Dear Collaborators,

Solar activity is at a moderate level. Target region NOAA 13645 has emerged some magnetic flux since the last message, increasing in sunspot area and number of spots. As a result, this region changed in classification to be a beta-gamma/D-type group. NOAA 13645 was the source of two M-class flares in the period (an M1.0 and an M1.6 on 22-Apr-2024 at 07:59 UT and 13:13 UT, respectively), while the largest magnitude flare was an M3.4 on 21-Apr-2024 at 21:44 UT from NOAA 13638 (beta/C-type group located close to NOAA regions 13645 and 13647). The default target continues as NOAA 13645 for the next 24 hours due to being larger with more complex sunspot structure. However, all regions in this Southern-hemisphere complex are being monitored for their evolution and a possible upgrading to a MM#003 Major Flare Watch. Further low M-class activity is probable over the following 24-hour period, with a chance for a >M5 flare.

The position of NOAA 13645 on 22-Apr-2024 at 16:00 UT is:

S09W43 , ( 643", -89" )

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 (Northumbria University)