Solar Update: The solar X-Ray background levels have been hovering near the C1 level for the last several hours, but only a few C-Class flares have taken place. Sunspots 1291,1293 and 1297 have rotated onto the western limb and 1289 and 1290 will soon follow this weekend. Sunspots 1292 and 1294 have faded away.There will remain the chance for an isolated M-Class event.
Sunspot Count: Again because of the amount of sunspot regions on the face of the sun, the official Sunspot number count for Sept 16 is 173. This is another new record for Cycle 24 . Before the past few days, the previous mark of 153 was set on 4/13/2011.
The daily sunspot number will now decrease because of multiple regions rotating onto the western limb and out of direct earth view.
Aurora Watch: The solar wind measured by the ACE Spacecraft increased from 400 km/s to near 550 km/s and this indicates a small CME impact. Minor geomagnetic storming may be possible within the next 12 hours. Be on the lookout for Aurora if you are very high in latitude.
