Strong M8.7 solar flare erupted from Region 2192
A strong solar flare measuring M8.7 erupted from Region 2192 (beta-gamma-delta) at 01:59 UTC on October 22, 2014. The event started at 01:16 and ended at 02:28.
A 10cm Radio Burst (1min / 590 sfu) was associated with the event. 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.
A Type IV radio emission was also observed. Type IV emissions occur in association with major eruptions on the sun and are typically associated with strong Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) and solar radiation storms.
Region 2192 is already a monster sunspot and it is still growing as it rotates toward the center of the disk. Earth directed CMEs are possible and will remain so in the coming days.
More M-class flares (R1-R2, minor to moderate) are likely from this region, keeping solar activity at moderate levels. There is a slight but persistent chance for an X-class (R3 or greater) flare over the next three days (October 22 – 24).
Update:
Second M-class solar flare of the day was recorded peaking at 05:17 UTC as M2.7. That event started at 05:11 and ended at 05:21 UTC. Source was again Region 2192.
Space Weather Message Code: SUMXM5
Serial Number: 122
Issue Time: 2014 Oct 22 0234 UTC
SUMMARY: X-ray Event exceeded M5
Begin Time: 2014 Oct 22 0116 UTC
Maximum Time: 2014 Oct 22 0159 UTC
End Time: 2014 Oct 22 0228 UTC
X-ray Class: M8.7
Location: S14E15
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: 638
Issue Time: 2014 Oct 22 0157 UTC
SUMMARY: 10cm Radio Burst
Begin Time: 2014 Oct 22 0138 UTC
Maximum Time: 2014 Oct 22 0139 UTC
End Time: 2014 Oct 22 0139 UTC
Duration: 1 minutes
Peak Flux: 590 sfu
Latest Penticton Noon Flux: 199 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.
***
Space Weather Message Code: ALTTP4
Serial Number: 484
Issue Time: 2014 Oct 22 0236 UTC
ALERT: Type IV Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2014 Oct 22 0215 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.
***
Sunspots
There are currently 4 numbered sunspot regions on the disk. Region 2192 continued to grow, reaching approximately 2410 micro-hemispheres by the end of October 21. The remaining three spotted regions are stable or decaying.
Sunspots on October 22, 2014. Image credit: NASA SDO / HMI
2187 – Beta
2192 – Beta-Gamma-Delta
2193 – Beta
2194 – Beta
Note: The M8.7 flare event data will be updated after the analysis is complete.
Featured image credit: NASA SDO / AIA 191
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