HELIOS-71

This Helios Newsletter continues a series of newsletters under the same name as above and that were issued as the newsletter of the
Solar Section of the Norwegian Astronomical Society.
Helios no. 1 was issued on 2nd May 1979
and ended almost simultaneously as I resigned as the leader of that section, i.e. in August 1989.
Now I bring it to life again, started where I left it. (01Mar1998)
Comments? Post them!

CV-Helios Network

The Director and his Assistant

Kjell Inge Malde

Our organization of observers have only one coordinator being responsible for maintaining the system and the contact with members worldwide. A very interesting and giving task.
In order to assure that the observing system CV after Malde, named after himself, is being protected and given a life amongst the amateur solar observers around the world, it has now since long been Malde's idea to open up for an eventual assistance in some way, for absence or may be for a relief, in e.g. holidays.

Kjell Inge Malde
Name:
Kjell Inge Malde
Stavanger
Norway
Tel.: 47 51 549058

Born: 30 Nov 1952

Kjell Inge Malde was the youngest of four boys in the family that always lived in the town of Stavanger, Norway. At the age of about 7, strolling along the streets together with parents at starry nights, made him ask a lot of questions about the heavens. His father, a good source in astronomy, could tell him lots of things. What he could not tell, the encyclopedias told, and they were used very well. He also gave lectures at school in his last school-years.

Later on, quite a few books were bought by means given to him, and the interest in astronomy in general grew. He was especially concerned about the planets and their moons, the galaxies, but also a great interest in space exploration. Clip albums from local and abroad newspapers contained lots and lots of clippings from the Lunar Explorer, Gemini and Apollo missions and also on the mystic russian missions like Sputnik, Vostok, Venera missions and a lot more.

In 1967 his interest was especially awakened on the sun and the sunspots, and his first telescope, a spotting scope was bought July 1967. After this time, friendships were made with some young boys in 1968, and the year after 5 of them formed the Stavanger Astronomical Society. Kjell Inge Malde has there had positions like foreman, secretary, cashier, editor of the magazine Astro, and also, most of the time, was an observation
leader. He withdraw from the society in 1975, but has had a few info nights later on.

In 1975 he became the leader of the Scandinavian Union of Amateur Astronomers, SUAA's Solar Section, where he had that postion for 1 year. The SUAA later on ceased to exist.

In 1976, he became the leader of the Solar Section, "Solgruppen" of the Norwegian Astronomical Society. He had that position until 1989, but also in the year 1999, attempting a CV 'commercial' over Norway, which proved to be more succesful later on.

Also in 1976, thoughts over a new sunspot measuring method began to form, and Zürich/McIntosh-classifications were studied for the first time from the Prompt Reports of the NOAA in Bouloder, Colorado. In July 1978 the 'project' on investigation began, and contacts with Patrick S. McIntosh was established, and also with Dr. Rainer Beck in Germany. The latter one had then just established his Neue Relativzahlen nach Beck and further interest in own system was made. The puzzling came to an end August 15 in 1981, when the CV, Classification Values after Malde was declared 'official'. By that time, he already had two or three observers in the NAS who were trying out the trial system.

In 1982, the system was introduced via the norwegian Amatørastronomen, and in 1985 in the german magazine Sonne. In this magazine we have had, and still have cooperation there.
Around year 1990 some members had dropped out, but after this a few more came to.
In September 1997, CV-Helios Network went on the internet, and the number of members grew dramatically.
Today we are 105 members, Active and Passive and a few Honorable.
Out of these members, nearly half, or 49, have been our active observers in 2003 and we hope for a volume of more than 7000 observations from about 25 countries during 2003.

He has held astronomy courses for among others, scouts and schools.
Malde has also published the magazine Helios in the NAS-period, from 1979 to 1989. This is now a net-magazine under CV-HN.
In 1986 and 1987 the book "The Greatest SunspotRegions in Solar Cycle 21 was issued and marketed for sale to a lot of amateur astronomers around the world.
In the later years he has developed macros and programming for CV-HN's Assembly sheets and Databases.

