Long duration M1.2 solar flare erupts beyond eastern limb

Active region located just beyond the East limb produced a long duration M1.2 solar flare peaking at 18:11 UTC today. The event started 17:06 and ended at 18:26 UTC.

This region produced two low level C-class flares before the M1.2 today. It will become fully visible from our planet in the coming days.

Sunspots

There are currently 2 numbered sunspot regions on the Earth side of the Sun. 

Region 2293 (N05W38, Dao/beta) produced one C-class solar flare during last 24 hours, while Region 2292 (S08W77, Cao/beta) remained fairly inactive. 

Regions 2282, 2286 and 2288 are due to return over the next three days.

Sunspots on March 5, 2015. Image credit: NASA SDO/HMI.

2292 – Beta
2293 – Beta

Forecast

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels with a chance for C-class flares for the next three days. There is still a slight chance for an isolated M-class (R1/R2-Minor/Moderate) flare today as Region 2292 completes its transit around the West limb.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels during last 24 hours as elevated solar wind speeds persisted, but is expected to return to moderate levels over the next 3 days as the elevated velocities begin to subside. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to persist at background levels.

Slight enhancements are expected in the solar wind environment on March 5 and 6 as additional sector boundary crossings are likely. By March 7, the Phi angle should transition to a more consistent positive (away) orientation, prior to the onset of an anticipated positive polarity high speed steam, expected to occur after March 7.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet to unsettled over the next three days, with a slight chance for isolated active periods as the result of solar sector transitions.

Featured image: NASA SDO/AIA 131 M1.2 solar flare at 18:13 UTC on March 5, 2015.