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Long duration M1.2 solar flare off the southwest limb produces large CME, solar radiation storm

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A long duration M1.2 solar flare erupted from the vicinity of departing Region 2365, off the southwest limb, at 01:27 UTC on June 18, 2015. The event produced a large Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and is currently causing solar radiation storm on Earth, reaching S1 (Minor) levels. 

The CME is directed away from the Sun-Earth line, but both proton and electron flux are currently on the rise. They are expected to subside towards moderate and background levels by June 20, 2015.

Today's M1.2 solar flare event started at 00:34, peaked at 01:27 and ended at 02:05 UTC.

YouTube video

M1.2 solar flare at 01:06 UTC on June 18, 2015. Image credit: NASA SDO/AIA 304.

Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) following M1.2 solar flare on June 18, 2015. Image credits: NASA/ESA SOHO/LASCO C2 and C3, NASA/SDO AIA 304.

Low energy electrons and protons as measured by ACE spacecraft at L1 point by 13:21 UTC on June 18, 2015.

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Space Weather Message Code: ALTPX1
Serial Number: 310
Issue Time: 2015 Jun 18 1152 UTC

ALERT: Proton Event 10MeV Integral Flux exceeded 10pfu
Begin Time: 2015 Jun 18 1135 UTC
NOAA Scale: S1 – Minor
Potential Impacts: Radio – Minor impacts on polar HF (high frequency) radio propagation resulting in fades at lower frequencies.

***

Sunspots

Sunspots on June 18, 2015. Image credit: ESA/PROBA2/SWAP.

Region 2365 has rotated off the southwest limb and is starting its farside rotation. Region 2371 (beta-gamma), which is currently the largest region on the disk, produced several low level C-class flares and exhibited growth in the intermediate spots during the past 24 hours. Region 2367 (beta-gamma) remained mostly stable with slight decay noted around the trailer and intermediate spots.

Forecast

SWPC forecasters expect solar activity to be low with a chance for M-class (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) flare activity over the next three days, June 18 – 20, 2015.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels today and tomorrow, June 19. Electron flux is forecast to decrease to moderate levels on June 20.

The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to remain above S1 levels on June 18 with a chance to persist at S1 levels into June 19 before subsiding towards background levels by June 20.

Featured image: CME produced by M1.2 solar flare on June 18, 2015. Image credit: NASA SDO/AIA 304 via HelioViewer.

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