Dear Collaborators,
Solar activity has been at low-to-moderate levels. The largest event since the last message was an isolated M7.3 flare at 20:33 UT on May 17 produced by the target region NOAA 13685. 13685 has split into two regions with the other one numbered as NOAA 13686. 13685 retains a beta-gamma/D-type configuration but increases in the sunspot area. The Major Flare Watch will continue today with 13685 as the target, but if possible, please also include 13686 (S07E64, alpha/H-type) in your field of view. Additional M-class flares including a >M5 flare are likely in the next 24-48 hours.
The position of NOAA 13685 on May 18 at 03:30 UT is:
S13E48 (-688", -189")
See http://www.SolarMonitor.org for images and http://solar.physics.montana.edu/max_millennium/ops/observing.shtml for a description of the current Max Millennium Observing Plan.
Regards,
Ying Li (Purple Mountain Observatory)