[SFDXA] The Biggest Solar Flare of the Current Solar Cycle

[Bill]

*GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH (G2): * The big storm is over. Now for the 
little storm. NOAA forecasters say that minor (G1 
<https://spaceweather.com/glossary/g1.jpg>) to moderate (G2 
<https://spaceweather.com/glossary/g2.jpg>) geomagnetic storms are 
possible today in response to a glancing-blow CME 
<https://spaceweather.com/images2024/11may24/newcme.gif> from departing 
sunspot AR3664. *Aurora alerts:* SMS Tex 
<https://spaceweatheralerts.com>t <https://spaceweatheralerts.com>

*STRONGEST SOLAR FLARE OF THE CURRENT CYCLE: *Sunspot AR3664 just 
unleashed the strongest solar flare of the current solar cycle--an 
X8.7-category blast from beyond the sun's western limb. X marks the spot 
in this image of the flare from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory:

<https://spaceweather.com/images2024/14may24/teal/20240514_165546_1024_0131.jpg>

Because the sunspot is behind the edge of the solar disk, the flare was 
partially eclipsed. It was probably even stronger than it appeared. 
"X8.7" is almost certainly an underestimate of the flare's true strength.

Extreme ultraviolet radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth's 
atmosphere, causing a deep shortwave radio blackout 
<https://spaceweather.com/images2024/14may24/deepblackout.jpg> over the 
Americas. Ham radio operators, aviators and mariners may have noticed a 
sudden loss of signal at all frequencies below 30 MHz.

Subatomic debris from this event might soon reach Earth, guided toward 
our planet by the Parker Spiral 
<https://spaceweather.com/repeat_images/parkerspiral2.png> (read the 
story below for more information). Also, a CME might be in the offing.
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