22 Apr 2022 at 16:13 SAST
WARNING/ALERT;
An M-class X-ray solar flare is in progress. Frequencies of up to 10 MHz may be affected. There is no estimated recovery time. HF signal absorption is possible during this time
SYSTEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED;
HF Communications.
Solar activity is expected to remain low with background X-ray flux at B-class levels. There are several active regions visible on the solar disk with simple magnetic configurations and a chance of minor C-class solar activity is expected.
Solar activity has been moderate to high this past week. Two X-class (X1.1 and X2.2) and several M-class flares were observed, with the highest peak for M-class being a M9.6 flare. The X2.2 is the strongest solar flare of the current Solar Cycle thus far.
A G4/Severe storm is currently in progress following the arrival of one of the expected Coronal mass ejections(CMEs). Hermanus local K-index is 6. The solar wind speed is at strong levels with speeds up to 720 km/s. GNSS applications may be affected.
Geomagnetic storm conditions previously expected to reach G2/Moderate storm levels are now forecasted to reach up to G4/Severe storm levels! The impact is expected later today into tomorrow 10-11 May. This may impact the performance of navigation and communications applications.
SPACE WEATHER ALERT UPDATE: Geomagnetic storm conditions are currently at G4/Severe storm levels (Kp 8) and are expected to remain that way with a possibility of decreasing to G1/Minor-G3/Strong (Kp 5-7) levels tonight
Another G5/Extreme geomagnetic storm interval is in progress with maximum Kp of 9 due to continuous CME effects. Hermanus local K-index is 7. Solar wind speed is at strong levels with speeds reaching around 800 km/s. GNSS applications and HF communication may be affected.
The
@SANSA7
Space Weather Team is in the United Kingdom, at the
@MetOfficeSpace
to expand on their training in preparation for the launch of the new 24-hour operational Space Weather Centre in Hermanus, South Africa.
The month was off to a stormy start when a series of geomagnetic storms, reaching G3/Severe levels, were observed on 1 December 2023. These storms were due to consecutive arrival of a few
coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that left the Sun between the 27th and 28th of November.
More geomagnetic storms are anticipated due to additional arrivals of Coronal Mass Ejections(CMEs). Solar activity remains at very strong levels with speed at 800km/s. AR3664 continues to impress us with solar flares following the recent X5.6 event observed at 11/01:25 UT.
SANSA Solar Physics Roadshow for the WIN! Such an amazing bunch of people over at
@theNWU
who so enthusiastically welcomed
@SansaMartin
and the rest of
@SpaceweatherSA
The
@SpaceweatherSA
forecasting team visited the facilities at the
@SAAO
in Sutherland this week. The team checked on the status of the solar radio antenna and the other SANSA instruments and helped with some routine facility maintenance.
We are currently observing G4/Severe (Kp 8) storm conditions due to coronal mass ejection (CME) impacts. The local Hermanus K index reached G1/Minor storm levels. Stay tuned for more space weather activity on
@SpaceweatherSA
An M-class flare is currently in progress. Frequencies of up to 30 MHz may be affected over the African region. No estimated recovery time. HF signal absorption is possible.
The CME from a large filament eruption on the 13 September is likely to give Earth a glancing blow on the 17 September, leading to elevated speed, but this is low confidence due to its slow speed.
@SANSA7
@NWSSWPC
We are in a G2 storm warning. Expect stormy geomagnetic conditions that may cause minor geomagnetically induced currents on power transmission networks.
The sun has been busy lately. It seems regions that rotate off the visible solar disk won’t go down that easy! Active region 3386 is proof of this, having recently rotated off, it was responsible for an X1.5 flare at 07/20:46 UT just 3 days after producing another X-class flare
Solar activity expected to remain low with background X-ray flux at lower B-class levels. AR2866 which was visible has rotated off the west limb and no flaring activity is expected. Solar wind speed is expected to remain at background levels for next 24H
@SANSA7
@spaceinafrica1
For the first time since the Halloween storm in 2003, Geomagnetic Conditions have reached G5/Extreme storm conditions Kp=9. This is due to several CME arrivals.Hermanus K-index is 7. Solar wind speed is at strong levels with speeds up to 760km/s.GNSS and HF comms may be affected.
