Boulder, CO – A moderate M5.9 solar flare erupted Friday evening, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The flare was detected at 22:22 UTC from a newly emerging sunspot group rotating into view along the eastern limb of the Sun.
According to NOAA, the flare reached R2-Moderate status on the radio blackout scale. Flares of this strength are not unusual during periods of heightened solar activity, but they occur less frequently than lower-level M-class events. The flare was captured in SUVI 131 Angstrom imagery from the GOES-19 satellite, showing a bright, impulsive burst along the eastern solar edge.
SWPC says M-class flares of this intensity tend to be impulsive, rising and falling over minutes, though some can last longer depending on the structure of the active region. Initial impacts from today’s flare include brief degradation or loss of high-frequency (HF) radio communication on the sunlit side of Earth, potentially affecting aviation, marine operations, and amateur radio users. Most disruptions typically last only tens of minutes.
NOAA analysts are now examining available imagery to determine whether the flare launched a coronal mass ejection (CME). A CME directed toward Earth can enhance geomagnetic storm potential, especially if it contains south-pointing magnetic fields. At this time, no CME has been confirmed.
Forecasters emphasize that additional updates will be issued as new imagery and solar wind data come in. The sunspot group responsible for today’s flare has not yet been numbered and is still rotating onto the Earth-facing side, suggesting more activity may be possible in the days ahead.
