X-ray flux [res:60s/300s]

Measured by the GOES satellites (current satellite(s): GOES-14 and GOES-15). Spikes are considered significant when they rise above the "M" (10^-5W/m²) level. The plot shows the solar X-ray output in the 1-8Å (0.1-0.8 nm) and 0.5-4.0Å (0.05-0.4 nm) passbands.

Proton flux [res:300s]

Current 5-minute averaged integral proton flux. At the moment the levels are measured by the SWPC GOES-15 satellite. SWPC`s proton event threshold is 10 protons/cm²s^-1sr^-1 at >=10 MeV.

Electron flux [res:300s]

Current 5-minute averaged integral electron flux. The plot shows flux with energies >=0.8 MeV/>=0.8 MeV and >=2 MeV/>=2 MeV at GOES-14 (W75) and GOES-15 (W135). The data in this plot is invalid during a significant proton event because of sensor contamination at the GOES spacecraft.

Magnetic field [res:60s]

Current 1-minute averaged parallel component of the magnetic field. Measured in nanoTeslas (nT) at GOES-14 (W75) and GOES-15 (W135)

SXI [res:900s]

The GOES 12 through 15 spacecraft each carry a sophisticated Solar X-ray Imager to monitor the Sun’s X-rays for the early detection of solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other phenomena that impact the geospace environment. This early warning is important because travelling solar disturbances affect not only the safety of humans in high-altitude missions, such as human spaceflight, but also military and commercial satellite communications. In addition, coronal mass ejections can damage long-distance electric power grids, causing extensive power blackouts.


SXI videos (updated daily)

Latest 27 days: GOES 13 | GOES 14 | GOES 15
Latest 14 days: GOES 13 | GOES 14 | GOES 15
Latest 3 days: GOES 13 | GOES 14 | GOES 15

SXI Raw images: GOES 13 | GOES 14 | GOES 15

K_p Index (estimated)
The Estimated 3-hour Planetary K index is derived at the NOAA SWPC using data from ground-based magnetometers in Boulder (Colorado), Chambon la Foret (France), Fredericksburg (Virginia), Fresno (California), Hartland (UK), Newport (Washington), Sitka (Alaska) and Jeju (Korea). K_p indices of 5 or greater indicate storm-level geomagnetic activity.

D Region Absorption Predictions

Conditions in the D region of the ionosphere have a dramatic effect on high frequency (HF) communications and low frequency (LF) navigation systems. The global D Region Absorption Predictions (D-RAP) depicts the D region at high latitudes where it is driven by particles as well as low latitudes, where photons cause the prompt changes.


1dB ABS | 5MHz | 10MHz | 15MHz | 20MHz | 25MHz | 30MHz

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Strongest X-ray solar flares recorded

--------------------------------------------
RANK              DATE                CLASS
--------------------------------------------
  1             04-11-2003              X28+*
  2             02-04-2001              X20.0
  2             16-08-1989              X20.0
  3             28-10-2003              X17.2
  4             07-09-2005              X17.0
  5             06-03-1989              X15.0
  5             11-07-1978              X15.0
  6             15-04-2001              X14.4
  7             24-04-1984              X13.0
  7             19-10-1989              X13.0
  8             15-12-1982              X12.9
  9             06-06-1982              X12.0
  9             01-06-1991              X12.0
  9             04-06-1991              X12.0
  9             06-06-1991              X12.0
  9             11-06-1991              X12.0
  9             15-06-1991              X12.0
  10            17-12-1982              X10.1
  10            20-05-1984              X10.1
  11            29-10-2003              X10.0
  11            25-01-1991              X10.0
  11            09-06-1991              X10.0
  12            09-07-1982              X9.8
  12            29-09-1989              X9.8
  13            22-03-1991              X9.4
  13            06-11-1997              X9.4
  14            24-05-1990              X9.3
  14            06-09-2017              X9.3 (new)
  15            05-12-2006              X9.0  
  15            06-11-1980              X9.0 
  15            02-11-1992              X9.0
--------------------------------------------

* Taking a different route, researchers from the University of Otago used radio wave-based measurements of the x-rays' effects on the Earth's upper atmosphere to revise the flare's size from a merely huge X28 to a "whopping" X45, say researchers Neil Thomson, Craig Rodger, and Richard Dowden.


Courtesy of NOAA/SWPC.