Sun Shoots Two Powerful Solar Flares Today - G1-G3-Class Geomagnetic Storm Watches for Dec. 16-17

High solar activity continues with a dual M6.3/M6.9 M-Flares around AR 3514. This event peaked early this morning (07:34 UTC Dec 15). Another coronal mass ejection (CME) is likely with a trajectory mostly to the west. Analysis of these events for Earth-directed components is ongoing. Radiation from the flares caused shortwave radio blackouts over West Australia, India, Indian Ocean, and South Africa. Ham radio operators may have noticed loss of signal at all frequencies below 20 MHz for more than 30 minutes after the flares. Geomagnetic Storm Watches Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on Dec. 16th in response to an incoming solar wind stream with a stealthy CME embedded in it. Storm levels could escalate to category G2 (Moderate) or G3 (Strong) on Dec. 17th when the CME from yesterday’s flare arrives. Newly-arriving images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) show a lopsided halo CME soon after the strong solar flare (X2.8). Magnitude and timing are still being evaluated for this event. Thanks for watching! #solarflare #CME #solarstorm Images credit: NOAA/SWPC, SOHO/LASCO C2/C3, AIA/SDO, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, nemesis maturity channel Music credit: YouTube Audio Library Alpha Mission - Jimena Contreras