HE STRONGEST #FLARE YET: Sunspot AR3842 exploded again today, producing the strongest #solarflare of Solar Cycle 25 so far. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the #X9.1-category blast:

#Radiation from the flare ionized the top of #Earth's atmosphere and caused a deep shortwave 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 after 12:18 UTC.

Of greater interest is the #CME. 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. #Auroras are therefore likely this weekend.
#X-ray #SolarFlares
6-hr max: #X8 1218 UT Oct03
24-hr: X8 1218 UT Oct03