Solar X-rays: Geomagnetic Field:

Thanks to n3kl.org

About the Solar X-ray status monitor

The X-ray Solar status monitor downloads data periodically from the NOAA Space Environment Center FTP server. The previous 24 hours of 5 minute Long-wavelength X-ray data from each satellite (GOES 8 and GOES 10) is analyzed, and an appropriate level of activity for the past 24 hours is assigned as follows:

• Normal: Solar X-ray flux is quiet (< 1.00e-6 W/m^2)
• Active: Solar X-ray flux is active (>= 1.00e-6 W/m^2)
• M Class Flare: An M Class flare has occurred (X-ray flux >= 1.00e-5 W/m^2)
• X Class Flare: An X Class flare has occurred (X-ray flux >= 1.00e-4 W/m^2)
• Mega Flare: An unprecedented X-ray event has occurred (X-ray flux >= 1.00e-3 W/m^2)
The designation "Mega Flare" was chosen by Kevin Loch when the status monitor was created on March 4, 1999. There is no "official" designation for flares in this range.

About the Geomagnetic Field status monitor

The Geomagnetic Field status monitor downloads data periodically from the NOAA Space Environment Center FTP server. The previous 24 hours of 3 hour Planetary Kp Index data is analyzed and an appropriate level of activity for the past 24 hours is assigned as follows:

• Quiet: the Geomagnetic Field is quiet (Kp < 4)
• Active: the Geomagnetic Field has been unsettled (Kp=4)
• Storm: A Geomagnetic Storm has occurred (Kp>4)

For information about solar storms visit the NOAA Space Environment Center website.