[Ips-dsgr] IPS Daily Report - 20 March 03

rwc rwc at ips.gov.au
Fri Mar 21 10:44:13 EST 2003


SUBJ: IPS DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT
ISSUED AT 20/2330Z MARCH 2003 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECAST CENTRE
SUMMARY FOR 20 MARCH AND FORECAST FOR 21 MARCH - 23 MARCH
STATUS INDICATORS SOL:* YELLOW *   MAG:* YELLOW *     ION: GREEN
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1A. SOLAR SUMMARY
Activity 20 Mar:  Moderate

Flares    Max     Fadeout    Freq.  Sectors
 M1/1F    1131UT  possible   lower  European

Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number for 20 Mar:  97/44


1B. SOLAR FORECAST
             21 Mar             22 Mar             23 Mar
Activity     Moderate           Low                Low
Fadeouts     Possible           None expected      None expected
10.7cm/SSN    95/41              95/41              95/41
COMMENT: Region 314 produced a high C-class and low M-class flare 
at 0221 and 1130UT respectively. Both were impulsive in natutre. 
No radio sweeps were reported in association with these events 
and no CME was observed in available LASCO imagery. This region 
is now at the extreme west solar limb, but could produce further 
M class activity today. The present high speed coronal hole wind 
stream effects are expected to decline after today. 



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2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY

Geomagnetic field for Australian Region 20 Mar: Quiet to Active 

Estimated Indices 20 Mar :  A   K           
   Australian Region      19   2334 4433
      Darwin              19   2334 4433
      Townsville          20   2334 4444
      Learmonth           26   2334 5543
      Canberra             -   ---- ----
      Hobart              23   1345 4434
      Casey(Ant)          19   3--4 4333
    
Observed Regional daily pc3 Indices 20 MAR : 
      Townsville           6   (Quiet)
      Learmonth           NA
      Canberra            NA
      Hobart              54   (Unsettled)
Pc3 pulsations are high frequency (10-45 second period) variations 
of the Earths magnetic field. Daily pc3 indices are the daily sum 
of 20 minute pc3 indices for that station.

Estimated AFr/Ap Indices 20 Mar : A 
           Fredericksburg        15
           Planetary             20                         

Observed AFr/Ap Indices 19 Mar :  A   K
           Fredericksburg         9
           Planetary             14   4433 3332     


2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST 
Date      Ap    Conditions
21 Mar    20    active 
22 Mar    15    Unsettled to Active 
23 Mar    15    Unsettled to Active 
COMMENT: Unsettled to active conditions were observed at all 
latitudes under the influence of the present high speed coronal 
hole wind stream. Minor storm conditions observed briefly at 
high latitudes during the middle part of the UT day. This may 
have been a result of enhanced solar wind parameters, which was 
possibly the anticipated minor shock signature from recent X-calss 
flare activity. Coronal hole wind stream effects are expected 
to decline after today. 

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3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY
	            Latitude Band
Date        Low            Middle         High 
20 Mar      Normal-fair    Normal-poor    Fair-poor      
PCA Event : No event.

3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST
	            Latitude Band
Date        Low            Middle         High 
21 Mar      Poor-normal    Poor-normal    Poor-fair     
22 Mar      Normal         Normal         Normal-fair   
23 Mar      Normal         Normal         Normal-fair   
COMMENT: Increased absorption was observed at mid to high latitudes 
due to proton flux enhancement following recent X-class solar 
flares. Periods of disturbance were observed at all latitudes 
due to coronal hole induced geomagnetic activity. Ionospheric 
depressions observed at all latitudes overnight and after local 
dawn today. Coronal hole effects are expected to decline after 
21 Mar. There is a possibility of SWF's today due to recent solar 
flare activity. 
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4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY


Date   T index
20 Mar    78

Observed Australian Regional MUFs
   Equatorial PNG Region:
      Mostly near predicted monthly values,
      Depressed by 20% after local dawn.
   Northern Australian Region:
      Mostly near predicted monthly values,
      Depressed by 30% after local dawn.
   Southern Australian and New Zealand Region:
      Mostly near predicted monthly values,
      Depressed by 35% after local dawn.
   Antarctic Region (Casey/Scott Base):
      Extended periods of disturbance over the UT day.


Predicted Monthly T index for March:  82

4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST
Date   T index  MUFs
21 Mar    65    10 to 20% below predicted monthly values 
22 Mar    90    Near predicted monthly values 
23 Mar   100    Near predicted monthly values 
COMMENT: As coronal hole wind stream effects persist into today, 
generally lower than normal MUFs are anticipated. Southern Aus/Antarctic 
regions can expect extended periods of disturbance in association 
with geomagnetic activity. Coronal hole wind stream effects are 
expected to decline after today. Short wave fadeouts are possible 
due to enhanced proton flux. 
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5. SPACE ENVIRONMENT SUMMARY

GOES satellite data for 19 Mar
       Daily Proton Fluence >1 MeV:   2.8E+06
       Daily Proton Fluence >10 MeV:  1.5E+04
       Daily Electron Fluence >2 MeV: 2.20E+08 (moderate)
       X-ray background: B3.6
Fluence (flux accumulation over 24hrs)/ cm2-ster-day.

ACE Satellite Solar Wind Day Averaged Data for 19 Mar
Speed: 699 km/sec  Density:    1.4 p/cc  Temp:   243000 K  Bz:   1 nT

(Courtesy Space Environment Center, Boulder USA)
ACE data can be incorrect during strong proton events.
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