WARNING/ALERT;
An X-class X-ray solar flare is in progress. Frequencies of up to 30 MHz may be affected. There is no estimated recovery time. HF signal absorption is possible during this time.
SYSTEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED;
HF Communications.
Ex-region AR3664 is back with a bang! This was the region responsible for multiple CME eruptions which caused the G5 storm conditions from 10-12 May 2024. Total HF blackout was observed over the African region.
Department of Higher Education And Training Deputy Minister, Buti Manamela interacting with school learners at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Hermanus Facility.
#spaceday2023
@ButiManamela
Space Weather Bulletin
10 Oct 2022, composed at 07:44 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity is low to moderate with background X-ray flux at C-class levels. An M1.0 flare was observed at 10/00:47 UT from AR3116.
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Low to moderate solar activity. Several C-class flares and an M1.9 flare at 22/13:36 UT were observed during the past 24 hrs. There was a narrow CME associated with an M1.9 flare that has an Earth-directed component.
@spaceweatherSA
@dsigovza
The solar wind speed is expected to remain elevated due to the ongoing high speed stream from small coronal hole 99 (CH99). Geomagnetic conditions are expected to be quiet to unsettled with a chance of isolated active intervals..
@sansa7
;
@dsigovza
What role did space weather play in the destruction of 40 Starlink satellites on 4 February?
Our scientists delve into the scenario to explain what happened:
20 Apr 2022 at 15:01 SAST
WARNING/ALERT;
An M-class X-ray solar flare is in progress. Frequencies of up to 20 MHz may be affected. There is no estimated recovery time. HF signal absorption is possible during this time.
SYSTEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED;
HF communication.
Are you looking for fun and educational activities for your kids during the holiday? Will you be in Hermanus on 12 and 13 December? Then book a spot for your kids at the Space Agency Holiday Programme by calling 028 285 0000. Hosted at the SANSA Science Centre in Hermanus.
An X4.0 solar flare is observed from active region 3664 (AR3664) yet again. Lower frequencies in the HF band were affected over the African region and this is also evident on the Hermanus ionogram.
SANSA monitors solar emissions in the radio spectrum and operates an all-sky airglow camera. We also have an interferometer to measure winds in the upper atmosphere
OUTLOOK;
Solar activity is expected to be low to moderate with background X-ray flux at C-class levels. There are nine sunspot regions on the visible solar disk showing simple to complex magnetic configurations.
29 Apr 2022, composed at 09:55 SAST
WARNING/ALERT
An M-class X-ray solar flare is in progress. Frequencies of up to 20 MHz may be affected. There is no estimated recovery time. HF signal absorption is possible during this time.
SYSTEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED
HF Communications
Geomagnetic conditions were at quiet to unsettled levels, becoming active from 07/15:00 UT. A G2/Moderate was observed at 07/21:00-00:00 UT, then declined to G1/Minor storm that is currently in progress. The local Hermanus K index of 5 was observed. Expect unstable HF propagation
OUTLOOK: Solar activity is expected to be low with background X-ray flux at B-class levels. There are two active regions (AR2934 and unnumbered region) visible on the solar disk with simple to moderate magnetic complexity and there is a chance of C-class flaring activity.
Space Weather Bulletin
18 Oct 2022
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity is low with background X-ray flux at upper B-class levels. A few minor C-class flares were observed with the largest being a long duration C3.3 flare at 17/17:14 UT from AR3124.
An X3.3 solar flare has been observed with possible radio wave signal absorption in most part of the African region. SANSA
@SpaceweatherSA
continues to monitor space weather conditions on a 24/7 basis.
