March 2011 News

2011/03/31  04:00 1176  still shrinking and measures 3001 pixels (4618) with a darkness ratio of 58% (63%).  1180 is also falling and measures 342 pixels (427) with a darkness ratio of 68% (65%).  1183 growing and measures 4330 pixels (3934) and a darkness ratio of 56% (59%). All other speck regions not passing the threshold. March looking to be stronger than February.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC was 117.3 (115.9). The DSN value for today is 3111 with the previous measurement at 3952.  

2011/03/30  04:00 1176  still shrinking and measures 4618 pixels (5576) with a darkness ratio of 63% (66%).  1180 is frozen and measures 427 pixels (426) with a darkness ratio of 65% (67%).  1183 growing and measures 3934 pixels (2804) and a darkness ratio of 59% (58%). All other speck regions not passing the threshold. March looking to be stronger than February.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC was 115.9 (118.1). The DSN value for today is 3952 with the previous measurement at 4180.  

2011/03/29  04:00 1176  measures 5576 pixels (7273) with a darkness ratio of 66% (61%). 1178 also dropping back and measures 398 pixels (724) with a darkness ratio of 68% (69%). 1180 measures 426 pixels (333) with a darkness ratio of 67% (76%). New area 1183 measures 2804 pixels (1209) and a darkness ratio of 58% (60%). All other speck regions not passing the threshold.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC was 118.1 (115.1), the flux value heading up again. The DSN value for today is 4180 with the previous measurement at 4383.  

2011/03/28  04:00 1176 starting to decline today and measures 7273 pixels (8371) with a darkness ratio of 61% (65%). 1178 also dropping back and measures 724 pixels (1142) with a darkness ratio of 69% (69%). 1180 right on the threshold and measures 333 pixels (392) with a darkness ratio of 76% (56%). New area 1183 measures 1209 pixels and a darkness ratio of 60%. All other speck regions not passing the threshold.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC was not updated today (113.9), the flux value heading up again. The DSN value for today is 4383 with the previous measurement at 4742.  

2011/03/27  04:00 1176 growing slightly today and measures 8371 pixels (7762) with a darkness ratio of 65% (66%). 1178 also improving and measures 1142 pixels (833) with a darkness ratio of 69% (62%). 1180 measures 392 pixels with a darkness ratio of 56%.  All other speck regions not passing the threshold.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 113.9 (112.0), the flux value heading up again. The DSN value for today is 4742 with the previous measurement at 4192.  

2011/03/26  04:00 1176 staying about the same today and measures 7762 pixels (7790) with a darkness ratio of 66% (66%). 1178 today making the grade and measures 883 pixels with a darkness ratio of 62%. All other speck regions not passing the threshold.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 112.0 (106.9), the flux value heading up again. The DSN value for today is 4192 with the previous measurement at 3911.  

2011/03/25  04:00 1176 on the move again today and measures 7790 pixels (6364) with a darkness ratio of 66% (63%). 1177, 1178, 1179 and two other speck regions not coming close to making the grade today.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 106.9 (104.0), the flux value heading up again. The DSN value for today is 3911 with the previous measurement at 2836.  

2011/03/24  04:00 1176 growing today although perhaps not realizing its potential when looking at the magnetogram. 1176 measures 6364 pixels (4505) with a darkness ratio of 63% (59%). There is also some specks on another returning region in the north.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 104.0 (99.1). The DSN value for today is 2836 with the previous measurement at 1935.  

2011/03/23  04:00  Region  1175 reduced to 256 pixels (1241) and will not be counted today. 1176 measures 4505 pixels (1913) with a darkness ratio of 59%. There is also some specks on another returning region in the north. The magnetic area of 1176 looks substantial.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 99.1 (100.2). The DSN value for today is 1935 with the previous measurement at 1415.  

2011/03/22  04:00  Region  1175 reduced today and measures 1244 pixels (1761) with a darkness ratio of 60% (60%). A returning region 1165 could be new region 1176 that appeared today. It measures 1913 pixels. There is also some specks around the meridian with perhaps more activity expected tomorrow.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 100.2 (91.2),. The DSN value for today is 1415 with the previous measurement at 723.  

2011/03/21  04:00  Region  1175 remained steady and measures 1761 pixels (1784) with a darkness ratio of 60% (57%). This area accounting for almost all of today's DSN value as almost all of the specks have vanished. Old regions 1163/4/5 are lining up for a revisit very soon.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 91.2 (88.0),. The DSN value for today is 723 with the previous measurement at 763.  

2011/03/20  04:00  A very small gain in area today . New region  1175 in the north  measures 1784 pixels (1603) with a darkness ratio of 57% (71%). Some consolidation of this area over the past 24 hours which has led to a big drop in darkness. The magnetogram not showing a lot of strength at present. Stereo B is firing up but difficult as usual to determine the actual strength.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 88.0 (86.8),. The DSN value for today is 763 with the previous measurement at 858. The drop in darkness taking its toll.