He is married to Rita and they have two grown up children living in the same town.

He has performed 4602 CV-observations since 15 August 1981, coverage 57%.

German Morales Chavez

Effective from August 2003, the Director of CV-Helios Network has decided that German Morales (CV-038) of Bolivia will be our new CV-Assistant.

In order to secure and ensure the continuation of the work at CV-Helios Network and at the same time trying to extend and improve all our issues, we find it timely to let CV-Helios Network's future work be at at least two responsible persons, and not only on one which has been the situation ever since the start in August 1981.

I would like to introduce our new assistant with his own words:

German Morales

Name:
German Morales Chavez
Cochabamba
Bolivia
Tel.: 591 4 4280602

Born: 29 Dec 1961

His interest in astronomy started when he was about 6 years old; the Apollo 11 moon landing and previous missions that he saw on TV, movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, his first Physics book that he asked his parents to buy to him when I was 8 years old, and other books and newspaper articles that he got and read, stamp on his passion for science and specially astronomy.

The first years he lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina and he paid a visit to the Planetarium, after many months of insistence. To Bolivia he came some years after, when he was 14, He participated in a Astronomy course taught by Dr. Max Schreier, the scientific alternatives
here, at that time, was poor and he saw that effort to build and astronomical activity was crucial, then Astronomia Sigma Octante born.

Dr. Schreier becomes German's friend and offers him a lot of guide and advice to learn and grow his astronomy activities.

He has studied scientific programming and system engineering, worked in the Computing National Centre for many years, worked in some industry projects and developed control systems and so on, and working with software and hardware issues.

The astronomy part started later in the 1970's with some observations of the Sun and with some drawings from early 1980's, and it is in 1991 that he decided to work with sunspot observations regularly and improve it for the next years.

German has also made observations of comets, meteors, planets, occultations, eclipses and so on, but he spent lot of time trying to reach a more automated and realiable work, developing software and hardware to help the astronomical activities in ASO. He enjoys working in topics related with spherical astronomy, ephemeris, catalogs and so on.

The teaching of astronomy is an important task to him, very important for the community in Bolivia. He has produced radio programs about science and culture (for some years in the 1980's), and held courses for all audiences, and has written in newspapers, and has tought some introductory courses in the Universidad Catolica Bolivia, and made a lot of expositions for public, issued astronomy bulletins and so on.

Also, German is a member of the Fundacion para las Ciencias in Cochabamba, and in 2003, with this foundation they can have opened to public a small Natural History Museum.

German has been a member of CV-Helios Network since 01 October 1997, and has since then submitted 1717 CV-observations, a coverage of over 80% of the days! He has also, in 1998, translated the page "CV - CLASSIFICATION VALUES after Malde - the ultimate measure of Solar activity" into spanish.

CV-Assistant's Email address to German Morales
assistant@cv-helios.net

Extracts from Preliminary Report and Forecast, SEL, Boulder, CO. USA:
SWO PRF: Online Weekly in Adobe Acrobat(R) format
HELIOS 71
MARCH - JULY/AUGUST 2003
Activity 01 March 2003 - 12 August
===========================================================

Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1437
17 - 23 March 2003 25 March 2003
Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. The most significant region during the period was
Region 314 (S14, L=60, class/area/mag. Eki/500/Bgd on 18 March). The region was in a rapid
growth phase on 17 - 18 March and was the source of most of the activity during the period. On 17
and 18 March, Region 314 produced two X1.5/1b flares, one at 17/1905 UTC and the second at
18/1208 UTC. The X1.5 flare on 18 March was associated with a Type II (507 km/s) and Type IV
radio burst, a ten-centimeter radio burst (1400 sfu), and a full halo CME. Region 314 also produced
two M-class events and numerous C-class events on 18 March. Activity declined to moderate levels
on 19 March with four M-class flares from Region 314, the largest an M3.7/1n at 19/0953 UTC.
Moderate levels persisted through 20 March as Region 314 produced an M1/1f flare. Region 314
entered a slight decay phase on 19 March and rotated beyond the west limb on 21 March. For the
remainder of the period, 21 - 23 March, activity was at low levels with numerous B-class and minor
C-class flare from Region 314.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1437
24 - 30 March 2003 01 April 2003
Solar activity was very low to low. Low levels were observed on 24 March with B-class and low Cclass
activity from Region 321 (N04, L=215, class/area/mag. Eac/370/Bgd on 27 March). Activity
decreased to very low levels on 25 March with just occasional B-class flares from Region 321. The
period (26 - 28 March) saw a return to low levels with occasional low C-class flares, primarily from
Regions 321 and 322 (N19, L=348, class/area/mag. Hsx/60/A on 27 March). Region 321 developed a
weak magnetic delta configuration early on 27 March, but produced only minor activity for the
remainder of the period. Regions 318 (S14, L=243, class/area/mag. Dao/90/B on 29 March) and 323
(S08, L=225, class/area/mag. Dai/230/Bg on 30 March) emerged rapidly on 29 March and between
them, produced several moderate to high C-class flares, including a C8/1f flare from Region 318. Both
regions appeared to mature by 30 March and were responsible for the few small C-class flares
observed on 30 March.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1440
31 March - 06 April 2003 08 April 2003
Solar Activity was at low to moderate levels. The period began on 31 March through 01 April with
minor C-class activity from Region 318 (S13, L=244, class/area Dai/60 on 30 March). On 02 - 06
April, Region 324 (S11, L=189, class/area Dac/340 on 04 April) was the source of most of the
activity. Region 324 produced a C3/Sf and a C6/1f flare on 02 and 03 April respectively. The largest
event of the period was an M1/1f from Region 324 on 04 April at 2019 UTC. A partial halo CME
was associated with this event as seen in LASCO imagery. On 05 and 06 April, Region 324 produced
a C6 and C5 flare respectively. Region 324 was in a growth phase early in the period and developed a
beta-gamma-delta configuration on 04 April. By the end of the period, this region was in decay.
Other regions of note during the period were Region 321 (N05, L=211, class/area Eac/320 on 27
March), and Region 325 (N10, L=165, class/area Ehi/360 on 02 April). Region 321 was in gradual
decay for most of the period but produced four minor C-class flares on 04 April. Region 325 was one
of the largest regions on the disk but has been relatively stable during the period.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1441
07 - 13 April 2003 15 April 2003
Solar activity ranged from very low to moderate levels. The period began on 07-08 April with low
and very low activity, respectively. On 09 April, Region 326 (S12, L=156, class/area Dao/90 on
09 April) exhibited rapid growth as it approached the west limb and produced an M2.5/1f flare at
2329 UTC with an associated Type II radio sweep and a ten-flare radio burst. A narrow CME was
also associated with the M2 but did not appear to be Earth directed. Region 326 also produced
numerous B and C-class flares on 09 April as it rotated beyond the west limb. Activity on 10 April
was at very low levels. Low level activity was observed on 11 April due to a C7 flare from Region
326 beyond the west limb. Region 330 (N08, L=80, class/area Dko/420 on 09 April) was the largest
region on the disk during the period and developed a beta-gamma magnetic configuration on 08 April.
