Old region 3664 returns with M9.3 solar flare

Old region 3664/3697 — the source of multiple Earth-directed CMEs and G5 – Extreme geomagnetic storming in May, has returned to Earth-view with a strong M9.3 solar flare at 13:01 UTC on June 23, 2024. The region is now numbered 3723. The event started at 12:51 and ended at 13:11 UTC.

There were no radio signatures that would suggest a coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced. Even if it was, the current location of this region does not favor Earth-directed CMEs.

This will change in the days ahead as it rotates into a more geoeffective position.

Radio signatures were forecast to be most degraded over the Atlantic Ocean, Europe, and Africa at the time of the flare.

This historic region was previously numbered 3664 and 3697. It produced around 100 M-class and over 10 X-class solar flares during its May rotation through the Earth side of the Sun.

Multiple CMEs it produced at the time resulted in a G5 – Extreme geomagnetic storm — the strongest since 2003 — on May 10 and 11. On May 14, this region produced X8.7 solar flare — currently the strongest solar flare of Solar Cycle 25.

Teo Blašković

I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.

• Teo Blašković

  G3 – Strong Geomagnetic Storm Watch issued for June 4 and 5 following three significant solar flares
• Teo Blašković

  X1.0 solar flare erupts from geoeffective Region 4455
• Teo Blašković

  M9.3 and M7.7 solar flares erupt from AR 4455, launching Earth-directed CMEs
• Teo Blašković

  Kīlauea sets lava-fountaining record with episode 48, Hawaii