Solar Update: Solar activity has been high over the past 36 hours with numerous C-Class and M-Class flares as well as an X1.4 Solar Flare around Sunspot 1302. That solar flare generated a bright CME which was not earth directed because of the Sunspots location near the limb.
An M1.6 Solar Flare took place at 01:59 UTC Friday morning around Sunspot 1295 which is approaching the western limb.
More Flare activity will be possible within the next 24 hours.
Top 10 Solar Flares of Cycle 24: (Sunspot number in brackets)
X6.9 - Aug 9, 2011 (1263)
X2.2 - Feb 15, 2011 (1158)
X2.1 - Sept 6, 2011 (1283)
X1.8 - Sept 7, 2011 (1283)
X1.5 - March 9 , 2011 (1166)
X1.4 - Sept 22, 2011 (1302)
M9.3 - Aug 4, 2011 (1261)
M9.3 - July 30, 2011 (1260)
M8.3 - Feb 6, 2010 (1045)
M6.6 - Feb 13, 2011 (1158)
6 of the 10 flares in the past 2 months.
A long duration X-Class Solar Flare reaching X1.4 took place around the new Sunspot rotating into view on the eastern limb. This event caused a radio blackout reaching the R3 level which effected areas located on the sunlit side of earth. A Type II and Type IV radio sweep frequency event resulted as well as a TenFlare. A bright CME is seen in this movie captured by the STEREO Ahead Spacecraft.
