[SADXA] Huge flare

[Jim Henderson]

    As many will now have heard, there was another flare from region 1158 that peaked at 01:45. This is the sunspot that produced the M6.6 event just a couple days ago.

    This last one is an X-class flare (X2.2), which is really something big. Not only more powerful.
but more complex and likely with a differnt mixture of solar particles already on their way to cause great
effects on the ionosphere as well as the geomagnetic field.

    This very significant follow-on event to the M6.6 is of great interest to solar watchers. And
it ought to be of keen interest to Amateurs.

    Not only it it the most powerful flare of Cycle 24, it has boosted the Solar Flux to 113 or so
But the pairing of both flares - and the greater intensity of the second- is a hallmark event for this
cycle.

    In the short term, this will profoundly effect propagation for the ARRL CW.

    In the long term, it means the much hoped for, significant improvement in Cycle 24 has more credibility than before.

    "In crisis there is opportunity". Ancient Chinese proverb.

    "In large solar event, there is much DX. But on unexpected paths and times.'  - brand new KF7E proverb... :-)   

    Spend time tuning and listening. Use the beacons (NCDXF and others). Enjoy the learning opportunity that is 
at hand.

73

Jim, KF7E