A moderate solar flare classified as M5.9 erupted on Friday evening, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The event occurred at 22:22 UTC and originated from a newly formed sunspot group located on the Sun’s eastern limb.
This solar flare achieved R2-Moderate status on the radio blackout scale. While M-class flares of this intensity are not particularly rare during episodes of increased solar activity, they do happen less frequently than their lower-level counterparts.
The flare was captured in stunning detail via SUVI 131 Angstrom imagery from the GOES-19 satellite, which revealed a bright, impulsive burst along the eastern edge of the Sun. M-class flares are generally characterized by their impulsive nature, rapidly intensifying and diminishing over a matter of minutes, although some can last longer depending on the features of the active region.
The immediate effects of this flare included a brief degradation or complete loss of high-frequency (HF) radio communications, with potential implications for aviation, marine operations, and amateur radio users. Most disruptions are short-lived, typically lasting only a few tens of minutes. NOAA analysts are currently examining the imagery to determine whether the flare has resulted in a coronal mass ejection (CME).
Looking ahead, forecasters caution that if a CME were to be directed toward Earth, it could increase the likelihood of geomagnetic storms, particularly if it contains south-pointing magnetic fields. Currently, no CME has been confirmed following the flare.
The sunspot group responsible for this notable event continues to rotate into view on the Earth-facing side of the Sun, suggesting the possibility of further solar activity in the upcoming days. As new imagery and solar wind data become available, the NOAA SWPC will provide updates to keep the public informed. This event serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of solar activity and its potential impact on our technological systems.