MM#003 Major Flare Watch

Dear RHESSI Collaborators,

Solar flare activity continues at a high level. NOAA 1875 (N07W74) was the most active region in the past 24 hours producing 2 major flares (X1 event at 10/28/02:03 UT and an M5.1 event at 10/28/04:41 UT). 1875 very rapidly developed a strong delta configuration located in the large, leading penumbra late UT yesterday. The delta appears to have decayed somewhat following the X- and M- events. Target region NOAA 1882 was the source of 2 M-class events today. The largest was an M4.4 at 10/28/15:15 UT. 1882 is currently in growth phase adding sunspot area and count in its trailing portion where a strong delta configuration is located. The Major Flare Watch will continue today with 1882 as its target region. Both 1882 and 1875 have the potential to produce a major flare =/>M5 with a chance of an X-class event as well in the next 24 hours.

The position of NOAA 1882 on October 28 at 16:30 UT is: S08E24 (Solar X = -390", Solar Y = -206")

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)