Solar Active Regions and Activity

Solar Geophysical Activity Report and Forecast
SDF Number 316 Issued at 2200Z on 11 Nov 2012


IA.  Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 10/2100Z to
11/2100Z: Solar activity has been at moderate levels for the past 24
hours. The largest solar event of the period was a M1 event observed at
11/0233Z from newly numbered Region 1614(N15E72). There were two other
newly numbered regions on the disk as well: 1613 (S21E57) and 1615
(N09E61). A non-earth directed CME was observed off of the southwest
limb on LASCO C2 imagery at 10/2224Z and was associated with the
eruption of a large prominence. There are currently 7 numbered sunspot
regions on the disk.

IB.  Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to be at low
with a chance for moderate levels on days one, two, and three (12 Nov,
13 Nov, 14 Nov).


IIA.  Geophysical Activity Summary 10/2100Z to 11/2100Z: The geomagnetic
field has been at quiet levels for the past 24 hours. Solar wind speed,
as measured by the ACE spacecraft, reached a peak speed of 352 km/s at
11/2010Z. Total IMF reached 5.4 nT at 11/1104Z. The maximum southward
component of Bz reached -5.2 nT at 11/1150Z.

IIB.  Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic field is expected
to be initially quiet but is expected to become mostly active with a
chance for minor storm levels beginning about mid-day on day 1 (12 Nov)
and partway into day 2 (13 Nov) due to the arrival of the CMEs from
09/1524Z and 10/0539Z. Activity is expected to decrease to generally
unsettled levels on day 3 (14 Nov).

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