A G4/severe storm is still in progress due to continuous coronal mass ejection(CME) effects. Hermanus local K-index is 8. The solar wind speed is at strong levels with speeds up to 720 km/s. GNSS applications may be affected.
SANSA Update: an X2.3 solar flare is observed from active region 3664 (AR3664). Frequencies of up to 30 MHz in the HF band were affected over the African region. The radio wave absorption was evident on the Hermanus ionogram with no received echoes. Follow us on
@SpaceweatherSA
OUTLOOK;
Solar activity is expected to be low with background X-ray flux at B-class levels. There are five sunspot regions on the visible solar disk showing simple magnetic configurations. The probability for C-class flaring is low and very low for M-class.
WARNING/ALERT
29 Oct 2021, composed at 09:24 SAST
A coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with an X-class solar flare was observed on 28 October 2021. It is heading towards Earth with speed of approximately 1200 km/s and is expected to impact Earth late on 30 October 2021.
Exciting time for space weather as we experience intense increase in solar activity. This week is our first time observing strong solar flares with background X-ray flux mainly at M-class levels for a period of 3 days during this solar cycle 25.
The
@SpaceweatherSA
team will sorely miss her.
@leeannemck
was a remarkable women and a champion of the space weather team!! May her soul rest in peace!!
It is with deep regret and sadness that we bid farewell to a remarkable leader and trailblazer in the space science field. Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell passed away on Saturday.
ALERT/WARNING
20 May 2022 09:55 SAST
A Long duration M-class X-ray solar flare is in progress. Frequencies of up to 20 MHz may be affected. There is no estimated recovery time. HF signal absorption is possible during this time.
SYSTEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED;
HF Communications.
A G4/severe storm is currently in progress, with maximum global Kp levels at 8-. This is due to a continuous combination of two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) glancing impact which left the Sun on the 20th of March.
Three sunspot regions (AR12992, AR12993, and AR12994) were responsible for the high solar activity. However, AR12992 has rotated off the visible disk of the Sun.
A C1.6 class X-ray flare, which occurred at 05:54 UTC on 28 September from active region AR2871, appears to have caused a filament eruption. The eruption produced a CME with an Earth-directed component.
Space Weather Bulletin
21 Sept 2022, composed at 07:57 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity is low to moderate with background X-ray flux at C-class levels. Several C-class flares were observed, and an M1.0 flare at 20/11:22 UT.
17 Aug 2022 at 23:09 SAST
WARNING
Moderate geomagnetic storm in progress with maximum Kp of 6 due to the effects of the CME that occurred on the 14th of August. The local Hermanus K index value is 5. The solar wind speed is elevated above background with speeds up to 510 km/s.
Further analysis for the CME associated with an M-class flare will be done once the data becomes available.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded this frenetic 5-hour sequence during the early hours of Oct. 26th:
Space Weather Bulletin
04 Nov 2022, composed at 07:56 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity is low with the background X-ray flux at upper B-class levels.
While you are getting ready for the festive season, the Sun has been very busy flaring with M-class flares. Active region 3165 (AR3165) has mainly been responsible for the M-class flares observed. It has a complex magnetic configuration of Beta-Gamma-Delta classification.
24-hour space weather update: Three M-class flares occurred yesterday (31 May 2023), the largest being a long duration M-class solar flare occurred at 31/22:52 UT from AR3323. Since this flare occurred at night, no effect was felt in South Africa. More update on
@SpaceweatherSA
The solar wind speed is expected to remain at background levels with a chance of slight enhancement from coronal hole 34 (CH34) later today (14 December). Geomagnetic conditions are expected to be mostly quiet with isolated unsettled levels.
Space Weather Bulletin
13 Oct 2022, composed at 07:50 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity is moderate with background X-ray flux at C-class levels. An M1.5 flare was observed at 13/00:15UT.
There are three potentially Earth-directed CMEs from filament eruptions. One was observed on the 3rd of December and is expected to near-miss Earth on the 7th of December.
