Strong M7.2 solar flare erupted from big central region on the Sun

strong-m7-2-solar-flare-erupted-from-big-central-region-on-the-sun

Huge central region on the Sun, AR 1944 (Fkc/beta-gamma-delta) erupted with strong solar flare measuring M7.2 at its peak time today. The event started at 10:07, peaked at 10:13 and ended at 10:37 UTC. Region 1944 is the largest and most magnetically complex region on the visible disk today. It is also one of the biggest sunspot regions of current solar cycle and is in geoeffective position where it will remain in the coming days. 

A 10cm Radio Burst (TenFlare) lasting 5 minutes and measuring 409 solar flux units (sfu) was associated with the event. If CME was generated with this eruption, the plasma cloud is already on its way toward our planet. More information will be available once analysis of the event is completed.

NOAA SWPC forecasters estimated 75% chance for M-class, and 30% chance for X-class solar flare today and in the next two days.

AR 1944 (beta-gamma-delta) – January 7, 2014 Sunspots count: 112. Source: SDO / HMI

Space Weather Message Code: SUMXM5
Serial Number: 111
Issue Time: 2014 Jan 07 1047 UTC

SUMMARY: X-ray Event exceeded M5
Begin Time: 2014 Jan 07 1007 UTC
Maximum Time: 2014 Jan 07 1013 UTC
End Time: 2014 Jan 07 1037 UTC
X-ray Class: M7.2
Location: S14E12
NOAA Scale: R2 – Moderate
Potential Impacts: Area of impact centered primarily on sub-solar point on the sunlit side of Earth.
Radio – Limited blackout of HF (high frequency) radio communication for tens of minutes.

***

Space Weather Message Code: SUM10R
Serial Number: 603
Issue Time: 2014 Jan 07 1054 UTC

SUMMARY: 10cm Radio Burst
Begin Time: 2014 Jan 07 1011 UTC
Maximum Time: 2014 Jan 07 1012 UTC
End Time: 2014 Jan 07 1016 UTC
Duration: 5 minutes
Peak Flux: 409 sfu

Latest Penticton Noon Flux: 204 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.

Sunspots

There are currently 9 numbered sunspot regions on the disk. Region 1946 (N09E14, Dac/beta-gamma) showed signs of growth in its intermediate spots and consolidation in its follower spot group yesterday. The additional seven numbered sunspot regions were stable or in a state of slight decay. Further analysis on the 04 Jan coronal mass ejection (CME) forecasts the majority of the plasma ejecta traveling south of the Sun-Earth line. Glancing blow effects from this CME are expected midday on 07 Jan. After further analysis, the CME associated with old Region 1936 (S15, L=225) which first appeared in LASCO/C3 imagery at 06/0954 UTC and was reported in the previous discussion is not anticipated to have an Earth-directed component. There were no additional CMEs observed in satellite imagery during the period. (SWPC, January 7, 2014 at 00:30 UTC).

Sunspots on January 7, 2014. Image credit: SDO / HMI

​1937 S13W85 195 160 9 DAI 21 BG
1938 S14W73 183 10 2 HRX 1 A
1942 N10W20 130 20 2 CRO 3 B
1943 S11W07 117 10 1 AXX 1 A
1944 S09E11 99 1415 18 FKC 112 BGD
1945 N11W39 149 10 1 AXX 1 A
1946 N09E07 103 140 8 DAC 11 BG
1947 N11W70 180 30 4 CRO 4 B
1948 N06E67 43 60 2 HSX 1 A

Featured image credit: Rocky Raybell photographed the active region named "AR1944" on January 6, 2014 from his backyard in Keller, Washington. Image via SpaceWeather

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2 Comments

  1. Cotterell had confirmed what the ancient Maya knew in regard of the sunspots,regular and irregular heartbeats of the Sun.The effect of CME is evident in our weather pattern and more and more EXTREME weather. But there are media blockouts and denials of this global phenomena…In my mind,there is no doubt that there is a huge influence on our Sun by the Galactic alignment with our Black Hole and double centre of our Galaxy (Maya Ball game)…Soon,our Sun/Christ will fully reach the 'Throne of God' also known as Mount Sion and so on…in the Valley of Kings,the female lap known as Mesopotamia or Dark Rift/Cleft…The 13th unofficial house of zodiac…

  2. It is to the benefit of all scientific researchers to have access to this standard of foreknowledge regarding astrophysical and solar activity that potentially can or may impact Planet Earth, our electrical services grids and communications across the globe!

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