2011/03/19  04:00  A slight increase in activity . New region  1175 in the north measures 1603 pixels with a darkness ratio of 71%. Some activity showing on Stereo Behind that looks like prior regions.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 86.8 (89.2), heading back towards 80 again. The DSN value for today is 858 with the previous measurement at 294.  

2011/03/18  04:00  A low day of activity .  1173 in the  south has fallen back from a weak start and measures 674 pixels (872) with a darkness ratio of 61% (63%). Some activity showing on Stereo Behind that looks like prior regions. Another lull could be looming.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 89.2 (103.8), heading back towards 80 again. The DSN value for today is 294 with the previous measurement at 609. The DSN still falling.

2011/03/17  04:00  Another day of reduction . 1169  on its last day and measures 493 pixels (1634). 1173 in the  south has grown slightly but still small at 872 pixels (397) with a darkness ratio of 63% (79%), the new areas not as dark as yesterday. Some activity showing on Stereo Behind that looks like prior regions.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 103.8(100.3). The DSN value for today is 609 with the previous measurement at 923. The DSN still falling.

2011/03/16  04:00  Another day of reduction but a new sunspot forming . 1169  measures 1634 pixels (3615). A new region has formed in the south that measures 397 pixels with a darkness ratio of 79%, once again no shortage of magnetic strength. The penumbra just visible in my Wolf handheld telescope replica showing the LSC threshold to be right in the ballpark.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 100.3 (106.1), still heading down. The DSN value for today is 923 with the previous measurement at 1681. The LSC will use the 04:00 UTC image for the foreseeable future. 

2011/03/15  04:00  The wind down continues. 1166  just visible and measures 461 pixels (3507). 1169  dropping back more and measures 3615 pixels (4883) with a darkness ratio of 58% (63%). Old region 1161 (1172) still only showing minor specks at this stage. Future activity on Stereo B is not looking encouraging along with the weak return of 1158 and 1161 this month.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 106.1 (111.5), heading down. The DSN value for today is 1681 with the previous measurement at 3216. The LSC will use the 04:00 UTC image for the foreseeable future. 

2011/03/14  04:00  All metrics on the downslide today. 1166  measures 3507 pixels (7405) with the darkness ratio at 53% (53%).  1169  also shrinking and measures 4883 pixels (5541) with a darkness ratio of 63% (62%). Old region 1161 (1172) still only showing minor specks at this stage. Future activity on Stereo B is not looking encouraging.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded  111.5 (119.2), heading down. The DSN value for today is 3216 with the previous measurement at 5369. The LSC will use the 04:00 UTC image for the foreseeable future. 

2011/03/13  04:00  Swings and slides but overall more decline in activity today. 1166  measures 7405 pixels (12089) with the darkness ratio at 53% (62%).  1169   showing some growth and measures 5541 pixels (4599) with a darkness ratio of 62% (67%). Old region 1161 (1172) still only showing minor specks at this stage.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 119.2 (121.5), heading down. The DSN value for today is 5369 with the previous measurement at 7459. The LSC will use the 04:00 UTC image for the foreseeable future. 

2011/03/12  04:00  Some decrease in activity today. 1166  measures 12089 pixels (16274) with the darkness ratio at 62% (62%).  1169   showing some growth and measures 4599 pixels (3736) with a darkness ratio of 67% (56%). Old region 1161 (1172) showing minor specks at this stage.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 121.5 (129.5), heading down quickly now. The DSN value for today is 7459 with the previous measurement at 8393. The LSC will use the 04:00 UTC image for the foreseeable future. 

2011/03/11  04:00   A day of little change today.  1166  measures 16274 pixels (16974) with the darkness ratio at 62% (67%).  1169  measures 3736 pixels (3528) with a darkness ratio of 56% (58%). Some other small specks not making the grade. Old region 1161 is about to come into view, its strength will probably determine the next 7 days.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 129.5 (141.1), heading down quickly now. The DSN value for today is 8393 with the previous measurement at 9345. The LSC will use the 04:00 UTC image for the foreseeable future. 

2011/03/10  04:00     1166 still growing and measures 16974 pixels (16230) with the darkness ratio at 67% (63%).  1169 growing more today and measures 3528 pixels (2823) with a darkness ratio of 58% (66%). Some other small specks not making the grade. NOAA naming 1171 as a plage region which is the very strong region 1158 from last month, which is interestingly very weak at this stage.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 141.1 (164.3), heading down quickly now. The DSN value for today is 9345 with the previous measurement at 9295. THE LSC will use the 04:00 UTC image for the foreseeable future. 

