MAJOR FLARE WATCH DOCUMENTATION

2012 August 18 - 19

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Events

Region
Reports


Notes
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:00:15 +0100
MM#009 Default HESSI Target
NOAA 11543 has decreased in number of spots as it rotates towards the NW limb, with an associated decrease in complexity to an alpha/H-type sunspot classification. A limb-occulted C4.7 flare on 17-Aug-2012 at 08:29 UT occurred on the NE limb. The beyond-limb source might be the return of the region previously designated NOAA 11528, which produced low-to-moderate C-class flares on its last disk passage. More C-class activity is possible in the next 24 hours.
The approximate position of this region on 17-Aug-2012 at 11:00 UT is: N20E90, ( -890", 322" )
Shaun Bloomfield (Trinity College Dublin)

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Events

Region
Reports


Notes
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:14:50 +0100
MM#003 Major Flare Watch
Yesterday's target region is in the process of rotating over the North
East limb and it appears to have a magnetic classification of at least
beta complexity. The target has produced four partially limb-occulted M-class events in the past 24 hours, the largest of which was an M5.5 flare on 18-Aug-2012 at 00:24 UT. At this time we are implementing a Major Flare Watch campaign due to the increased likelihood of another >M5 flare.
The approximate position of this region on 18-Aug-2012 at 08:00 UT is: N20E87, ( -889", 316" )
Shaun Bloomfield (Trinity College Dublin)
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Events

Region
Reports


Notes

Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2012 12:47:49 +0100
MM#003 Major Flare Watch
Yesterday's target region has now been designated as NOAA region 11548. This region is reported as a beta/C-type sunspot group class, but it is too close to the limb to accurately determine a magnetic configuration. NOAA region 11548 has produced 11 C-class and 2 M-class events since yesterday's Major Flare Watch began, the largest of which was an M2.0 flare on 18-Aug-2012 at 16:02 UT. The Major Flare Watch campaign will continue, as an increased likelihood of another >M5 flare still exists.
The position of NOAA 11548 on 19-Aug-2012 at 11:30 UT is:
N20E70, ( -837", 285" )
Shaun Bloomfield (Trinity College Dublin)
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Events

Region
Reports


Notes
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2012 17:36:07 +0100
MM#009 Default HESSI Target
Dear RHESSI Collaborators,
NOAA region 11548 appears to have decreased slightly in spot area and maintained number of spots as it rotates further onto the visible disk. This region still has only a beta/C-type sunspot group classification, but has decreased significantly in terms of flaring frequency and peak flare magnitudes. We are ending the Major Flare Watch campaign at this time, but further C-class activity is expected from NOAA 11548.
The position of NOAA 11548 on 20-Aug-2012 at 16:30 UT is:
N19E53, ( -718", 242" )
Shaun Bloomfield (Trinity College Dublin)