Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Another strong solar flare and plasma ejection will lead to a magnetic storm

 The plasma cloud from the coronal mass ejection produced by the M4.2 flare was due to hit Earth on May 11.

On May 10, 2023, high solar activity was observed, mainly due to increased flare potential in region 3296. The most significant event in the region was the M4.2 flare, which led to a coronal mass ejection (CME), expected to hit Earth after an hour 18:00 UTC May 11.

The 10 MeV proton flux peaked before dropping below the storm's S1 level, but still above average, and then increased again due to the May 7 CME pass.

In the 24 hours to 00:30 UTC on May 10, a high level of solar activity was observed, with background X-ray flux still at class C levels. The number of numbered sunspot groups in the visible solar disk increased to nine. Region 3296 (beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration) experienced significant growth and increased magnetic shear, resulting in a distinct delta signature in the sunspot group region.

This region has been very active and has been the source of many M-class flares, including the M6.5 pulse flare at 03:54 UTC on May 9. However, the most notable event from this region was the M4.2 flare, which was distinguished by the well-defined signature of the CME partial halo seen in NASA/SOHO LASCO images. Numerous radio bursts and Type II and IV sweeps were also observed in connection with this activity. Analysis of this last significant CME is ongoing.

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