AN X-FLARE FROM 'THE DANGER ZONE': Sunspot AR3576 erupted today (0653 UT) producing a brief but intense X2.5-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) saw huge plumes of plasma fly away from the blast site:


You might think that means our planet is safely outside the line of fire. In fact, the opposite is true. AR3576 is entering a 'danger zone' where the sun and Earth are magnetically connected. This phenomenon is explained in more detail below (See "The Danger of Sunspots That Don't Face Earth").

The flare hit Earth with a pulse of energetic protons

The magnetic connection between Earth and AR3576 allowed this pulse to reach us despite the fact that the sunspot is not facing our planet. Notably, the pulse was relatively rich in "hard protons" with energies > 50 MeV, which are effective at upsetting satellite electronics.

Another X-flare from AR3576 this weekend could trigger a full-fledged radiation storm. Possible effects include high-latitude radio blackouts, fogged cameras on Earth-orbiting satellites, and elevated levels of radiation on commercial air flights. Stay tuned. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text

THE DANGER OF SUNSPOTS THAT DON'T FACE EARTH: Big sunspot AR3576 is about to disappear over the sun's western limb. This makes it uniquely dangerous.

https://www.spaceweather.com/

https://www.mrmbb333.com/

Earth dodged a REALLY big one here! *MILLIONS of MPH*