Two Coronal Mass Ejections Headed For Earth

Solar activity reached high levels as Region 3738, no longer visible, produced and X1.9 flare (R3-Strong) at 16/13:26 UTC. Accompanying the flare were Type II (398 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps. A CME was observed off the West limb beginning at 16/13:36 UTC in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery. Analysis of the CME showed no Earth-directed component. Next, Region 3753 produced a M1.6 flare at 16/21:24 UTC and Region 3744 responded with a M1.9 flare at 16/22:06 UTC. Type II and IV radio sweeps were reported by USAF observatories in association with the M1.9 flare event. However, both of these flares appear have to produced faint shock as observed by SOHO LASCO C2 imagery first seen just before 16/23:12 UTC. Modeling of these events suggests mostly shock arrival first by midday on 20 July followed by a second shock arrival early on the 21st of July. Finally, Region 3743 erupted with an M5.0 flare at 17/06:39 UTC, which was quickly followed by an additional M3.4 flare at 07:08 UTC. Both flares were accompanied by type II radio sweeps with the former having a tenflare of 560 SFU and a type IV sweep as well. Although, GOES SUVI 304 imagery suggests the presence of ejecta from the M5 flare event. NOAA forecasters await updated SOHO LASCO coronagraph imagery to determine the presence of any Earth-directed CME. #CME #solarflare #solarstorm Images credit: NOAA/SWPC, AIA/SDO, SOHO/LASCO, nemesis maturity channel, Music credit: YouTube Audio Library Blue Mood - Robert Munzinger