Region 330 was the source of most of the activity for the last two days of the period resulting in very
low and low level activity on 12 and 13 April, respectively.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1442
14 - 20 April 2003 22 April 2003
Solar activity ranged from very low to moderate levels. The period began with low level activity on 14 April
and very low activity on 15 - 17 April. Region 337 (S12, L= 245, class/area Dko/340 on 20 April) rotated onto
the visible disk on 18 April in a growth phase, developing both area coverage and magnetic complexity through
20 April. On 18 April, activity reached moderate levels with Region 337 producing an M1/Sf flare at 1958
UTC. At the end of the period, 19 - 20 April, activity returned to low levels. Early on 19 April, a long
duration C1 flare was observed on the east limb. On 20 April, Region 339 (N18, L=338, class/area Cso/20 on
20 April) appeared on the disk and rapidly developed a beta-gamma magnetic configuration. Activity from
Region 339 consisted of low C-class flares, the largest being a C4/Sf at 1923 UTC on 20 April.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1443
21 - 27 April 2003 29 April 2003
Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. The period was marked by significant activity from Region 338
(N18, L=285, class/area Eac/250 on 26 April), which produced nine M-class flares and numerous C-class
flares. The largest event during the period was an M7 flare on 26 April as described below. Region 339 (N18,
L=338, class/area Cso/60 on 23 April) was also very active, producing twelve C-class flares as it transited the
west limb on 23 - 24 April. Region 346 (N16, L=165, class/area Cso/60 on 26 April) rotated onto the visible
disk on 24 April as a small magnetically simple spot group, but produced an M-class flare on the 25th. Region
349 (S14, L= 154, class/area Dao/150 on 27 April) appeared on the visible disk late in the period and was in a
significant growth phase through the end of the period.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1444
28 April - 04 May 2003 06 May 2003
Solar activity ranged from low to moderate levels. Region 349 (S14, L= 154, class/area Ekc/1120 on 01 May)
was the largest spot group of the period and exhibited significant growth through most of the period. However,
activity from this region was low, producing only C-class flares.
The period began on 28 April with low level activity due to a C4/Sf flare from Region 337 (S14, L=240,
class/area Dac/270 on 28 April). Moderate levels were observed on 29 April with an M1/1f flare from Region
337 at 0459 UTC. Region 337 rotated beyond the west limb on 01 May. Activity was at low levels on 30
April - 01 May. Nearly all of the C-class activity on these two days was from Region 349 with the largest flare
a C5/Sf on 01 May. Region 345 (S17, L=167, class/area Dao/130 on 02 May) produced a long duration M1/Sf
flare on 02 May. This region was of moderate complexity and developed an east-west inversion line on 01 -
02 May. On 03 - 04 May, activity returned to low levels with minor C-class flares.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1445
05 - 11 May 2003 13 May 2003
Solar activity was at very low to low levels. Activity was at low levels for the first five days of the period, 05 -
09 May. The largest event during this time was a C5 flare at N17 from a region on the east limb at 2049 UTC
on 07 May. The majority of activity during the period came from Region 349 (S15, L=154, class/area/mag.
Ekc/1030/Bg on 04 May). This region was the largest spot group on the disk and produced at least 12 C-class
flares. Region 348 (S34, L=149, class/area/mag. Fki/560/Bg on 06 May) contributed to activity levels on 06 -
08 May with minor C-class flares. Region 345 (S17, L=167, class/area/mag. Dao/130/Bg on 02 May), 349 and
348 rotated beyond the west limb on 06 May, 07 May, and 08 May respectively. A ten-degree disappearing
solar filament was observed on 07 May near S10W18 at 1342 UTC and an eleven-degree filament near
S34W14 disappeared at 2145 UTC. A faint narrow CME was associated with the ten-degree DSF. Activity
on the 10 - 11 May was at very low levels.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1446
12 - 18 May 2003 20 May 2003
Solar activity was at very low to low levels. Activity was at very low levels for the first six days of the
period, 12 - 17 May, with occasional B-class flares from several small, unimpressive regions. Activity
