MM#003 Major Flare Watch

Dear Collaborators,

The active region complex (NOAA 2993/2994) target increased its spot count, spot area, and also somewhat increased its magnetic complexity but the target will switch to the southwestern limb where NOAA 2992 is located beyond the limb. It produced a limb occulted X2.2 event at 04/20/03:57 UT. 2992 also produced an M7.2 event at 04/20/01:36 UT. 2992 developed rapidly on and beyond the west limb during the past few days where it was impossible to ascertain its magnetic configuration. 2992 could produce another major flare in the next 24 hours. 2993/2994 could also produce a major flare.

The position of NOAA 2992 on April 20 at 13:00 UT is: S34W89 (Solar X =-792", Solar Y = -531")

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,

Bill Marquette (Helio Research)