Hubble Examines a Busy Galactic Center

Images

Wednesday, 18 September 2024

This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image features the spiral galaxy IC 4709 located around 240 million light-years away in the southern constellation Telescopium. Hubble beautifully captures its faint halo and swirling disk filled with stars and dust bands.

Image Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, M. Koss, A, Barth

Planetary Positions

22.12.2024 at 09:22:58 UTC

Planet	Longitude
The Sun	01 Cap 01' 12"
The Moon	25 Vir 10' 32"
Mercury	09 Sag 20' 35"
Venus	17 Aqu 11' 42"
Mars	04 Leo 32' 28" R
Jupiter	14 Gem 20' 02" R
Saturn	13 Pis 51' 45"
Uranus	23 Tau 54' 06" R
Neptune	27 Pis 11' 29"
Pluto	00 Aqu 46' 43"

Solar Status

BZ Status:	3
Proton Density:	1.23
Proton Speed:	560.4 k/sec
KP Status:	2.33

Type	Dec 22	Dec 23	Dec 24
Active	20%	20%	30%
Minor	5%	5%	15%
Moderate	1%	1%	5%
Strong	1%	1%	1%
Kp Index Prediction
00-03UT	3.00	2.33	2.67
03-06UT	2.00	2.67	2.00
06-09UT	3.00	2.00	2.33
09-12UT	2.00	2.00	2.33
12-15UT	2.00	1.00	2.33
15-18UT	1.00	2.00	2.33
18-21UT	1.00	2.00	2.33
21-00UT	2.00	2.67	2.67
Solar Activity
Solar activity reached moderate levels. Region 3932 (S17E54, Ekc/beta) produced an impulsive M1.9 flare at 21/0038 UTC; the largest event of the period. Region 3927 (S08E25, Hsx/alpha) was split this period, with the lead spot maintaining the 3927 designation, and following intermediate and trailer spots being named new Region 3933 (S08E34, Dao/beta). Minor to moderate growth was observed in Regions 3928 (S14E34, Dai/beta), 3930 (S22W49, Cai/beta), 3932, and 3933.
Solar Wind
Solar wind parameters were mildly enhanced this period. Total field strength reached 9 nT and the Bz component varied between +/-8 nT. Solar wind speeds ranged between 450-560 km/s. Phi angle was predominantly oriented in the negative sector.
Energetic Particle
The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was elevated around 4 pfu, but remained below S1 (Minor) levels. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux was at normal to moderate levels. .Forecast... The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to remain below S1 (Minor) levels over 22-24 Dec. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to continue at normal to moderate levels through 24 Dec.

Hubble Examines a Busy Galactic Center

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