Solar Watch — July 18, 2026 | 06:00 UTC

☀ HELIOS SOLAR WATCH · 2026-07-18 04:00 UTC
Quiet Solar Conditions Persist with Moderate Radio Flux
SOLAR: QUIET
GEO: QUIET

Active Regions
2
X-Ray
A/B (quiet)

Solar activity remains at low levels with geomagnetic conditions holding steady at Kp 1.7. The sun is currently quiet, with no significant geomagnetic or radiation storms observed or expected.

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
1.7
0–9 scale · ≥5 = geomagnetic storm

F10.7 Solar Flux
136.0
sfu · >150 = high activity

The planetary K-index is currently at 1.7, indicating a magnetically quiet environment for Earth. Solar flux remains moderate at 136 sfu, providing stable conditions for satellite operations and radio communications. While two active regions are visible on the disk, solar flare activity is minimal, with only minor C-class output noted in the past 12 hours.

Key Metric

The F10.7 flux of 136 sfu is the most important metric, as it indicates a stable ionospheric environment beneficial for HF radio propagation and satellite drag management.

Geomagnetic activity is expected to stay in the quiet range, with the Kp-index peaking briefly at 2.67 before returning to quieter levels. No significant space weather disturbances are anticipated in the next 24 hours.

🌌 Aurora Outlook

Aurora visibility is restricted to high polar latitudes. There is no expectation of mid-latitude aurora displays during this period.

Region Location Class Flares C/M/X
AR4491 S11E50 Hrx/A 0/0/0
AR4489 S07E13 Cso/B 0/0/0
2026-07-17 18:22:33.660Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
2026-07-15 08:53:19.650Space Weather Message Code: WARK04
2026-07-15 05:58:03.170Space Weather Message Code: ALTK04
2026-07-15 05:54:15.747Space Weather Message Code: WARK04
2026-07-15 01:44:29.693Space Weather Message Code: WARK04

Monitor active region AR4491 for any sudden morphological changes or flux emergence, as it remains the primary candidate for potential C or M-class flare activity.