Direct Hit: Powerful X9.1 Flare and Earth-Directed CME - Strongest X-Ray Event of Solar Cycle 25

Sunspot AR3842 exploded again today, producing the strongest solar flare of Solar Cycle 25 so far. A major X9.1 solar flare was detected around Earth facing sunspot region 3842 at 12:18 UTC (Oct 3). Earth-Directed CME Of greater interest is the CME. Because the source region AR 3842 is directly facing Earth, the plasma cloud appears to be aimed directly towards our planet. Preliminary SOHO coronagraph images show a halo CME emerging from the blast site. This CME will probably strike Earth on Oct. 6th, adding its effect to that of an earlier CME expected to arrive on Oct. 4th. Sky watchers should be alert for auroral displays this weekend. R3 (Strong) Radio Blackout Radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth’s atmosphere causing a deep shortwave radio blackout over Africa and the South Atlantic. Ham radio operators in the area may have noticed loss of signal at frequencies below 30 MHz for as much as a half an hour. #Xflare #CME #solarstorm Images credit: nemesis maturity channel, NOAA/SWPC, AIA/SDO, NASA, SOHO/LASCO, Music credit: YouTube Audio Library Kurt - Cheel