Virtual Thoughts for a Virtual World

The sunspot number is down to 102, with sunspot AR1731 still holding potential for a significant flare event. Otherwise, the Kp index is currently quiet.



With a low noise floor, today could be a good day for HF DX enthusiasts. Even the 6m band is producing some contacts, both within North America and across the pond into Europe. 10m enthusiasts might also find TEP conditions into South America. 15m and 20m are open for ...

The sunspot count is up to 165, with AR1730 and AR1731 still holding potential for significant flaring. The KP index is slightly up as well, peaking at 4 in the past 24 hours and now settling back down to 3. The Kp index could rise again when the previously mentioned increased solar wind from a coronal hole likely arrives at Earth towards weekend.



An increased HF noise floor should be expected tonight, at least until ...

The sunspot number is up to 136, with sunspots AR1730 and AR1731 holding potential for significant flaring. Increased solar wind from a coronal hole should arrive at Earth later this week. As for now, the Kp index is relatively quiet.



10m band enthusiasts, especially long the east coast, might find a TEP opening into South America today. Otherwise, the 15m and 20m bands should be open for business into Europe.

The Kp index is currently at 5 as increased solar energy is buffeting Earth's magnetosphere, sparking minor geomagnetic storming. The energy is arriving via the coronal hole mentioned earlier this week.



The sunspot number is 93, and sunspot AR1726 is still holding potential for powerful flares, though it is starting to move away from the Earth-side of the sun.

Given the Kp index and geomagnetic flux, 20m ...

Sunspot AR1726 is now showing a delta class magnetic field, meaning an increasing chance of a significant flare event. The percentages are weighted more towards a M-class flare at 40% odds, though there is an estimated 15% chance of a more powerful X-class flare. Either way, given the location of AR1726, any produced flares are likely to track towards Earth. Sunspot AR1726 is the oval-shaped formation appearing in the upper-right quadrant of the following images.

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The sunspot number is down to 76, with sunspot AR1726 showing significant size and potential for flaring. Increased solar wind from a coronal hole should arrive at Earth later this week, towards weekend. Meanwhile, the Kp index is currently quiet.



The upper HF bands are not looking impressive this morning, though there appears to be a limited TEP opening on 10m 0between portions of North and South America. 20m is a better ...

The sunspot number is down to 89, and while sunpot AR1723 was holding potential for strong flaring, it now appears to be losing energy. A coronal hole is streaming increased solar wind, which should arrive at Earth this weekend. Otherwise, the Kp index is current.y quiet.



The 10m and 12m bands are not showing much activity this afternoon, with the trend likely holding through the day barring any sporadic-e or TEP openings. ...

Sunspot AR1719 produced a M-class solar flare yesterday, generating a mild R1 radio blackout, with the resulting coronal mass ejection likely reaching Earth on Saturday. There is a moderate chance of G2 geomagnetic storms upon arrival. Those in the northern latitudes might want to keep a lookout for auroras tomorrow night.

Otherwise, the sunspot number is down to 121, and the Kp index is quiet.



Spring ...

The overall sunspot count is down to 116. Sunspots AR1718 and AR1719 continue to have potential for M-class flares, with AR1718 already producing C-class flaring. The Kp index remains rather quiet.



Interestingly enough, 10m is currently producing contacts from North America into Australia and South America. Enjoy the upper HF opening this evening, as it could collapse as the greyline moves west. 20m and 40m are practically ...

The sunspot number has further increased to 144, with sunspots AR1713, AR1718, and AR1719 having potential for flaring. Otherwise, there are no coronal holes facing Earth, and the Kp index is rather quite.



For the 10m enthusiasts, there are a number of opportunities this morning via sporadic-e and transequatorial propagation events. The 17m band is also producing some impressive DX contacts from the eastern United States ...