Moderate M1.3 solar flare from Region 1748. Slight chance for minor geomagnetic storming today

Active Region 1748 erupted with moderate solar flare measuring M1.3 at 21:53 UTC on May 16, 2013. This was another noticeable activity from this region after 4 X-class flares erupted on May 13/14. (X1.7 and X2.8 on May 13th, X3.2 and X1.2 on May 14th)

This region has Beta-Gamma-Delta magnetic configuration and is rotating toward the center of the solar disk into a more geoeffective position. Any future eruption would likely be Earth directed.

NOAA SWPC forecasters estimated 75% chance for M-class event today, and 50% chance for an X-class.  Solar activity is expected to be high with a chance for X-class flares May 17 – 19.

Coronal Mass Ejection from May 15th X1.2 solar flare might present a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field today. There is a slight chance for minor geomagnetic storming at very high latitudes.                                                 

Sunspots

There are currently 10 numbered sunspot groups, active regions, on the solar disk. One to pay most attention to remains Region 1748, still classified with Beta-Gamma-Delta magnetic configuration and capable of strong eruptions. Region 1745 decayed to Beta magnetic field and is now posing little or no threat. It is, however, directly facing Earth today.

All other regions have Beta magnetic configuration. See their positions and sizes on the image below:

1743 – Beta
1744 – Beta
1745 – Beta
1746 – Beta
1747 – Beta
1748 – Beta-Gamma-Delta
1749 – Beta
1750 – Beta
1751 – Beta
1752 – Beta

Featured image: Courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams