Major solar flare reaching X2.7 erupts from Region 2339, CME produced

An impulsive, major solar flare reaching X2.7 erupted at 22:11 UTC on May 5, 2015 producing R3 (Strong) Radio Blackout. The event started at 22:05 and ended at 22:15 UTC. 

The source of this powerful eruption was old Region 2322, now numbered as 2339 and located on the northeast limb.

A Type II Radio Emission with estimated velocity of 1 163 km/s was associated with this event. Type II emissions occur in association with eruptions on the Sun and typically indicate a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is associated with a flare event.

Additionally, a 10cm Radio Burst lasting 2 minutes, with peak flux of 590 sfu, was also 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.

The location of this region is not favorable for Earth directed CMEs.

 

SWPC alerts

Space Weather Message Code: ALTXMF
Serial Number: 254
Issue Time: 2015 May 05 2213 UTC

ALERT: X-Ray Flux exceeded M5
Threshold Reached: 2015 May 05 2208 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/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap.

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Space Weather Message Code: SUMX01
Serial Number: 113
Issue Time: 2015 May 05 2238 UTC

SUMMARY: X-ray Event exceeded X1
Begin Time: 2015 May 05 2205 UTC
Maximum Time: 2015 May 05 2211 UTC
End Time: 2015 May 05 2215 UTC
X-ray Class: X2.7
Location: N12E70
NOAA Scale: R3 – Strong

Potential Impacts: Area of impact consists of large portions of the sunlit side of Earth, strongest at the sub-solar point.
Radio – Wide area blackout of HF (high frequency) radio communication for about an hour.

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Space Weather Message Code: ALTTP2
Serial Number: 1008
Issue Time: 2015 May 05 2238 UTC

ALERT: Type II Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2015 May 05 2212 UTC
Estimated Velocity: 1163 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: SUM10R
Serial Number: 662
Issue Time: 2015 May 05 2238 UTC

SUMMARY: 10cm Radio Burst
Begin Time: 2015 May 05 2207 UTC
Maximum Time: 2015 May 05 2208 UTC
End Time: 2015 May 05 2209 UTC
Duration: 2 minutes
Peak Flux: 590 sfu
Latest Penticton Noon Flux: 128 sfu

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

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.

Featured image credit: NASA SDO/AIA 304 – X2.7 on May 5, 2015.