Hello! It's been an interesting 24 hours. We had 2 big parting X-flares from AR3664 (X8.79 and X3.48), plus another one from the new, unnamed AR coming over the eastern limb (X2.99). *None of these flares pose CME threats*.
The solar activity has really ramped up over the last week and a half. We're seeing lots of unstable sunspots and growth, and lots of big flares. As expected with Solar Max. To me, this is all pretty exciting as we wait years for this kind of activity and chance for auroras.
Let's take a quick look at the flares: https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/assets/img/latest/mpeg/latest_512_0131.mp4
We have sunspot AR3679 on the eastern side that recently became classified as β-γ-δ – Beta-Gamma-Delta: (A sunspot group with a beta-gamma magnetic configuration but contains one (or more) delta sunspots). Keep an eye on this one as it could grow-up in the days ahead. Lots of magnetic potential surrounding it, and imo growth seems to increase as spots like this point toward earth's pull.
Then we have the new, unnamed AR just coming around the eastern limb. It produced the X2.99 from earlier and looks big, and like it is coming in hot.
Always good to keep an eye on the farside. Here's a look at the GONG farside map, below: https://stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov/beacon/beacon_farside.shtml
I tried to point out which AR's we are seeing on the graph below. (E: Updated image as AR3679 was pointed to the wrong spot. Added AR3674).
The SDO farside map shows the strong active region (SAR) that produced the X2.99 on the eastern limb. http://jsoc.stanford.edu/data/farside/
Keep a look out, fellow Watchers. -NWS
Bravo. Very well done. Hell of an update nature. I like your read on it. I had almost expected a lull when the 3676 hit the brakes and all regions took a little step back, but I had to take my own advice and take it as it comes. Fun to speculate. At the very least we can say the watch continues. The CME production is bonkers.
Also I am glad you included the farside tools. I think I underestimated how much of a fan club 3664 has. Seems like the groupies will want to keep in touch. Lol.
I'm so happy you guys, this is amazing.