A CME that left the Sun on 13 June glanced Earth today at 04:04 UT. Solar wind speed is elevated above background levels (570- 620 km/s) and there is a possibility of a G1 storm.
AR3664 has left the visible disk with a BANG, unleashing the largest flare so far of solar cycle 25. The X8.7 was observed on 14 May at 16:51 UT. This region was responsible for multiple eruptions on the Sun that led to the G5/Extreme storm event observed over the past weekend.
Space Weather Bulletin
15 Sept 2021, composed at 08:45 SAST
Solar activity is low with background X-ray flux at B-class levels. Solar wind speed is slightly elevated above background levels with speeds ranging between 415 - 470 km/s.
@SANSA7
@dsigovza
Space Weather Bulletin
02 May 2023, @ 07:44 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity moderate with background X-ray flux at C-class levels. Several C-class flares observed in the past 24-hours, the largest flare being an M7.1 at  01/13:09 UT from AR3288.
WARNING/ALERT
20 Jan 2022, composed at 08:16 SAST
M-class X-ray solar flare is in progress. Frequencies of up to 20 MHz may be affected. There is no estimated recovery time. HF signal absorption is possible during this time.
SYSTEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED;
HF Communications
Two CMEs were observed on the 5th of December and one is expected to reach Earth on the 9th of December and the third CME to arrive on the 10th of December. There is a possibility of a minor G1 storm due to CMEs arrival.
SYSTEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED;
None.
Space Weather Bulletin
22 Jun 2022, composed at 08:52 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity is low with background X-ray flux at C-class levels. There are seven sunspot regions visible on the solar disc with five showing simple magnetic configurations.
Two active areas, AR3663 and AR3664 are putting on a dazzling show with solar flares and a background x-ray flux at M-Class level. Currently, the effects of prolonged M-class flares from both areas can be observed.
OUTLOOK;
Solar activity is expected to be moderate with background X-ray flux at C-class levels. There are eight sunspot regions on the visible solar disk showing simple to complex magnetic configurations.
The CME from a large filament eruption on the 13 September is likely to give Earth a glancing blow on the 17th, but this is low confidence. Geomagnetic conditions are expected to be quiet to unsettled with a chance of isolated active levels.
@SpaceweatherSA
@SANSA7
There are nine sunspot regions visible on the solar disc with simple to complex magnetic configurations. The solar wind speed is elevated above background levels with speed ranging between 440-510 km/s due to coronal holes influence.
The solar wind speed is expected to remain elevated due to the ongoing high-speed stream (HSS) from coronal hole 44 (CH44). Geomagnetic conditions are expected to be quiet to unsettled.
SYSTEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED;
None.
Space Weather Bulletin
21 Apr 2022, composed at 08:48 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity has been high with background X-ray flux at C-class levels. A M1.9 and a M9.6 flares were observed at 20/12:50 UT and 21/01:40 UT respectively.
Solar wind speed is expected to remain elevated above background levels due to the continuous HSS influence from CH37.A further enhancement of the solar wind speed is possible from CH38 later today into tomorrow.
Space Weather Alert
Composed at 10:40 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
M-class solar flare in progress. Frequencies up to 20 MHz may be affected. No estimated recovery time. HF signal absorption is possible.
SYSTEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED;
HF communications.
Space Weather Bulletin
19 Sept 2022, composed at 07:42 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity is low with background X-ray flux at C-class levels. Several C-class flares were observed with the largest being a C7.6 flare at 19/02:30 UT.
A high speed stream from positive coronal hole 89 (CH89) is expected to reach earth by 20 march, coursing unsettled to active geomagnetic activity with a high possibility of a geomagnetic storm (kp = 5) .
Space Weather Bulletin
13 Dec 2022, composed at 07:43 SAST
CURRENT SPACE WEATHER CONDITIONS;
Solar activity is low with background X-ray flux at upper B-class levels. Few C-class flares were observed with the largest peak being a C3.1 at 12/15:10 UT.