• ARRL Solar Update

    From ARRL de WD1CKS@VERT/WLARB to QST on Fri May 22 20:21:39 2026
    05/22/2026

    Solar activity continued at low levels during the past 24 hours with
    four active regions on the visible disk. The largest events were a
    C1.0 on May 20 from the northeast limb and a C1.0/Sf, also on May 20,
    from Region 4439 that was accompanied by Type-III radio sweeps. This
    region was responsible for the majority of the period's activity,
    which otherwise included a B8.7 flare on May 20 from Region 4436.
    Region 4441 showed some development during the period while 4443
    remained stable. Coronal activity was observed in CCOR-1 imagery
    after May 20, but additional data is needed for further analysis.

    Solar wind parameters trended toward background conditions with
    speeds reaching a peak of 542 km/s on May 20 and then decreasing
    steadily throughout the reporting period, ending at ~450 km/s.
    ÿ
    Weekly Commentary on the Sun, the Magnetosphere, and the
    Earth's Ionosphere May 22 - May 28, 2026 by F. K. Janda, OK1HH

    The number of sunspot groups on the solar disk ranged from three to
    seven over the past week; their total area was not large, while their
    magnetic structure was relatively simple. Nevertheless, isolated
    C-class flares were recorded. In addition, there was even an M-class
    flare recordedÿ on Sunday, May 17 (in AR 4435 near the northwestern
    limb of the solar disk, peaking at 0339 UT). Thanks to the Solar
    Orbiter probe, however, we know that the situation will change.
    Because, in a location where there was no group of sunspots during
    the previous solar cycle, not only is there a group now, but it is
    also quite extensive. Its edge is already slowly beginning to appear
    on the southeastern limb of the solar disk. While a week later, we
    can expect the peak of activity within the current solar rotation.

    The geomagnetic field will be mostly quiet to unsettled in the coming
    days, after which its activity will rise, initially slightly-and a
    disturbance can be expected toward the end of the month. This will
    result in a generally favorable development for the ionosphere for
    the remainder of May. This includes increases in geomagnetic
    activity, during which, depending on the timing, MUF values may
    temporarily rise.

    The Predicted Planetary A Index for May 23 to May 29 is 5, 5, 5, 5,
    12, 10, and 8 with a mean of 7.The Predicted Planetary A Index for
    May 23 to May 29 is 5, 5, 5, 5, 12, 10, and 8 with a mean of 7.1. The
    Predicted Planetary K Index is 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 3, and 3 with a mean of
    2.6. 10.7 centimeter flux is 112, 112, 115, 115, 115, 120, and 125
    with a mean of 116.3.

    ÿ For more information concerning shortwave radio propagation, see http://www.arrl.org/propagation[1]ÿand the ARRL Technical Information
    Service web page at,ÿhttp://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals[2]. For
    an explanation of numbers used in this bulletin, see http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere[3]ÿ. Information and
    tutorials on propagation can be found at,ÿhttp://k9la.us/[4]ÿ.

    Also, check this:

    https://bit.ly/3Rc8Njt[5]

    "Understanding Solar Indices" from September 2002ÿQST.


    [1] http://www.arrl.org/propagation
    [2] http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals
    [3] http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere
    [4] http://k9la.us/
    [5] https://bit.ly/3Rc8Njt
    ---
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