Space Weather
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| GOES
Xray Flux (left
plot) shows the last 3 days of
5-minute Solar X-ray Flux values; storms causing radio
blackouts. When spikes occur, match the left side (Watts m^2)
of 10^5 through 10^2 (<10^5 not an event) and right side M or X
with the Radio
Blackouts-Physical Measure column in the Space
Wx Warning Scale.
eg. An Xray Flux of around 10^3 in the X20 range (very top plot w/out a value in the right side) is indicative of an EXTREME (R5) event-radio blackout on the entire sunlit side of Earth lasting for a number of hours. The Planetary K Index (right plot) represents current geomagnetic storm activity. When spikes occur, match the left side scale (Kp value) of 5 through 9 (<5 not an event) w/ the Geomagnetic Storm - Physical Measure column in the Space Wx Warning Scale. eg. A Kp 7 event is a STRONG (G3) event-HF radio may be intermittent, and aurora has been seen as low as Illinois and Oregon. Direction, Angle, and Magnitude of the Solar Wind can be determined using the dials below. The Kp Index can also help determine viewing of aurora. |
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Interplanetary
Magnetic Field     This plot shows the current extent and position of the auroral oval in the northern hemisphere, during the most recent NOAA POES satellite pass. The red arrow in the plot, that looks like a clock hand, points toward the noon meridian. The power fluxes are color coded on a scale from 0 to 10 ergs .cm-2.sec-1 according to the color bar on the right. The pattern has been oriented with respect to the underlying geographic map using the current UTC time, updated every ten minutes. |
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Solar Activity Monitor
The monitor in the page heading provides a textual status of X-ray activity and refers to the X-Ray Flux graph at the top of the page.| NORMAL | Solar X-ray flux is quiet (<1.00e-6 W/m^2). |
| ACTIVE | Solar X-ray flux is active (>= 1.00e-6 W/m^2). |
| M CLASS FLARE | An M Class Solar Flare has occurred (>= 1.00e-5 W/m^2). |
| X CLASS FLARE | An X Class Solar Flare has occurred (>= 1.00e-4 W/m^2). |
| MEGA FLARE | An unprecedented X-ray event has occurred (>= 1.00e-3 W/m^2). |
