Major X-Class Solar Flare - Earth Just Dodged a Bullet

A major solar flare was observed around AR 3575 at 13:14 UTC (Feb 9). AR 3575 is now located just behind the sun's southwestern limb. That means the partially eclipsed flare was even bigger than its nominal X3.4 rating. Earth just dodged a bullet. Radiation Storm Alert An S1 (Minor) event began at 9/15:30 UTC (9 Feb at 1:30 EST) and is expected to last until 10/06:00 UTC (10 Feb 01:00 EST). The S1 storm is a result of solar energetic particles that have reached Earth at 10x the normal background. This activity was associated with the X3 flare today and resultant coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME is being analyzed, but is anticipated to be just ahead of Earth and not likely to be directed at Earth. Polar Cap Absorption Event (PCA) A Polar Cap Absorption Event (PCA) is in progress. The PCA began at 12:10 EST (17:10 UTC) on 9 February, 2024. PCA events are a result of solar energetic particles funneling down along magnetic field lines at Earth's poles into the high atmosphere. These events can lead to high frequency (HF) communication degradation or loss at and near the polar regions. Stay Tuned! #Xflare #radiationstorm #CME Images credit: NOAA/SWPC, AIA/SDO, SOHO/LASCO, nemesis maturity channel, Music credit: YouTube Audio Library