reached low levels on 18 May due to a C1 flare at 1057 UTC from Region 357 (S16, L=304,
class/area Dso/80 on 13 May). On 15 May, Region 362 (N11, L=244, class/area Dao/240 on 16 May)
rotated onto the visible disk and represented the largest region on the disk during the period.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1447
19 - 25 May 2003 27 May 2003
Solar activity was at very low to low levels. The period began on 19 May with very low levels.
Activity increased to low levels on 20 - 22 May. Region 364 (S24, L=295, class/area Dso/100 on 20
May) produced three C-class flares on 20 May. Region 362 (S12, L=245, class/area Dao/110 on 21
May) produced four C-class flares on 22 May. The largest event of the period was a C4 flare from
Region 362 on 22 May at 0542 UTC. Activity on 23 - 24 May decreased to very low levels. The
period ended on 25 May with low levels due to a C3 flare from Region 368 (S32, L=160, class/area
Hax/180 on 22 May). As the period ended, Region 365 (S08, L=181, class/area Dai/190 on 25 May)
entered a rapid growth phase.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1448
26 May - 01 June 2003 03 June 2003
Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. The period began at moderate levels with Region 365 (S07, L=182,
class/area/mag. Dkc/880/Bgd on 29 May) producing two M-class flares on 26 May. The first, an M1/1f at 0550 UTC, was
associated with a Type IV radio sweep. The second, an M1 flare at 1637 UTC, was associated with a slow, faint halo CME
as seen in LASCO imagery. Region 365 was in a rapid growth phase from 26 - 29 May and developed multiple delta
configurations. On 27 May, Region 365 produced two M-class flares and an X1/2b at 2307 UTC. The X1 was associated
with a Tenflare (910 SFU), and Type II (650 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps. High activity levels continued on 28 May
when Region 365 produced the largest event of the period, an X3/2b at 0027 UTC with an associated Tenflare (1600 SFU),
Type II (392 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps. The intense metric and centimetric bursts associated with this X3 flare
included perhaps the largest 245 MHz burst on record - maxing out sensors near 490,000 SFU. Analysis of LASCO
imagery indicated that both of these X-class flares produced full halo CMEs. This region also produced eight C-class events
on 28 May. Region 365 produced a third X-class event on 29 May - an X1/2b at 0105 UTC. Associated with this event
were Type II (1170 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps, and a halo CME as seen in LASCO imagery. Region 368 (S32,
L=152, class/area/mag. Dao/140/B on 29 May) produced two M-class flares on 29 May: an M1/1f at 0218 UTC and an
M2/1n at 1937 UTC. The M2 event was associated with a Type II (430 km/s) and Type IV radio sweep. The low activity
levels observed on 30 May abruptly ended on 31 May with the onset of another major flare from Region 365. The M9/2b
erupted at 31/0224 UTC and was accompanied by a mostly southwest-directed CME. The end of the period (01 June) was
marked by the arrival of another considerably active sunspot group - Region 375 (N11, L=023, class/area/mag. Dao/140/B
on 01 Jun), which produced three M1 flares on 1 June. Its proximity to the east limb is likely masking this region's true size
and complexity.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1449
02 - 08 June 2003 10 June 2003
Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. The period began on 02 June with high levels of activity
from Region 365 (S07, L=182, class/area Dkc/880 on 29 May) and moderate levels of activity from
Region 375 (N13, L=22, class/area Ekc/800 on 08 June). Although Region 365 rotated around the
west limb early on 01 June it still produced an M6 flare at 02/0022 UTC, with an associated Type II
(700 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps as well as moderate level metric and centimetric radio bursts.
Just hours later, an M3 erupted from the same region at 0837 UTC with an associated Type IV radio
sweep. Both flares produced CMEs, but neither appeared to have any earthbound component. The
day ended with two M1 flares one from Region 365 and the other from Region 375. Activity on
03 - 05 June was at low levels with the majority of activity coming from Region 375. This region
was the largest and most complex group on the visible disk during the period. On 06 June, Region
