Long duration M6.5 solar flare erupted from Region 2027

Strong, long duration, solar flare measuring M6.5 erupted from Region 2027 on April 2, 2014. The event started at 13:18, peaked at 14:05 and ended at 14:28 UTC.

A Type II and IV Radio Emission with estimated velocity of 903 km/h were observed beginning at 13:23 UTC. 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. 

A 10cm Radio Burst event with peak flux of 3700 sfu was observed from 13:41 to 14:07 UTC (lasting 26 minutes).

R2 – Moderate radio blackout was reported at 13:56 UTC. HF Radio: Limited blackout of HF radio communication on sunlit side, loss of radio contact for tens of minutes. Navigation: Degradation of low-frequency navigation signals for tens of minutes.

Region 2027 is located near the eastern limb – the CME should be directed mostly away from Earth.

Update: A partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was associated with this event. The CME was first observed in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery at 02/13:36 UTC and had an estimated speed of 1622 km/s. The majority of the ejecta appeared to be directed off the NE limb, however further analysis will be accomplished as imagery becomes available. (SWPC)

Space Weather Message Code: ALTTP4
Serial Number: 455
Issue Time: 2014 Apr 02 1352 UTC

ALERT: Type IV Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2014 Apr 02 1323 UTC
Description: 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.

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Space Weather Message Code: SUM10R
Serial Number: 614
Issue Time: 2014 Apr 02 1417 UTC

SUMMARY: 10cm Radio Burst
Begin Time: 2014 Apr 02 1341 UTC
Maximum Time: 2014 Apr 02 1357 UTC
End Time: 2014 Apr 02 1407 UTC
Duration: 26 minutes
Peak Flux: 3700 sfu
Latest Penticton Noon Flux: 153 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.

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Space Weather Message Code: ALTTP2
Serial Number: 921
Issue Time: 2014 Apr 02 1412 UTC

ALERT: Type II Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2014 Apr 02 1323 UTC
Estimated Velocity: 903 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.

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Space Weather Message Code: ALTXMF
Serial Number: 216
Issue Time: 2014 Apr 02 1356 UTC

ALERT: X-Ray Flux exceeded M5
Threshold Reached: 2014 Apr 02 1355 UTC
NOAA Scale: R2 – Moderate
Potential Impacts: Area of impact centered on sub-solar point on the sunlit side of Earth. Extent of blackout of HF (high frequency) radio communication dependent upon current X-ray Flux intensity. For real-time information on affected area and expected duration please see http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/drap/index.html.

Sunspots

There are currently 8 numbered sunpot regions on the Earth side of the Sun.

Sunspots on April 2, 2014. Image credit: NASA SDO/HMI

2014 S13W0* 176 150 4 CAO 3 B
2017 N10W78 149 10 2 AXX 2 A
2021 S14W05 76 220 7 DAI 18 BG
2022 N17E10 61 30 1 HSX 1 A
2026 S11E50 21 130 10 DAI 28 BG
2027 N13E55 16 100 3 HSX 1 A
2028 S08E62 9 30 5 DAO 3 B
2029 N18E42 29 20 1 HRX 1 A

Featured image: NASA SDO