Solar Watch — July 20, 2026 | 18:00 UTC

Solar Flare Activity — Last 12 Hours
Peak: M-class @ 14:36 UTC (1h 24min ago)
  M @ 14:35 UTC

☀ HELIOS SOLAR WATCH · 2026-07-20 16:00 UTC
Stable geomagnetic conditions; AR4493 showing moderate flaring activity.
SOLAR: UNSETTLED
GEO: QUIET

Active Regions
4
X-Ray
A/B (quiet)

Geomagnetic conditions remain quiet with a Kp-index of 1.0, though solar activity remains elevated due to flare production in active region AR4493. Earth’s magnetosphere is currently stable with no significant solar radiation storms or geomagnetic disturbances.

HMI Continuum Intensity

HMI Continuum · Visible Light

SUVI 304 — Extreme UV

SUVI 304Å · Extreme Ultraviolet

R0
Radio Blackouts
24h max: R0

S0
Solar Radiation
24h max: S0

G0
Geomagnetic Storm
24h max: G0

Planetary Kp-Index
1.0
0–9 scale · ≥5 = geomagnetic storm

F10.7 Solar Flux
129.0
sfu · >150 = high activity

The solar environment is characterized by stable conditions with a F10.7 radio flux of 129 sfu, indicating moderate solar output. A single M-class flare occurred in AR4493 earlier today, but it has not resulted in a terrestrial impact. Global geomagnetic activity remains low, and satellite operations are experiencing nominal conditions.

Key Metric

The 40% probability of M-class flares from AR4493 is the most important metric, as it represents the primary source of potential, albeit minor, radio frequency interference.

Expect geomagnetic conditions to remain quiet, with the Kp-index likely fluctuating between 1 and 2. While further C-class flares are highly probable, the likelihood of an M-class flare remains at 40%, which may cause minor, localized radio degradation on the sunlit side of Earth.

🌌 Aurora Outlook

Aurora visibility is not expected at mid-latitudes; current solar wind conditions are insufficient to push the auroral oval south of polar regions.

Region Location Class Flares C/M/X
AR4491 S12E09 Bxi/B 0/0/0
AR4492 N15E59 Dac/BG 0/0/0
AR4493 N05E10 Dai/BG 3/1/0
AR4489 S07W26 Cso/B 0/0/0
2026-07-20 14:42:01.780Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
2026-07-19 20:14:34.243Space Weather Message Code: WATA20
2026-07-19 12:04:04.020Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
2026-07-18 15:26:56.300Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
2026-07-17 18:22:33.660Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3

Monitor the magnetic complexity of AR4493 for any rapid evolution that could increase the probability of higher-magnitude solar flares.