Another Strong Solar Flare

Demonstrating its continued potency, sunspot AR3536 produced another strong flare today. The M4-class explosion peaked on Jan. 4th at 0155 UT, and hurled a streamer of plasma into space:

Extreme ultraviolet radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, causing a shortwave radio blackout over Australia and the surrounding Pacific Ocean. Mariners may have noticed loss of signal at frequencies below 20 MHz for more than 30 minutes after the flare's peak.

The escaping streamer may have formed the core of a CME. Confirmation awaits fresh images from SOHO coronagraphs. Stay tuned.

SOURCE: https://www.spaceweather.com/