The Sun's surface has been quite active overnight.
Region 4298 emitted an X1.1 flare at 05:01 UTC, 1.3x stronger than the M8.1 flare from region 4299 on 06 Dec. Since region 4298 is towards the eastern edge of the Sun, any associated CME is unlikely to impact earth.
Region 4299 has stayed active and there were two medium-strength flares at 00:10 and 6:54 UTC resp., not reported by SWPC yet.
For GOES-19 SUVI time-lapse videos, see https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goes-solar-ultraviolet-imager-suvi
7/n
Here is a link to a GOES-19 SUVI time-lapse video covering the past 11 hours. One can see eruptions of plasma that loop along the magnetic lines of force; some material falls back to the surface, other escapes into space.
https://helioviewer.org/?movieId=210Y5
8/n
The M8.1 solar flare that erupted from solar region 4299 at 2039 UTC on Saturday 06 December resulted in an earth-directed full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME).
The CME is expected to impact Earth early to midday UTC on Tuesday 09 December, potentially causing periods of G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storming. There is a good possibility of auroras before sunrise in N. America.
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
6/n
The Sun's surface has been quite active overnight.
Region 4298 emitted an X1.1 flare at 05:01 UTC, 1.3x stronger than the M8.1 flare from region 4299 on 06 Dec. Since region 4298 is towards the eastern edge of the Sun, any associated CME is unlikely to impact earth.
Region 4299 has stayed active and there were two medium-strength flares at 00:10 and 6:54 UTC resp., not reported by SWPC yet.
For GOES-19 SUVI time-lapse videos, see https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goes-solar-ultraviolet-imager-suvi
7/n
The Sun's region 4299 produced an M8.1 (R2/Moderate) at 2039 UTC today. An hour earlier, it produced an M1.1 (R1/Minor) flare at 1921 UTC.
This is the same region that rotated into view & produced an X1.9 flare on Dec 1 (an X1.9 flare is ~2.3x more energetic than an M8.1). It is now located just above the center of the Sun as seen from Earth. Any associated CME will be directed towards Earth. Geo-mag storms and auroras are likely on Dec 8-9.
https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/goes/SUVI.php?sat=G19
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
5/n
The M8.1 solar flare that erupted from solar region 4299 at 2039 UTC on Saturday 06 December resulted in an earth-directed full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME).
The CME is expected to impact Earth early to midday UTC on Tuesday 09 December, potentially causing periods of G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storming. There is a good possibility of auroras before sunrise in N. America.
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
6/n
NOAA SWPC is predicting a higher than anticipated G3-level geo-mag storm this evening due to the arrival of a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS).
This is unrelated to the recent X-class flares off the western edge of the Sun.
Coronal holes are cooler, less dense regions than the surrounding plasma. Their open, magnetic field line structure allows the solar wind to escape more readily into space, resulting in streams of relatively fast solar wind.
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
4/n
The Sun's region 4299 produced an M8.1 (R2/Moderate) at 2039 UTC today. An hour earlier, it produced an M1.1 (R1/Minor) flare at 1921 UTC.
This is the same region that rotated into view & produced an X1.9 flare on Dec 1 (an X1.9 flare is ~2.3x more energetic than an M8.1). It is now located just above the center of the Sun as seen from Earth. Any associated CME will be directed towards Earth. Geo-mag storms and auroras are likely on Dec 8-9.
https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/goes/SUVI.php?sat=G19
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
5/n
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is forecasting a G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm during December 3 and 4.
The coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with the X1.9 flare at 02:49 UT on December 1 from Region 4299 was aimed away from Earth but it is expected to deliver a glancing blow to our planet.
More details and animation of the graphic at https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
3/n
NOAA SWPC is predicting a higher than anticipated G3-level geo-mag storm this evening due to the arrival of a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS).
This is unrelated to the recent X-class flares off the western edge of the Sun.
Coronal holes are cooler, less dense regions than the surrounding plasma. Their open, magnetic field line structure allows the solar wind to escape more readily into space, resulting in streams of relatively fast solar wind.
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
4/n
The pink glow of the "Belt of Venus" surrounds ESO’s Paranal Observatory during a Chilean sunset.
The "Belt of Venus" appears as a pinkish glow just before sunrise or just after sunset over the horizon on the opposite side of the Sun. Below it is the dark band caused by the shadow of the Earth.
The name alludes to the cestus, a girdle or breast-band, of the Ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite, customarily equated with the Roman goddess Venus.
https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw2548a/
📷
J. Looten/ESO
1/n
3 December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to celebrate the contributions of persons with disabilities and to help build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-3-december
https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities
1/n
Way to go Costco!
Costco sues the Trump administration, seeking a refund of tariffs
Instead of bending the knee, it will kick the White House in its teeth.
👏
"The company noted a looming Dec. 15 deadline that could rule out the tariffs that have already been paid being refunded, even if the Supreme Court eventually upholds lower court rulings."
👏
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/costco-sues-trump-tariff-refunds-rcna246860
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cit.17331/gov.uscourts.cit.17331.2.0.pdf
#UsPol
1/n
Earlier this year, Costco and its shareholders overwhelmingly voted against proposals/threats from the White House targeting its DEI programs.
"Costco’s leadership reaffirmed that DEI isn’t just a box to check, it’s central to their employee strategy and rooted in the company’s core ethics."
👍
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/02/business/costco-apple-levi-shareholders-dei
https://www.diversityresources.com/dei-backlash-or-commitment-what-costco-and-target-reveal/
2/n
Way to go Costco!
Costco sues the Trump administration, seeking a refund of tariffs
Instead of bending the knee, it will kick the White House in its teeth.
👏
"The company noted a looming Dec. 15 deadline that could rule out the tariffs that have already been paid being refunded, even if the Supreme Court eventually upholds lower court rulings."
👏
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/costco-sues-trump-tariff-refunds-rcna246860
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cit.17331/gov.uscourts.cit.17331.2.0.pdf
#UsPol
1/n
Still from an animation from the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) of the X1.9 solar flare today.
The GIF is at https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/solar-cycle-25/2025/12/01/strong-flare-erupts-from-sun-6/
2/n
The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is forecasting a G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm during December 3 and 4.
The coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with the X1.9 flare at 02:49 UT on December 1 from Region 4299 was aimed away from Earth but it is expected to deliver a glancing blow to our planet.
More details and animation of the graphic at https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
3/n
AkaSci 🛰
️