M5.1+M1.0 solar flares from sunspot regions 2172+2173

Sunday, 28 September 2014 07:40 UTC

The image above from NASA SDO in the 1600 Ångström wavelength shows very well that this solar flare is a cooperation between both sunspot regions 2172 and 2173.

Coronagraph imagery from SOHO are still unavailable but SDO imagery suggests that a coronal mass ejection was likely launched. It looks however to be heading mostly south-west and away from Earth as we can see on the image below which shows some coronal dimming, but it does not look all that spectaculair. This post will be updated later today when we can provide more information regarding the coronal mass ejection.

Images: NASA SDO / SIDC.

NOAA SWPC alerts

ALERT: X-Ray Flux exceeded M5
Threshold Reached: 2014 Sep 28 0258 UTC
NOAA Scale: R2 - Moderate

ALERT: Type II Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2014 Sep 28 0245 UTC
Estimated Velocity: 638 km/s

ALERT: Type IV Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2014 Sep 28 0311 UTC

SUMMARY: 10cm Radio Burst
Begin Time: 2014 Sep 28 0243 UTC
Maximum Time: 2014 Sep 28 0247 UTC
End Time: 2014 Sep 28 0248 UTC
Duration: 5 minutes
Peak Flux: 220 sfu
Latest Penticton Noon Flux: 181 sfu

SUMMARY: X-ray Event exceeded M5
Begin Time: 2014 Sep 28 0239 UTC
Maximum Time: 2014 Sep 28 0258 UTC
End Time: 2014 Sep 28 0319 UTC
X-ray Class: M5.1
Optical Class: 2b
Location: S13W23
NOAA Scale: R2 - Moderate

Coronal mass ejection (ADDED 17:00 UTC)

Coronagraph imagery from SOHO/LASCO is now available and show that the M5.1 solar flare launched a slow and narrow coronal mass ejection off the south-west limb. This coronal mass ejection is unfortunately not earth-directed.

Image: NASA/ESA SOHO.

M1 solar flare (ADDED 20:30 UTC)

Sunspot regions 2172 and 2173 are now really starting to merge together and around 17:30 UTC they produced an M1 solar flare. Imagery suggests again that a coronal mass ejection could have been launched but it will likely again be directed away from Earth in a similar way as the coronal mass ejection from the M5.1 solar flare. More M-class flares are possible in the hours ahead with a slight chance on an X-class event.

Sunspot region 2175 (ADDED 20:48 UTC)

Quick look at another sunspot group of interest: sunspot region 2175 remains quiet today but has a strong delta sunspot and still has the potential to produce an M-class event. Even an X-class event can not be excluded but the chances are low for such a strong solar flare. Keep your eye on the X-ray flux as more fireworks are likely!

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Images: NASA SDO.