#SOLAR #FLARE AND RADIATION STORM: Departing sunspot AR3559 erupted Monday morning, Jan 29th (0438 UT), producing a strong M6.8-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the exteme #ultraviolet flash:

This flare is going to affect #Earth in several ways. It has already caused a shortwave radio blackout over Australia: blackout map. Ham radio operators and mariners may have experienced loss of signal at frequencies below 30 MHz for as much as an hour after the flare.

Next, it is almost certanly going to cause a radiation storm. Sunspot AR3559 is well-connected to Earth. This may seem counterintuitive, because the sunspot is not directly facing us. However, when sunspots are near the sun's western limb, they can link to our planet magnetically. Take a look at this diagram, and you'll understand why. It's called "the Parker Spiral." Protons energized by the flare are now following the Parker Spiral toward Earth. Within hours, an S1-class (or stronger) radiation storm may be underway.
https://spaceweather.com/