Latest Helios Report

  • Solar Watch — May 18, 2026 | 06:00 UTC

    ☀ HELIOS SOLAR WATCH · 2026-05-18 04:00 UTC
    Quiet solar conditions persist with stable geomagnetic activity
    SOLAR: MODERATE
    GEO: QUIET

    Active Regions
    7
    X-Ray
    A/B (quiet)

    Solar activity remains at low levels with no significant geomagnetic storming expected over the next 24 hours. The solar disk currently hosts seven active regions, but none exhibit magnetic complexity sufficient to generate major eruptive events.

    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: G1

    Planetary Kp-Index
    2.3
    0–9 scale · ≥5 = geomagnetic storm

    F10.7 Solar Flux
    112.0
    sfu · >150 = high activity

    Geomagnetic conditions are quiet with Kp indices hovering near 2.3. The F10.7 solar radio flux is stable at 112 sfu, indicating moderate solar output, and X-ray flux remains within the background A/B-class levels. Despite the presence of seven active regions, current flare activity is limited to minor C-class emissions.

    Key Metric

    The current Kp index of 2.3 confirms that the magnetosphere is in a stable, quiet state with no immediate risk of geomagnetic disturbance.

    Geomagnetic activity is expected to settle further, transitioning from unsettled levels of Kp 3.3 to a quiet state of Kp 2.0 by late in the period. Flare activity will likely remain constrained to low-level C-class events, with only a 5% probability of M-class flares.

    🌌 Aurora Outlook

    Aurora visibility is not expected at mid-latitudes. Observers located at high latitudes may see minor activity as the K-index tapers off, but significant displays are unlikely given current planetary magnetic conditions.

    Region Location Class Flares C/M/X
    AR4436 N18W40 Hsx/A 2/0/0
    AR4442 S16E44 Cro/B 0/0/0
    AR4439 N06E52 Dao/B 1/0/0
    AR4443 S15E60 Bxo/B 0/0/0
    AR4441 N18E13 Dao/B 0/0/0
    AR4440 N17E54 Hax/A 0/0/0
    AR4438 N20W85 Dao/B 1/0/0
    2026-05-17 21:16:07.547Space Weather Message Code: SUM10R
    2026-05-17 16:12:50.913Space Weather Message Code: WATA20
    2026-05-17 08:40:01.130Space Weather Message Code: WARK04
    2026-05-17 08:16:10.487Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
    2026-05-16 21:34:00.863Space Weather Message Code: WATA20

    Monitor AR4439 and AR4440 as they transit the eastern limb, as their evolving magnetic morphology is the primary candidate for any potential increase in flare productivity.