Geomagnetic Storm Warning - A Dark Filament Broke Away from the Sun - Two New Sunspots

A solar wind stream is approaching Earth. It could cause a minor G1-class geomagnetic storm when it hits Earth' magnetic field on Feb. 21st. The gaseous material is flowing faster than 500 km/s from an equatorial hole in the sun's atmosphere. Arctic skywatchers should be alert for auroral displays.

A dark, almost circular filament broke away from the sun in a gauzy, feathery swirl, on February 17-18, 2021. Filaments are dark strands of plasma tethered above the sun’s surface by magnetic forces that, over time, often become disrupted and break away from the sun. Filaments appear darker than the surrounding material because of their comparatively cool temperature.

Two new regions developed over the period, but remained quiet. These two new northern sunspots have ended a string of 13 consecutive spotless days.


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