NOAA REPORTS POTENTIAL STILL EXISTS FOR MORE SPACE WEATHER

Nov. 26, 2003 — Space weather forecasters at the NOAA Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo., say that the possibility still exists for more solar activity from the three regions that were the source of spectacular solar storms in late October. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of sun taken on Nov. 26, 2003, at 12:31 a.m. EST. Click here to view latest solar images. Please credit “NOAA.”)

All three sunspot regions were still visible when the sun rotated around a second time, although they were smaller in size and complexity. However, NOAA space weather forecaster Larry Combs said the fact that they were still there when the sun rotated around was significant. “In 1989, the region that produced the flare that knocked out power to Quebec was gone when the sun rotated around. This illustrates the enormous size of the regions that produced the October flares since they’re still visible after two weeks.”

Region 508, which was previously numbered 486, is now two to three times the size of the Earth compared to its peak in late October when it was fourteen times the size of the Earth.

Region 501 has been the most active in its second time around, producing a moderate radio blackout, or R-2 on the NOAA space weather scales, an S-1 solar radiation storm and a severe geomagnetic or G-4 storm on November 20. That severe geomagnetic storm produced Aurora Borealis from the Mediterranean to the southern United States.

NOAA forecasters say that Region 507 is the largest of the group and is now five times the size of Earth and is still maintaining moderate complexity. NOAA space weather forecaster Bill Murtagh said that both sun spot regions 507 and 508 are located in the center of the sun and still have the potential to produce strong solar storms. “The regions, while still complex, are much less potent than last time around. However, I wouldn’t rule out another significant event.”

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Space Environment Center

NOAA Space Weather Scales

NOAA Solar X-ray Imager — Latest Views of the Sun

Latest SOHO images

Media Contact:
Barbara McGehan, NOAA Space Environment Center, (303) 497-6288