[NZ4O Spaceweather] Some Solar Cycle 24 Firsts

[Thomas F. Giella NZ4O]

Posted Wednesday December 16, 2009 at 1400 UTC at 
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o4.htm

Sunspot group #11035 near N30W13 has grown into the largest (seven times 
larger than the Earth) and most magnetically complex (beta-gamma) sunspot 
group of solar cycle 24. At 0102 UTC the sunspot group released a small C5.3 
solar flare, the largest solar flare of solar cycle 24. More small C class 
solar flares are possible, with a chance for an isolated medium size M class 
solar flare.

#11035 also produced the first partially geoeffective (Earth facing) coronal 
mass ejection (CME) of solar cycle 24. The CME will arrive at Earth in a 
approximately two days and could spark a geomagnetic storm and visible 
aurora. Another geoeffective CME is possible, with an associated sudden 
ionosphere disturbance (SID) and shortwave fadeout (SWF).

The sunspot count is 38 which is the highest of solar cycle 24. The solar 
flux index is 82 which is tied for the highest SFI of solar Cycle 24.

With the increased sunspot count we should see improved propagation 
conditions on 15 and 12 meters.

73, GUD DX, Merry X-mas & Happy New Year,
Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O
Lakeland, FL, USA
nz4o at arrl.net
eList Owner/Moderator
John 3:16 <><

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