Solar activity is declining, but the likelihood of strong flares remains
For the second day, the Sun has been recording a fairly rapid decrease in the level of flare activity, the peak of which occurred between December 8 and 10.
3I/ATLAS will not be visible to the naked eye even at its closest approach to Earth
With 3I/ATLAS's closest approach to Earth expected in just a week, reports are emerging of new possibilities for observing it with simple optical instruments or even the naked eye. In this regard, I'd like to point out several errors in these claims.
The expected approach of Mars and Venus to the Sun can be observed in images from space telescopes starting today
Both planets closest to Earth, Venus and Mars, which are currently moving towards an exceptionally rare conjunction with the Sun in early next year, have become visible today in images coming from the LASCO space coronagraphs and are now publicly available.
Sunspot complex 4294-4296-4298 enters the area of direct impacts on 3I/ATLAS
One of the largest sunspot complexes in the last decade and the largest this year, 4294–4296–4298, which appeared on the visible side of the Sun about 10 days ago, is now entering the zone of direct impacts on 3I/ATLAS
Some news at the moment
The Sun has been quite active this morning. Three strong M-level flares and one X-class event have already been recorded since the start of the day. This includes what appears to be the first M-level flare in seven days in the largest region of the year, 4294.
Black Explosion
A beautiful and rare "black" solar flare occurred tonight.
The largest solar spot complex of the year began to release energy, the first X flare occurred
An X-level solar flare (the exact event classification is X1.1) was recorded on the Sun at 05:01 UTC. The flare was impulsive and lasted only about 15 minutes.
Strong magnetic storms with a high probability of polar lights are forecast for December 9-10
Magnetic storms of the G2–G3 level (moderate to strong) are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 9 and 10, as a result of the plasma ejection coming to Earth after the M8.1 flare that occurred last night.
The M8.1 flare tonight was accompanied by a plasma ejection that will reach Earth on Tuesday, December 9
A double M-class flare, which occurred yesterday between 07:00 and 09:00 PM UTC, was accompanied by a fairly strong plasma ejection toward Earth. According to observations, the plasma cloud will reach our planet on Tuesday, December 9, approximately in the morning.
The largest sunspot complex in 2025 passes through the Sun-Earth line
Sunspot complex 4294-4296-4298, which appeared on the Earth-facing side of the Sun a week ago, is currently passing the central meridian and will pose the greatest danger to Earth over the next three days.