M1.6 solar flare erupted at western limb
Impulsive M1.6 solar flare erupted from the Active Region 1692 on western limb. Moderate event started at 21:58 UTC and reached peak of M1.6 at 22:04 UTC.
Active Region 1692 erupted earlier on March 21, 2013, at 18:22 UTC with C3 solar flare. Solar flare activity has been low to moderate and was expected to decline as sunspot groups started to disappear behind the western limb of the sun. NOAA/SWPC forecasters estimated only 10% chances for M-class event today.
The solar wind speed was moderate and geomagnetic conditions reached unsettled levels. High-frequency radio communications are presently at normal background. NOAA/SWPC issued R1 or Minor Radio Blackout warning. Short-wave radio fadeouts are possible in the coming hours.
Current conditions
Solar wind
speed: 411.3 km/sec
density: 1.0 protons/cm3
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 1 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 4 unsettled
Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 6.4 nT
Bz: 5.5 nT north
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