Sun erupts in powerful flare barrage as volatile sunspot turns Earthward
TL;DR
Over a 24-hour period the Sun released a barrage of flares from sunspot AR4366, including at least 18 M-class and three X-class events (peaking at X8.3), triggering radio blackouts in parts of the South Pacific and eastern Australia/New Zealand. AR4366 is rapidly growing and could produce more eruptions; a CME is expected but likely to miss Earth or only glance Earth around Feb. 5, potentially elevating high-latitude aurora activity. Forecasters warn conditions remain uncertain as activity continues.
Topics:scienceastronomy#astronomy#coronal-mass-ejection#solar-flare#sun#sunspot-ar4366#x-class-flare
- Sun unleashes extraordinary solar flare barrage as new volatile sunspot turns toward Earth Space
- UPDATE! An X8.1 (Strong) flare from Region 4366 Space Weather Prediction Center (.gov)
- X-Class Solar Flares Raise Chance Of Northern Lights On Thursday Forbes
- Very active sun spot causes numerous solar flares which could impact Earth KFIZ
- Complex sunspot region 4366 SpaceWeatherLive.com
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