Solar Update: X-Class Solar Flare. Ejecta is visible leaving the sun. The X1.8-Class Solar Flare from AR 2242 created a strong R3 level Radio Blackout, as the near-instantaneous effects of the X-Ray Flux cooked the Earths Ionosphere, which is always visible on NOAAs D-Rap Absorption Map. Radio emissions from shock waves rippling through the suns atmosphere suggest that a CME is en route. However, we are still waiting for data from SOHO coronagraphs to confirm the existence and trajectory of a massive storm cloud. If a CME is coming, it will probably take 2 to 3 days to reach Earth. There has already been one Earth-effect: Extreme UV radiation from the flare ionized our planets upper atmosphere and blacked out HF radio communications over Australia and the South Pacific. Below 10 MHz, transmissions were strongly attenuated for more than two hours. Big sunspot 2242 produced a strong X1.8 solar flare peaking at 00:27 UTC (Dec 20). The event was associated with a long duration radio burst (TenFlare) lasting nearly an hour and measuring 2300 solar flux units (SFU). A type II radio emission with an estimated velocity of 900 km/s was also detected, meaning that a coronal mass ejection is likely. Based on available flare imagery, it would appear that most of the ejected material will be directed south of the ecliptic. Coronagraph imagery is still required to determine if an Earth directed component is possible. More updates once LASCO imagery is updated. Attached is a video compilation courtesy of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) capturing the great looking solar flare. SUMMARY: 10cm Radio Burst Begin Time: 2014 Dec 20 0018 UTC Maximum Time: 2014 Dec 20 0024 UTC End Time: 2014 Dec 20 0100 UTC Duration: 52 minutes Peak Flux: 2300 sfu Latest Penticton Noon Flux: 216 sfu Description: A 10cm radio burst indicates that the electromagnetic burst associated with a solar flare at the 10cm wavelength was double or greater than the initial 10cm radio background. This can be indicative of significant radio noise in association with a solar flare. This noise is generally short-lived but can cause interference for sensitive receivers including radar, GPS, and satellite communications. ALERT: Type II Radio Emission Begin Time: 2014 Dec 20 0050 UTC Estimated Velocity: 900 km/s Description: Type II emissions occur in association with eruptions on the sun and typically indicate a coronal mass ejection is associated with a flare event. SUMMARY: X-ray Event exceeded X1 Begin Time: 2014 Dec 20 0011 UTC Maximum Time: 2014 Dec 20 0028 UTC End Time: 2014 Dec 20 0055 UTC X-ray Class: X1.8 Optical Class: 2b Location: S19W29 NOAA Scale: R3 - Strong Comment: NOAA Active Region 12242; optical class is preliminary Potential Impacts: Area of impact consists of large portions of the sunlit side of Earth, strongest at the sub-solar point. Radio - Wide area blackout of HF (high frequency) radio communication for about an hour.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 10:27:00 +0000
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