrive at Earth starting from the UTC evening of May 22. No other Earth-directed CMEs were observed in the available coronagraph imagery. The elongated, mid-latitude, positive polarity coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 104) continues to cross the central meridian since May 15. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was below the 10 pfu threshold 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 over the 1000 pfu threshold between 16:20 UTC on May 18 and 00:15 UTC on May 19. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux measured by GOES 19 was mostly below the 1000 pfu threshold over the past 24 hours. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to be above the 1000 pfu threshold over the next 24 hours. The 24-hour electron fluence is presently at normal levels but is expected to gradually increase over the next 24 hours.

Solar Wind

URSIgram 2025-05-19

Geomagnetic conditions globally reached active levels (NOAA Kp 4) between 15:00 UTC and 21:00 UTC on May 18. Geomagnetic conditions locally were at unsettled levels (K BEL 3), reaching active levels between 18:00 UTC and 19:00 UTC on May 18. Mostly unsettled to active levels, with a small chance for isolated minor storm intervals (NOAA Kp 3 to 5, K BEL 3 to 5), are expected over the next 24 hours, under the continuous influence of the high-speed stream from the southern, positive polarity coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 104). The solar wind conditions (ACE and DSCOVR) were enhanced during the past 24 hours, most likely due to influence of the high-speed stream from the southern, positive polarity coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 104). The solar wind speed reached 680 km/s and has gradually decreased to around 530 km/s. The interplanetary magnetic field values reached 10 nT and has gradually decreased to 6 nT. The Bz component ranged between -7 nT and 9 nT. The interplanetary magnetic field angle phi was predominantly in the positive sector. Further enhancements in the solar wind conditions may be expected over the next 24 hours, under the continuous influence of the high-speed stream from the southern, positive polarity coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 104).

Research

News

SUVI LASCO

Spectacular eruption of a long filament

A very long filament erupted late on 12 May. The associated coronal mass ejection may have delivered a glancing blow late on 16 May.
X2 AIA094

Another day, another X-class flare!

The trailing portion of NOAA 4087 has been the source of several strong solar flares today, including an X2.7 flare.
SUVI131

Size doesn't matter!...

Small sunspot group NOAA 4086 was the source of a surprize X1.2 flare on 13 May.
 

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