Solar Storm Warning: X-Flares Are In The Offing Giant Sunspot Facing Earth

Yesterday, the sunspot produced a long-duration X1-flare  and a strong HF radio blackout over Asia and Australia. The next X-flare, if one occurs, will be even more geoeffective as the sunspot turns toward Earth.

http://spaceweather.com/

Gargantuan Sunspot

Region 2192 continues to evolve as it rotates across the southeast quadrant of the visible solar disk. New spot development is being observed within the central portion of the cluster this morning and this indicates that this complex continues to grow.

With a prominent delta magnetic formation present, additional flaring will be very possible. Just how big is this sunspot? Our planet Earth could line up across the cluster at least 8 times over. This upcoming week will see the active region in a better geoeffective position for possible Earth directed eruptions.

Flaring Continues
Another R1 Radio Blackout was observed on Monday as region 2192 continues to churn out solar flares. The latest event initially peaked at M3.0, before rising again to M4.5 at 16:37 UTC. Additional flaring of the moderate to strong variety will be possible as the massive sunspot rotates into a geoeffective Earth facing position.

UPDATE: More flares to report. Region 2192 was reponsible for two more low level M-Flares, including an M1.4 at 19:02 UTC and M1.7 at 20:04 UTC. None of the flares have produced a noteworthy CME up until this point. will this change?  http://www.solarham.net/

Image credit: ESA/SOHO