Region 3697 produced two strong X-flares. The first solar flare was an impulsive X1.1 on May 31 22:03 UTC. The flare, while intense, was too brief to lift a significant CME out of the sun's atmosphere.
Radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, briefly causing a shortwave radio blackout over the Pacific side of North America.
The second event measuring X1.4 was detected around AR 3697 (3664) at 08:48 UTC (Jun 1). Much like the X-Flare yesterday evening, a CME does not appear to be associated with this event. This is the fourth X-flare this week from Region 3697. It's also the 49th X-Flare of the current solar cycle, we have tied the X-Flare total from the previous solar cycle 24.
Radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, causing a deep shortwave radio blackout over China, India, Indian Ocean, Africa, Europe, West Russia and Middle East. Signals below 30 MHz faded for as much as 60 minutes after the flare's peak.
Region 3697 is now in a good position for potential Earth-directed eruptions.
#Xflare #solarflares #solarstorm
Images credit: NOAA/SWPC, AIA/SDO, nemesis maturity channel, helioviewer.org
Music credit: KZfaq Audio Library