Sunspot 1513 unleashed second M-class solar flare – waves of ionization over Europe

Another M-class solar flare was released from Sunspot 1513 on Friday morning, the same sunspot that produced yesterdays M2.4 solar flare. The latest event measured moderate M2.2 and took place at 09:20 UTC Friday morning, June 29, 2012.

Sunspots 1512 and 1513 have Beta-Gamma magnetic configurations that harbor energy for strong flares. NOAA forecasters estimate a 30% chance of M-class solar flares for the next 24 hours.

Yesterday, the impulsive M2.4 solar flare illuminated Earth’s upper atmosphere with a pulse of X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation. This created a wave of ionization over Europe, which altered the propagation of low-frequency radio transmissions around the continent. NOAA/SWPC issued R1 Radio Blackout level alert. More ionization waves are in the offing as AR1512 and AR1513 crackle with flares.

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Featured image credit: Cai-Uso Wohler