Sun News - August 30: Increased Geomagnetic Disturbance

This morning, a geomagnetic disturbance surprises us with a Kp value of 4. The threshold was reached at 8:52 UTC on August 30. This event may increase the chances for auroras in northern regions, particularly for viewers in Tromsø, Norway, and Alaska in the United States. It was dark in these areas during the disturbance. If you witnessed the auroras, please share your photos!

Active region AR3806 in the southeast quadrant triggered moderate solar activity with an isolated M flare. The M1.2 flare erupted at 2:06 UTC on August 30, resulting in a minor R1 radio blackout over a remote area in the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. Since its emergence yesterday, experts have observed a delta in its magnetic configuration, denoting a complicated beta-gamma-delta structure. This complexity indicates the potential for additional M and even X flares. Be sure to join our live stream this morning, Central Time, for discussions about this week's best solar images and the latest news.

Last 24 Hours

Solar activity intensified due to the isolated M flare from the past day. The M1.2 flare, produced by AR3806, caused the R1 (minor) radio blackout in the Pacific and Philippine regions. Between 11 UTC yesterday and 11 UTC today, the sun released ten flares, including nine C flares alongside the M flare.

Active region AR3806 was the chief flaring source, producing four flares: three C flares and the noted M flare. Currently, the sun displays eight sunspot regions facing Earth. A new region, identified as AR3807, has formed in the southeast quadrant. AR3806 has been growing and now displays a complex beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration, indicative of further M and potential X flares. This region has just appeared on the southeast limb and has good potential for activity throughout its transit across the solar disk over the next twelve days. Meanwhile, AR3807 exhibits a beta-gamma configuration while other areas show stable alpha or beta configurations.

Next 24 Hours

- C flares: 99% chance

- M flares: 60% chance

- X flares: 10% chance

Next Expected CME

No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were identified in available coronagraph imagery.

Earlier, SSP wrote about streamer blowout coronal mass ejection.