From mcintosh@qadas.com Fri Mar  6 02:51:43 1998

March 5, 1998    1600 UT

SOLAR STATUS REPORT

     HELIOSYNOPTICS,   BOULDER, COLORADO

   NEW REGION NEAR N50 AT EAST LIMB

   There are at least two active regions about to come onto the visible
solar disk at the east limb of the sun. Most interesting is one at the
unusual latitude of N50, showing a well-developed system of coronal
loops that suggests a mature, but magnetically simple, region. The
corona of this region appears equivalent to the corona now apparent
above the large spot group at S23 W72 (Region 8171). The new region has
formed near the anticipated location mentioned in the report for March
2, which warned observers to watch for a region appearing at east limb
in 5 days, at a location 180 degrees in longitude from Region 8171. When
the sun creates symmetry in its distribution of activity, it most often
takes the form of 180 degree separations, but also tends to place
activity in opposite hemispheres in latitude.

  The occurrence of regions at the exceptional latitude of 50 degrees is
rare, but most common at the beginning of a solar cycle; but, for that
region to be large is most unusual. A hallmark of the strongest known
sunspot cycle, Cycle 19 with peak in 1957-58, was the appearance of
large Class-E spot groups at high latitudes. The region about to rotate
into view may add a little credibility to some predictions that the
present cycle will be comparable to the record Cycle 19.

  Region 8171 increased 50% in area from yesterday, and it will begin
its transit of the west limb tomorrow. Growth was primarily in the
leader penumbral mass, without increasing the region=92s complexity. Xray
flare activity should continue no stronger than Class C events unless
additional flux emerges displaced from the primary polarity boundary
through this region. This region accounts for most of the present level
of 10.7 cm radio flux. The flux will drop sharply as this region rotates
out of view, unless there is unexpected growth of new regions.

  A weak region is coming into view at S23 E90. The remaining regions on
the solar disk are small and changing slowly.

Patrick S. McIntosh



From mcintosh@qadas.com Sat Mar  7 03:25:21 1998

March 6, 1998   1800 UT

SOLAR STATUS REPORT for observers and forecasters

          HELIOSYNOPTICS,    BOULDER, COLORADO

   A small symmetric leader spot (Hsx, Area of 50) has come into view at
N46 E88 marking the disk appearance of a new active region that has
become impressive in coronal emissions. The bright loops here are larger
and brighter than those now showing above the large spot group
transiting the SW solar limb.

  A smaller bright region is showing plage on the disk at S42 E88.
Observing conditions are too poor to detect small spots, but one is
suspected with this region.

  A small, dark spot (Axx, Area <10) has appeared near S15 E55. 

  Regions 8171 (S23 W82) and 8172 (N22 W58) are little changed, but limb
proximity and poor seeing make assessment difficult. Additional spots
were suspected in the interior of 8171.

Patrick McIntosh