latest solar flare activity august 16 2012

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity
SDF Number 229 Issued at 2200Z on 16 Aug 2012

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 15/2100Z
to 16/2100Z: Solar activity was low. Region 1543 (N22W48) produced
a C3 flare at 16/1316Z. This flare was accompanied by Type II (704
km/s) and Type IV radio emissions and a coronal mass ejection (CME).
The CME was first visible in STEREO-A COR2 imagery at 16/1409Z and
was estimated to be moving at around 330 km/s. Analysis is underway
to determine if it will be geoeffective. Region 1543 ended the
period as an Hhx group with alpha magnetic characteristics. New
Region 1546 (N16E69) was numbered today as a simple Hsx group.

IB. Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to be low
for the next three days (17-19 August). There is a slight chance
for an M-class flare on day 3 (19 August) as old Region 1532 (S16,
L=185) returns.

IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 15/2100Z to 16/2100Z:
The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to unsettled levels during
the period. A weak impulse was indicated at several geomagnetic
observatories at around 16/1321Z. Earlier, around 13/1223Z, the Bz
component of the interplanetary magnetic field at the ACE spacecraft
turned southward to approximately -6 nT. It remained mostly
southward for the remainder of the period. The shift in Bz and the
subsequent impulse at earth were consistent with the arrival of the
CME from 13 August.

IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic field is
expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels for the next three days
(17-20 August), with a chance for active levels. The disturbed
conditions on days 1-2 (17-18 August) are expected with the arrival
of the CME from 14 August. The disturbed conditions on day 3 (19
August) are expected with the arrival of a positive coronal hole
high speed stream.

How to view The Solar Eclipse

How do you watch today's historic solar eclipse? If you're in the continental United States, you'll want to get an elevated, unobstructed view of the western and northwest horizon when the eclipse begins -- as early as the 5 o'clock hour near the northwestern tip of California, local time. 
The simplest way is to project the eclipse on a surface, so you don't look at the sun directly.
One easy method: using a hand mirror to reflect the light of the sun onto the sidewalk, said Griffith Observatory Director Ed Krupp.
Another idea is to use binoculars to project an image of the sun on a surface, NASA says. Just don't use the binoculars to look at the sun directly!




Another easy way  is to crisscross your fingers waffle style to the sunlight, which will project the partial eclipse on the ground in front of you, according to a NASA video on Sunday's eclipse.
If you're near a tree, look underneath the sun-dappled canopy of leaves, and you might be able to see the projections of countless mini-eclipses on the ground.
You can also get a piece of cardboard, punch hole in it with a nail, and then angle the cardboard to project the sun's light on another piece of cardboard. "You'll see a projected image … when the sun goes into eclipse, you'll see a crescent," said Krupp. The smaller the hole, the sharper image you can get.




FULL COVERAGE: SOLAR ECLIPSE 2012