375 entered a significant growth phase and developed a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration.
Late on 06 June, an M1 flare was observed from Region 375 at 2338 UTC with an associated Type II
(383 km/s) radio sweep. Activity returned to low levels on 07 June with six C-class flares from
Region 375. Region 380 (S15, L=308, class/area Eki/550 on 08 June) rotated onto the visible disk on
07 June exhibiting steady growth and increasing magnetic complexity (beta-gamma). Activity from
Region 380 reached moderate levels on 08 June with an impulsive M4 flare at 1611 UTC.
Region 375 produced mid to high level C-class flares on 08 June and maintained its beta-gamma-delta
magnetic configuration.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1450
09 - 15 June 2003 17 June 2003
Solar activity ranged from moderate to high levels. Region 375 (N12, L=026, class/area Fkc/1250 on 11 June)
was the largest and most complex region of the period and was the primary source of major flare activity. This
region exhibited steady growth during its transit and had a strong beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration
when it rotated beyond the west limb on 14 June. Activity on 09 - 12 June was at high levels due to numerous
M-class and three X-class events from Region 375. On 09 June, the largest event of the period occurred, an
X1.7 flare at 2139 UTC with an associated ten-flare. SOHO/LASCO imagery observed a CME associated with
this event; however, the CME was directed toward the northwest and did not appear to be Earth bound. Other
notable activity on 09 June included an M4/1n flare at 1125 UTC with an associated Type II (666 km/s) radio
sweep. Region 375 produced ten M-class flares on 10 June with two flares greater than M5; an M5.1/1n at
1115 UTC and an M5.6/Sf at 1815 UTC. On 11 June, Region 375 continued producing major activity with an
X1.3/2b and an X1.6/1n at 0002 UTC and 2014 UTC respectively. The X1.6 was associated with a Type II
radio sweep (490 km/s). A twenty-seven degree solar filament near S37E12 erupted on 11 June at 1730 UTC.
Activity on 12 June consisted of four M-class flares from Region 375, the largest an M7/1f at 0130 UTC.
Moderate levels of activity were observed on 13 - 14 June with three M-class events from Region 375 on 13
June and an M1 flare from a new region beyond the southeast limb on 14 June. The new region beyond the
southeast limb is likely old Region 365 (S07, L=181) which was very active during its last rotation. At the time
of this report this new Region has been designated as Region 386 (S07, L=187, class/area Dao/190 on 16
June). Activity was high on 15 June due to an X1/Sf from Region 386 at 2356 UTC. Associated with this Xclass
event was a Type II (841 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps as well as a full halo CME.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1451
16 - 22 June 2003 24 June 2003
Solar activity ranged from very low to high levels. The period began on 16 June with moderate
activity from Region 386 (S07, L=187, class/area Ekc/290 on 18 June), which included two M1 flares.
Region 386 developed a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration on 18 June and maintained it
through the end of the period. Activity increased to high levels on 17 June with an M6 flare at 2255
UTC from Region 386. The M6 event was associated with a Type II (1000 km/s) and Type IV radio
sweep and a full halo CME. On 18 - 19 June activity was at very low levels. Regions 386 and 388
(S03, L=211 class/area Eai/140 on 21 June) produced low level activity on 20 - 22 June with the
largest flare a C2/Sf at 1313 UTC on 21 June from Region 388. Region 388 developed near center
disk on 19 June and produced minor C-class flares on 21 - 22 June.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1452
23 - 29 June 2003 01 July 2003
Solar activity was at very low to low levels. Activity on day one of the period was at very low levels
and for the remainder of the period activity was at low levels. Region 386 (S07, L=187, class/area
Ekc/290 on 18 June) began the period in gradual decay, simplifying to a beta-gamma configuration on
23 June and by 27 June was no longer visible. Region 391 (N14, L=164, class/area Dao/190 on 26
June) developed rapidly on 23 June to an area of 290 millionths with a beta magnetic configuration.
This region was the source of low level activity on 24 June, producing four C-class flares. The growth
