[K3PZN-List] Major Solar Flare Today

[Stu Benner-W3STU]

August 9, 2011 at 0805 UT, sunspot 1263 produced an X7-class
<http://spaceweather.com/glossary/flareclasses.html?PHPSESSID=nc8gtlcf990q04
li8mhc5po3f4>  solar flare--only the third X-flare of new Solar Cycle 24 and
the most powerful so far.

 

The associated X-ray energy (traveling at the speed of light) from a flare
of this magnitude usually disrupts propagation on HF. I was snoring at that
hour!

 

The charged particles from the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) could cause a
minor geomagnetic storm on Friday (the charged particles move much slower
than the electromagnetic X-ray waves). However, since the CME was not
directed toward the Earth, we'll probably just receive a glancing blow.
Auroras (and auroral propagation) are unlikely but possible at that time.

 

The solar cycle is ramping up!

 

More at: http://spaceweather.com/ and http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html

 

 

Regards,

Stu (W3STU).