Fourth major solar flare in 48 hours – X1.2 peaked at 1:47 UTC today

On May 15, 2013 at 1:25 UTC another major solar flare started. The event peaked at 1:47 UTC as an X1.2 solar flare. It was associated with Type II and IV radio emission and a 10cm Radio Burst (Ten Flare) measuring 490 sfu. Type IV emissions occur in association with major eruptions on the Sun and are typically associated with strong Coronal Mass Ejections and solar radiation storms.

The majority of Sun's material from this eruption was directed away from Earth, but it looks like a smaller amount of it might come our way.

Today's X1.2 flare erupted from notorious Region 1748 which already produced three X-class and numerous C and M-class events in last 48 hours. This region is now classified with Beta-Gamma-Delta magnetic configuration and is capable of more strong eruptions.

NOAA SWPC forecasters estimated 80% chance for an M-class flare, and 50% chance for an X-class.

Sunspots

There are currently 8 numbered sunspot regions on the disk. Region 1748 is now fully rotated on the Earth's side of the solar disk and has Beta-Gamma-Delta magnetic configuration as it rotates toward the center of the disk. Other than that, Region 1745 has Beta-Gamma configuration. Compare the sizes and position on the image below:

1741 – Beta
1742 – Alpha
1743 – Beta
1744 – Beta
1745 – Beta-Gamma
1746 – Beta
1747 – Beta
1748 – Beta-Gamma-Delta

Featured image: NASA SDO – May 15, 2013 at 01:43 UTC