Propagation Service Center - How to read the Conditions page

This page is a tutorial for those who want to maximum use of the information on the [PSC] Conditions page. Every section of the page is being explained.

[ACTIVE REGIONS MAP] is a regular, mostly daily updated picture produced by [PSC] of the sun's visible disk. On that disk you can find active regions (with or without sunspots) with their unique number, Regions which start with a digit, are officially designated by NOAA SWPC (Space Weather Prediction Center). Because we are quick at [PSC], we sometimes spot active regions earlier than SWPC. Those early spotted regions start with a P followed by the year, month and date (YYMMDD). And is renumbered when it is spotted by SWPC.

[X-RAY BACKGROUND RADIATION 1-MINUTE PLOT] is s produced by NOAA SWPC and displays the X-ray background radiation produced by the sun, updated by the minute. Peaks of activity in the M-range are associated with larger solar flares which can cause CME's and sudden changes in propagation, which are usually followed by our [PROPALERT]. Follow the red line!

[ESTIMATED K-INDEX] is produced by NOAA SWPC and displays the estimated K-index registered in Colorado, USA. The higher this K-index, the more unstable propagation becomes. When the K-index rises beyond 4, there is a chance for Aurora propagation at the polar areas. K-indexes in excess of 6 can cause propagation blakcouts

[LIVE SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL DATA] is an automatic generated live summary of solar activity generated by NØBNH. It displays the most important indexes, and produces an automatically generated forecast on the band conditions.

[NORTH AND SOUTH POLE AURORA] images are produced at NOAA's SWPC. It displays the aurora activity around the Earth's polar areas. The more reddish these auroral ovals appear the higher the chance for an aurora at high latitudes. But also meaning degrading propagation along and across the polar areas. These conditions are often caused by high speeds streams from coronal holes or Coronal Mass Ejections.

[LATEST SOLAR IMAGES] are produced by NASA's SOHO spacecraft and updated several times per day. Hydrogen Alpha image displays sunspots as dark spots. Magnetogram displays the magnetic activity of an active region. The more dense the black / white areas (opposite magnetic polarities), the stronger the magnetic fields, and the higher the chances for large solar flares. Magnetically strong regions add to a high solar flux. Ultraviolet shows active regions as bright areas, also if they do not harbour any sunspots. The brighter they are, the more activity. But also large solar flares are visible as bright flashes. Corona shows the sun's atmosphere which stretches out millions of kilometres. It is illuminated by active regions, making them visible even if the are on the sun's backside. They also show Coronal Mass Ejections being launched into space.

[LAST FIVE SPOTS FROM CLUSTER.DK] is a view on the last five interesting contacts on the 11m band submitted at Cluster.dk. It gives a good view on which part of the world propagation paths are open. For more information visit our friends at www.cluster.dk.

[SOLAR ACTIVITY INDEX] is a regular, mostly daily updated report of solar activity produced by [PSC]. It is a short summary of active regions activity, followed by X-ray background level. Solar Flux and the Earth's geomagnetic field and coronal holes. In the table below a summary of all active regions, Solar Flux, Sunspots counted by [PSC], Observed Solar Flares, Coronal Mass Ejections, Coronal Holes, Earth's geomagnetic field and a general status of solar activity, with a short propagation outlook for short and long distances.