X5.0 Solar Flare (12/31/2023) -

Ringing in the new year with a bang. Now the strongest solar event of the current solar cycle, a major X5.0 solar flare was observed around AR 3536 (ex 3514) at 21:55 UTC (Dec 31). Coronal dimming was evident and a coronal mass ejection (CME) will be launched into space. Because the active region is still located close to the limb, most of the plasma should be directed away from our planet. Despite this, an Earth directed glancing blow may still be possible within 72 hours. More to follow via