A magnetic storm is occurring on Earth
The planet experienced its second magnetic storm of February overnight, currently rated at weak to moderate intensity. The event peaked around 5 a.m. Moscow time and reached a G1.3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
A huge smiley face appeared on the Sun
A huge smiley face measuring 1.5 million kilometers now represents the Sun.
Solar activity is rapidly falling to the bottom
The Sun is experiencing a rapid decline in activity. Currently, only two noteworthy active regions remain, which now form the two eyes of a huge smiley face, 1.5 million kilometers across. Neither region is energized.
The upcoming annular solar eclipse will be visible to only a few people on Earth
An annular solar eclipse—a rare astronomical phenomenon in which the Moon passes across the Sun's disk but is not large enough to completely cover it—will occur on Earth next Tuesday, February 17, from approximately 11:50 to 12:36 UTC.
Active solar region 4366 has broken the 21st century record for the number of strong flares
The NOAA catalog has just been updated. Active center 4366, currently visible from Earth, has been credited with three M-class flares. This means it now has 66 events.
The solar activity surge has ended
One of the most powerful solar flares of the 21st century, observed since early February, ended as suddenly as if someone had pulled a switch. Active region 4366, raging opposite Earth and just one event away from tying this century's record for the most powerful flares and two events away from breaking it, simply stopped producing flares.
The sun is one step away from a record
Active region 4366 needs to produce just two more M (or X) flares to break the 21st century activity record currently held by region 3664.
VIDEO: Active solar region 4366
Meditative video of area 4366 – timelapse from February 3rd to 5th
Active region 4366 has become the second-largest sunspot group in the 21st century in terms of the number of strong flares it has produced
As of midday on February 5, 58 strong M- and X-level flares have already occurred in sunspot group 4366, currently located opposite Earth. This is the second-highest number in the entire first quarter of the 21st century.
Magnetic storms have begun on Earth. Canada is experiencing top-level northern lights
The onset of planetary-scale magnetic storms is being recorded. Currently, the level is G1 (weak storms), but an increase to G2-G3 levels is possible within 24 hours.