Major X1.1 solar flare erupts from the Sun’s west limb

A major solar flare measuring X1.1 erupted from the Sun’s west limb at 13:47 UTC on April 30, 2022. The event started at 13:37 UTC and ended at 13:52.

A Type II Radio Emission with an estimated velocity of 1 071 km/s was registered at 13:45 UTC. Type II emissions typically indicate a coronal mass ejection (CME) is associated with a flare event.

The source is departing region 2994, located on the west limb, so Earth-directed CME is not expected.

Before the aforementioned X1.1 solar flare, Region 2994 produced 8 C-class flares today as well as 3 M-class — M2.6 at 05:01 UTC, M1.4 at 05:34 UTC and M4.8 at 09:58 UTC.

The M4.8 was also associated with a Type II Radio Emission.

The M1.2 solar flare that erupted from Region 2996 at 07:30 UTC on April 29 was reanalyzed with a potential glancing blow at Earth on May 2.¹

The flare was associated with multiple radio signatures from 25 to 15 400 MHz including a Tenflare of 230 sfu as well as a CME off the NE limb at 07:36 UTC

The geomagnetic field was at quiet to G1-Minor storm levels over the past 24 hours due to CH HSS combined with possible weak transient effects.

A quiet to unsettled geomagnetic field is expected through the rest of April 30 due to persistent HSS/CME effects. Quiet to unsettled levels, with isolated active intervals, are possible on May 1 and 2 due to potential CME effects.

References:

¹ Forecast Discussion Issued 2022 Apr 30 1230 UTC – Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Featured image credit: NASA SDO/AIA 304, TW