Dear RHESSI Collaborators,
Solar activity is at a moderate-to-high level. NOAA region 11731 has decayed somewhat in spot area, but retains a beta-gamma-delta/E-type sunspot group classification. This region was the source of one low C-class event in the past 24 hours, and an M1.3 flare on 3-May-2013 at 16:39 UT. A new region has rotated over the North East limb since yesterday's message, and is designated as NOAA 11739. This region produced an M5.7 flare on 3-May-2013 at 17:24 UT and two subsequent low C-class events. Prior to rotating over the North East limb, this region was also the source of a flare and CME eruption on 1-May-2013 at ~02:15 UT. NOAA 11739 remains too close to the limb to accurately determine its magnetic configuration, but is classified as having at least a beta/D-type sunspot group classification. At this time we are implementing a Major Flare Watch due to the increased possibility of an M5 or greater flare over the next 24-48 hours.
The position of NOAA 11739 on 4-May-2013 at 12:30 UT is:
N13E68, ( -861", 237" )
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,
Shaun Bloomfield (Trinity College Dublin)
mmmotd@solar.physics.montana.edu