X Class Flare Sends Waves of Ionization Over Asia, Australia

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Views of the October 23 flare in different wavelengths as seend by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (Credits: NASA).

Sunspot AR1598 emerged over the southeast limb of the Sun just three days ago, but already it has emitted four significant solar flares. The latest erupted on October 23 at 0322 UT. The X1.8 class flare was captured in the extreme ultraviolet range by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. Although radiation from the flare created waves of ionization over Asia and Australia, no substantial Coronal Mass Ejection was emitted and no enhanced aurorae are expected. High latitudes may have experienced some moderate radio blackout effects just after the flare.

As AR1598 turned towards Earth, further eruptions can be anticipated, and more of them will be headed this way.

Watch Tuesday flare as recorded by SDO below:

Merryl Azriel

Merryl is Managing Editor of Space Safety Magazine and Vice President of Public Affairs for the International Space Safety Foundation. A Chemical Engineer and graduate of the International Space University with a Masters in Space Studies, Merryl is committed to the advancement of manned exploration and utilization of space resources.

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