rate of Region 391 slowed on 25 - 26 June and the region entered decay phase on 27 June. Activity
on 25 - 27 June came from Region 397 (N12, L=034, class/area Fho/790 on 29 June) beyond the
northeast limb. Activity included a long duration C3 on 25 June at 1632 UTC and a C3 on 27 June at
0321 UTC. The largest flare of the period was an impulsive C4 at 0656 UTC on 28 June from Region
391. The period ended with a C3 flare at 1101 UTC on the west limb, most likely Region 387 (N18,
L=169, class/area Eao/270 on 22 June).
============
Internet-issue of SWO PRF 1453 not available due to error
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1454
07 - 13 July 2003 15 July 2003
Solar activity was at low to moderate levels. Activity on 07 - 08 July was at low levels with minor C-class
flares predominantly from Regions 397 (N11, L=033 class/area Fkc/930 on 06 July) and 400 (N05, L=351,
class/area Eki/290 on 06 July). On 07 July, Region 397 began to decay, lost its delta magnetic configuration by
08 July, and rotated beyond the east limb on 10 July. On 08 July, a large filament in the northwest quadrant
erupted in parts: a 23-degree section near N30W22 erupted early in the period and a 21-degree section near
N38W38 erupted at 08/1500Z. Region 397 produced moderate activity on 09 - 10 July with an M2 on 09 July
at 2238 UTC and an M3 on 10 July at 1412 UTC. The M3 was the largest event of the period and was
associated with a Type II radio sweep (1030 km/s). Activity was at low levels on 11 July. Before Region 409
(N16, L=194, class/area Eao/250 on 13 July) rotated around the east limb it produced an M1 flare on 12 July at
1906 UTC. This M1 flare was associated with a Type II radio sweep (659 km/s) and centimetric radio bursts.
Activity was at low levels on 13 July.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1455
14 - 20 July 2003 22 July 2003
Solar activity was at low levels. Several moderate sized regions dominated the visible disk and
produced numerous C-class flares. Region 409 (N15, L=193, class/area Fkc/490 on 15 July) was
prominent early in the period, producing several C-class flares including a C8 at 14/0120 UTC.
Activity on 15 - 16 July consisted of minor C-class flares from Regions 409 and 410 (S12, L=194,
class/area Eac/620 on 20 July). On 16 July, Region 412 (N16, L=202 class/area Dai/200 on 17 July)
appeared on the visible disk and exhibited steady growth for the next two days. By 17 July, it
produced a C9/1n flare at 0823 UTC with associated Type II (988 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps. A
faint halo CME was seen but faded within the LASCO/C2 field of view. Decay noted in Region 409
on 18 July was offset by significant development in Region 410, and to a lesser extent Region 412.
Region 410 exhibited considerable growth and developed a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration
on 19 - 20 July. The period 18-20 July was highlighted by frequent C-class flares, primarily from
Regions 410, 412, and a new region that emerged rather quickly on 20 July - Region 417 (S22, L=204
class/area Dso/110 on 20 July).
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1456
21 - 27 July 2003 29 July 2003
Solar activity was at low levels. Region 410 (S13, L=195 class/area Eki/800 on 22 July) produced several Cclass
flares early on the 21st, but transitioned into a decay phase by 22 July and flare production ceased. A 16-
degree NE-SW filament erupted from near disk center at around 21/0900Z. Faint ejecta were observed on
LASCO imagery, but the event was not expected to be geoeffective. Region 417 (S21, L=206 class/area
Dai/360 on 22 July), which emerged rather quickly on 20 July, was responsible for several C-class flares before
rotating around the west limb on 24 July. Active Regions 409 (N15, L=193 class/area Fkc/490 on 15 July) and
412 (N16, L=202 class/area Dac/200 on 20 July) also produced occasional C-class flares through the 24th.
Low levels persisted through the 25th due to a single long duration C1 flare that likely originated from the east
limb. Solar activity decreased to very low levels on the 26th and 27th. New Region 421 (S08, L=359
class/area Hax/030 on 27 July) rotated into view late in the period. Limb proximity is hindering a good
analysis, but this region appears to be quite active.
A waning high speed solar wind stream was in effect early in the period. Speeds near 600 km/s declined to 450
km/s by late on the 21st. Near nominal solar wind conditions persisted through the 22nd. A weak transient
