Report of Solar Geophysical Activity (RSGA)



Joint USAF/NOAA Solar Geophysical Activity Report and Forecast
SDF Number 266 Issued at 2200Z on 23 Sep 2013

IA.  Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 22/2100Z to
23/2100Z: Solar activity has been at very low levels for the past 24
hours. There are currently 5 numbered sunspot regions on the disk.
IB.  Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is likely to be low on days
one, two, and three (24 Sep, 25 Sep, 26 Sep).

IIA.  Geophysical Activity Summary 22/2100Z to 23/2100Z: The geomagnetic
field has been at quiet levels for the past 24 hours. Solar wind speed,
as measured by the ACE spacecraft, reached a peak speed of 425 km/s at
23/0304Z. Total IMF reached 5 nT at 23/0844Z. The maximum southward
component of Bz reached -4 nT at 23/1643Z. Electrons greater than 2 MeV
at geosynchronous orbit reached a peak level of 1893 pfu.
IIB.  Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic field is expected
to be at quiet to unsettled levels on day one (24 Sep) and quiet levels
on days two and three (25 Sep, 26 Sep).

III.  Event probabilities 24 Sep-26 Sep
Class M    05/05/05
Class X    01/01/01
Proton     01/01/01
PCAF       green

IV.  Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
Observed           23 Sep 108
Predicted   24 Sep-26 Sep 108/108/108
90 Day Mean        23 Sep 111

V.  Geomagnetic A Indices
Observed Afr/Ap 22 Sep  006/007
Estimated Afr/Ap 23 Sep  005/005
Predicted Afr/Ap 24 Sep-26 Sep  008/008-004/005-004/005

VI.  Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 24 Sep-26 Sep
A.  Middle Latitudes
Active                10/05/05
Minor Storm           01/01/01
Major-severe storm    01/01/01
B.  High Latitudes
Active                15/15/15
Minor Storm           25/15/15
Major-severe storm    10/05/05

Radio Events Observed 23 Sep 2013
A.  245 MHz Bursts
Start  End   Peak Flux  Time of Peak  Duration
0007   0008    110          0007        0001  
0024   0024    140          0024        0000  
0136   0136    120          0136        0000  
0141   0141    170          0141        0000  
0143   0143    200          0143        0000  
0145   0145    110          0145        0000  
0203   0203    130          0203        0000  
0227   0227    120          0227        0000  
0247   0247    100          0247        0000  
0255   0255    160          0255        0000  
0310   0310    130          0310        0000  
0323   0323    100          0323        0000  
0547   0547    140          0547        0000  
0759   0759    110          0759        0000  
0805   0805    120          0805        0000  
B.  245 MHz Noise Storms
Start  End   Peak Flux  Time of Peak
0549   0622    140          0603              

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at

www.sec.noaa.gov/NOAAscales

Solar Radio Data



Background

Scientists monitor the structure of the solar corona, the outer most regions of the Sun's atmosphere, using radio waves -- the surface of the Sun is 6,000 degrees Kelvin, while the high corona can reach several million degrees Kelvin. Solar radio emissions at different frequencies allow us to observe radiation from different heights in the atmosphere. The lower the frequency, the higher the height of origin. The frequency, like the electron density, decreases uniformly outwards: 245 MHz originates high in the corona, while 15,400 MHz originates in the low corona. The 5 MHz emission corresponds to about 10 solar radii height. For a detailed review, see McLean and Labrum (1985)SOLAR RADIOPHYSICS.

Radio bursts are associated with solar flares. The delay at Earth of the different radio frequencies during burst events is due to the outward movement of the source. Bursts can have temperatures of 10xE12 degrees Kelvin. Large bursts last 10 to 20 minutes on average. Longer radio noise storms of persistent and variable high levels of radiation originate in sunspot groups, areas of large, intense magnetic fields. These storms are strongly circularly polarized due to the intense magnetic fields.

http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/solar/solarradio.html