Sunspot 1121 unleashes X-ray flare

Sunspot 1121 Unleashes X-ray Flare
Active Region 1121 unleashes x-ray flare. Credit: NASA/SDO/AIA

Active sunspot 1121 has unleashed one of the brightest x-ray solar flares in years, an M5.4-class eruption at 15:36 UT on Nov. 6th.

Radiation from the flare created a wave of ionization in Earth's upper atmosphere that altered the propagation of low-frequency radio waves.

There was, however, no bright CME (plasma cloud) hurled in our direction, so the event is unlikely to produce auroras in the nights ahead.

This is the third M-flare in as many days from this increasingly active . So far none of the eruptions has been squarely Earth-directed, but this could change in the days ahead as the sun's rotation turns the active region toward our planet.

Provided by JPL/NASA

Citation: Sunspot 1121 unleashes X-ray flare (2010, November 11) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2010-11-sunspot-unleashes-x-ray-flare.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Image: C3-class solar flare erupts on Sept. 8, 2010

0 shares

Feedback to editors