2011/03/09  04:00   1164 not far from the edge measures 2058 pixels (6155). 1166 now easily the biggest SC24 region and still growing measures 16230 pixels (14807) with the darkness ratio at 63% (70%).  1169 growing slowly today and measures 2823 pixels (2217) with a darkness ratio of 66% (68%). New area 1170 measures 503 pixels and the darkness ratio at 58%.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 164.3 (150.0 approx),  another SC24 record, the big flare activity continues. The DSN value for today is 9295 with the previous measurement at 11574. THE LSC will use the 04:00 UTC image for the foreseeable future. 

2011/03/08  08:00  More SC24 records set today. 1164 not far from the edge measures 6155 pixels (10231) with the darkness ratio at 61% (64%).  1166 now the biggest SC24 region and measures 14807 pixels (9514) with the darkness ratio at 70% (66%). 1165 almost gone and measures 1357 pixels (3768). 1169 growing today and measures 2217 pixels (804) with a darkness ratio of 68%. Several specks today not making the grade. Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded  approx 150.0 (140.3),  another SC24 record. The DSN value for today is 11574 with the previous measurement at 11037. Another record but interesting to see the flux growth compared to the DSN value, a good example of how both can differ with flare activity.

2011/03/07  08:00  Overall a small decrease today. 1164 dropping off quickly and measures 10231 pixels (14522) with the darkness ratio at 64% (68%).  1166 increasing again  and measures 9514 pixels (7682) with the darkness ratio at 66% (63%). 1165 moving up to 3768 pixels (2375) and a darkness ratio of 59% (64%), and new area 1169 measures 804 pixels. Several specks today not making the grade.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 140.3 (132.5),  another SC24 record, the flux growth is big. The DSN value for today is 11037 with the previous measurement at 11469.  

2011/03/06  08:00  Activity still on the rise. 1164 growing some more  and measures 14522 pixels (14146) with the darkness ratio at a dark 68% (70%), 1164 is just under the record size of 1158.  1166 increasing again  and measures 7682 pixels (6907) with the darkness ratio at 63% (61%). 1165 moving up to 2375 pixels (577) and a darkness ratio of 64%, Locarno is counting 1165 as 2 groups.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 132.5 (124.7),  a new SC24 record. The DSN value for today is 11469 with the previous measurement at 10143. Another record for the DSN. 

2011/03/05  08:00  Lots of growth today. 1164 reversing the trend and growing again and measures 14146 pixels (11313) with the darkness ratio at a dark 70% (66%).  1166 moving up quickly on the area count again and measures 6907 pixels (4226) with the darkness ratio at 61% (58%). 1165 now a counter at 577 pixels. March is shaping up to be a bumper month (well within the bounds of grand minimum) with returning regions still in hand, no sign of the L&P effect this month. Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 124.7 (118.8), tomorrows value will set a new SC24 record with the unipolar groups not forming. The DSN value for today is 10143  with the previous measurement at 7294. A new record for the DSN. 

2011/03/04  08:00   1164 not doing much today and measures 11313 pixels (11424) with the darkness ratio at 66% (65%).  1166 (pictured) moving up quickly on the area count and measures 4226 pixels (1830) with the darkness ratio at 58%. Three other speck regions are trying to make the grade but failing today .

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 118.8 (111.4), no dropping off yet. The DSN value for today is 7294 with the previous measurement at 5995. The DSN value getting close to last months high. 

2011/03/03  08:00   1164 just growing and measures 11424 pixels (10465) with the darkness ratio at 65% (66%). New area 1166 measures 1830 pixels and looks to have a weak EUV signal suggesting some form of unipolar or flux eating configuration. 1165 has died and there are other speck regions that also do not make the threshold.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 111.4 (108.5), I wouldn't be surprised to see a drop soon. The DSN value for today is 5995 with the previous measurement at 4959.   

2011/03/02  08:00   1164 (pictured) growing substantially again plus consolidating and measures 10465 pixels (7274) with the darkness ratio at 66% (67%). 1165 has reduced today to 409 pixels (773) with the darkness ratio of 66% (76%). The monthly values are in, showing the LSC trimming many minor specks out of a month mixed of spotless days and high activity. SC24 still below SC5.

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 108.5 (94.0). The DSN value for today is 4959 with the previous measurement at 3781.   

UPDATE: LSC February - 20   SIDC February - 29.4

2011/03/01  08:00  Someone turned up the wick today, 1164 (pictured) growing substantially and measures 7274 pixels (2872) and the darkness ratio ramping up again to 67% (55%).  1165 has also grown and now passes the threshold at 773 pixels and a darkness ratio of 76% (very dark). A new article focusing on the Melbourne temperature record and the upcoming politics here..

Yesterday's adjusted F10.7 flux figures measured at 20:00 UTC recorded 94.0 (88.7), expect more tomorrow. The DSN value for today is 3781  with the previous measurement at 1216.   

UPDATE: LSC February - 20   SIDC February - 29.4