Almost X-Flare - Region 3654 Unleashed an Solar Flare

Active sunspot AR3654 was produced its strongest eruption yet. An flare only percentage points from category X. Radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth’s atmosphere, causing a shortwave radio blackout over much of the Pacific Ocean. Mariners and ham radio operators may have noticed loss of signal below 20 MHz for as much as 30 minutes after the flare’s peak. The M9.5 flare event failed to generate a noteworthy CME. Another event beginning around 06:00 UTC did however. An eruption just to the south of 3654 beginning just before 06:00 UTC (May 1) registering as a long duration C-Flare produced a coronal mass ejection (CME). Analysis is ongoing of this event, but due to its far west location, an Earth-directed component is unlikely. Geospace Active levels, with a chance of G1 (Minor) storms are anticipated 2-3 May due to a coronal mass ejection (CME) that departed the Sun on 29 April. #Xflare #CME #solarstorm Images credit: AIA/SDO, SOHO/LASCO, Music credit: YouTube Audio Library