March 11, 2015: Is AR12297 flaring again?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

As I was cycling to work, I could not resist getting off the bike, setting up the solar scope, and having a quick look at the sun. Apart from a mass of filaments, and the huge sunspot in AR 12297, I spotted a very bright ring-like striucture north an d a bit west of the sunspot, much brighter than the surrounding plage. Will have another look in a moment to see what is going on

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

It must have been a flare. The region still boasts a bright spot, but the ring of fire has died down, and some fluffy bits of filament are floating araond the area. There is also a bright spot right on the eastern limb, at the base of a little prom. Looks like it might erupt any time

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Nice movie on GONG:

http://halpha.nso.edu/movie_L.html

[Mark at Beaufort]

That is an interesting movie especially seeing the filament take off + the bright flare

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

That is an interesting movie especially seeing the filament take off + the bright flare

You are right. I hadn't even noticed the filament take off, I was so focused on the flare

[Davey-T]

Movie on Helioviewer M2 flare a short while ago, obviously it's cloudy here

Dave

[Pig]

Nice one Michael and thanks for posting  we also have had a cloudy time today, so no joy for me. 

[Dave In Vermont]

There's an in-depth article about the flares and radio-blackout that was produced by this in SpaceWeather on the 11th:

http://spaceweather.com/

Looks like you had a ringside-seat, Michael. An excellent catch! Congratulations on your urge to dismount and view.

Clear & Sunny Skies,

Dave

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Thanks everyone. I have spotted 4 flare in 2 days, with 3 M-class  from this one AR. The other was a C-class, but still nice to pick up

[Pig]

Nice one Michael  I think I spotted the sun earlier, cant be 100% sure though.

[Luke]

Nice one, Michael, I can tell this one is boiling away simply by the amount of cloud cover we have here

One very active region. Weekend forecast is clouds again, good luck to see the AR, folks. I am so desperate to try and get some higher res white light on the spots with the ASI174. I wanna try ROI and 10,000 frames in okay seeing to see what comes out.

[JB80]

Looking at gong it's like the AR is spewing out a huge filament.

It seems it was much smaller but all the flaring is feeding it.

[Luke]

On the lappy screen this mornng it looked like the AR was feeding the filament, they made a neat pair

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Sounds great. Solid cloud here, alas.