Powerful X-class flare
Aug. 9, 2011
"The "X7" flare erupted at the site of the particularly active sunspot 1263 at 3:48 a.m. ET. X-class flares are the strongest classification of solar flares, with C- and M-class flares representing the weakest and medium-strength flares, respectively. The Earth's atmosphere has been buffeted by a series of M-class flares in sunspots 1263 and 1261 over the past few days, prompting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to issue warnings to satellite operators and power companies around the globe.
Although this morning's flare generated a coronal mass ejection (CME), it is not thought that there will be any major impact to Earth. However, according to SpaceWeather.com's Tony Phillips, there is a minor proton storm in progress -- i.e. high-energy protons buzzing around the vicinity of the Earth's magnetosphere -- that have the potential to cause some satellite damage. There are also reports that the X-ray radiation caused waves of ionization in the Earth's ionosphere, blocking the global transmission of VLF and HF radio frequencies."
http://news.discovery.com/space/big-pic-sun-explodes-x-class-flare-110809.html
"The "X7" flare erupted at the site of the particularly active sunspot 1263 at 3:48 a.m. ET. X-class flares are the strongest classification of solar flares, with C- and M-class flares representing the weakest and medium-strength flares, respectively. The Earth's atmosphere has been buffeted by a series of M-class flares in sunspots 1263 and 1261 over the past few days, prompting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to issue warnings to satellite operators and power companies around the globe.
Although this morning's flare generated a coronal mass ejection (CME), it is not thought that there will be any major impact to Earth. However, according to SpaceWeather.com's Tony Phillips, there is a minor proton storm in progress -- i.e. high-energy protons buzzing around the vicinity of the Earth's magnetosphere -- that have the potential to cause some satellite damage. There are also reports that the X-ray radiation caused waves of ionization in the Earth's ionosphere, blocking the global transmission of VLF and HF radio frequencies."
http://news.discovery.com/space/big-pic-sun-explodes-x-class-flare-110809.html