MM#003 Major Flare Watch

Dear RHESSI Collaborators,

NOAA 1618 has developed rapidly increasing its sunspot count, sunspot area, and magnetic complexity. 1618 is currently a large E-type/beta-gamma sunspot group with a magnetic delta configuration located within its central portion. 1618 was the source of 3 M-class events since the last message. The largest was an M3.5 at 11/21/15:30 UT. At this time we are implementing Max Millennium coordinated observing plan #003 (Region Likely To Produce A Major Flare). A major flare =/>M5 is possible in the next 24 to 48 hours. There is a slight chance of an X-class event as well if 1618 continues in strong growth phase.

The position of NOAA 1618 on November 21 at 14:00 UT is: N08E06 (Solar X = -100", Solar Y = 101")

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) Received on Wed Nov 21 2012 - 09:50:50 MST