USAF/NOAA | Sunspot region 1029 producing C1.5 flare continues to decay - with slight chance of M-class Flare - October 26, 2009 7:45am CDT

Prepared jointly by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA,
Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.S. Air Force.
Updated 2009 Oct 25 2201 UTC

Space Weather Now

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity
SDF Number 298 Issued at 2200Z on 25 Oct 2009

IA.  Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from  24/2100Z
to 25/2100Z:  Solar activity was low. Region 1029 (N14W12) produced
several B-class events and a C1.5 flare at 25/0226Z. Region 1028
(N24W10) continues to decay.

IB.  Solar Activity Forecast:  Solar activity is expected to be low
with a slight chance of an M-class flare.

RELATED:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/solar-b/solar_006.html

There are three categories of flares, X-class, M-class and C-class. The largest, X-class flares are major events that can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms. M-class flares are medium-sized, capable of causing brief radio blackouts that affect Earth's polar regions. Minor radiation storms sometimes follow an M-class flare. Compared to X- and M-class events, C-class flares are small with few noticeable consequences here on Earth.