impact was observed at ACE on the 23rd; solar wind speed increased to over 500 km/s and periods of sustained
southward Bz occurred. Solar wind speed gradually declined to very low levels just above 300 km/s by the
25th. A strong co-rotating interaction region (CIR) on 26 July, hailed the onset of a large recurrent southern
coronal hole stream. Total field measurements in the CIR were over 35 nT, and the Bz component experienced
sustained southward periods near -30 nT. The solar wind speed associated with this high speed stream was
approximately 800 km/s, and generally ranged between 550 - 800 km/s for the remainder of the period.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1457
28 July - 03 August 2003 05 August 2003
Solar activity was at low to moderate levels. A moderately complex beta-gamma configuration was evident in
Region 421 (S08, L=355 class/area Eao/310 on 29 July) on the 28th and occasional minor C-class flares were
noted. Activity increased to moderate levels on 29 July when Region 421 produced an M1/1f at 0139 UTC.
Region 422 (N14, L=103 class/area Dao/200 on 29 July) also emerged quite quickly on the 28th and was
responsible for low C-class flares on the 28th and 29th. Moderate levels were again observed on 30 July as
Region 422 produced an M2/1b flare at 0410 UTC, with associated centimetric bursts including a 190 sfu
Tenflare. Activity decreased to low levels on 31 July and 01 August. Both Region 421 and 422 entered a
decay phase on the 30th that continued through the end of the period. On 01 August, new Region 424 (S18,
L=291, class/area Dki/580 on 03 August) rotated onto the visible disk. Region 424 produced at least six Cclass
flares on 01 August with the largest one a C5 at 0126 UTC. Region 424 continued a rapid growth phase
on 02 - 03 August and produced moderate level activity on 02 August with an M1/1f at 2354 UTC. LASCO
imagery indicates a full halo CME associated with the M1 event, however further analysis suggests that the
halo may be from a backside event. The period ended on 03 August with minor C-class activity from Region
424.
============
Space Weather Highlights SWO PRF 1458
04 - 10 August 2003 12 August 2003
Solar activity ranged from very low to moderate levels. The period began with low level activity on 03 August
and to very low levels on 04 August. Region 424 (S18, L=290, class/area Ekc/760 on 06 August) was the
largest and most active region on the disk during the period. This region began the period as a beta-gamma
spot group and developed a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration on 06 August. By 07 August, Region
424's growth phase ended and it began a steady decay phase that continued through the end of the period.
Region 424 produced the largest event of the period, an M1/Sn on 05 August at 1249 UTC. This flare was
associated with a weak Type II radio sweep measuring 339 km/s. Activity for the remainder of the period, 06 -
10 August was at low levels with the exception of 09 August when activity dropped to very low levels. Region
431 (S13, L=194, class/area Eac/250 on 10 August) rotated onto the visible disk late in the period (09 August)
and has shown growth in area coverage as well as an increase in magnetic complexity to a beta gamma
configuration. Activity from this region has been limited to one minor C-class flare on 10 August.
--
Space Weather Outlook
13 August - 08 September 2003
Solar activity is expected to range from very low to moderate levels during the period. Activity for most of
the period is expected to be at very low to low levels. Region 424 has the potential for isolated M-class activity
early in the period and if Region 431 continues to develop it may produce isolated M-class activity.
No greater than 10 MeV proton events at geosynchronous orbit are expected during the period.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on 13 -15 August, 25 August - 01
September, and again on 05 - 07 September.
The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels during the period. Coronal hole
effects are expected to continue on 13 August with isolated major storm levels possible. A large coronal hole
high speed stream is due to return to a geoeffective position and is expected to produce minor storm levels on
22 - 29 August.
============

CV-144	MOHAMMED AKHLAGHI	IRAN	03. JUN.03
CV-145	BJØRN WILLMANN	NORWAY	05. JUN.03
CV-146	ANGEL ALBERTO GONZALEZ COROAS	CUBA	25. JUN.03