Stargazing The Sun today - 9 July 2017 - nice spot group

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Sunspot AR2665 was noted as the largest spot group observed in some time, with its largest spot comparable in size to Jupiter. Users discussed challenges in achieving sharp manual focus due to eyesight issues and atmospheric conditions affecting image clarity. The sunspot was active and produced a significant M2.4 solar flare on July 14, 2017, leading to geomagnetic storm predictions and potential aurora activity. As the sunspot rotated, it was renamed region 2670, but its activity diminished significantly, showing only two spots and extensive faculae, indicating decay. Overall, the discussion highlighted the excitement around solar observations and the challenges faced by amateur astronomers.
  • #31
Oh, awesome - this will help with focus and give something else to look at during partial.
 
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  • #32
russ_watters said:
Oh, awesome - this will help with focus and give something else to look at during partial.
Indeed!
 
  • #33
Stavros Kiri said:
Also, minor G1 geomagnetic storm is expected to reach Earth tomorrow Thu, due to the initial flare last Mon.

actually, no, that isn't the reason :smile:
the predicted auroral activity for the 16th and 17th will be due to the huge coronal hole that became geo-effective 2-3 days ago

ch.JPG
cheers
Dave
 
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  • #34
davenn said:
actually, no, that isn't the reason :smile:
the predicted auroral activity for the 16th and 17th will be due to the huge coronal hole that became geo-effective 2-3 days ago ...
...
You're right of course. My mistake. Thanks for correcting.

"
logo.png

Coronal hole faces Earth

Monday, 14 August 2017 - 18:56 UTC

294-header.jpg


A southern extension of the northern hemisphere polar coronal hole is now facing Earth. It extended far enough towards the south to trigger our automated coronal hole detection system.

It is hard to say how much of the coronal hole solar wind stream is going to arrive at Earth but the NOAA SWPC believes we will see the solar wind stream at our planet as they issued a minor G1 geomagnetic storm watch for this Thursday which would be 17 August, 2017."

Source: https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/news/view/294/20170814-coronal-hole-faces-earth

The solar wind is expected to arrive today Thu Aug. 17, 2017. To monitor and for updates see also:
https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
 
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  • #35
Today:
G1 - Minor geomagnetic storm
Observed Kp: 5+ (earlier today) - currently 4

[Predicted Kp: 5, or 5+]
(Today Thu Aug 17, 2017)

https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/auroral-activity/the-kp-index

https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/
 
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  • #36
Another (2nd) sun spot group has just rotated into view (right on time for the eclipse), region 2672. So currently there are two groups: 2671, 2672.
SDO_HMIIF_512.jpg


That and more might make the eclipse today more interesting! For more details see e.g.

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/u-s-solar-eclipse-of-aug-21-2017.866521/page-15#post-5825228

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/u-s-solar-eclipse-of-aug-21-2017.866521/page-16#post-5825230

Note: further updates of solar activity will continue on a separate thread, coming up.
 
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  • #37
Acquired this image yesterday during equipment check-out for today (Monday). IIRC, 800/8, 1/125s ISO 200, using an ND 6 filter.

aDSC_8659_zpskpxgckov.jpg
 
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