An X-class (X7 according to Spaceweather.com) solar flare just occured from sunspot 1263, apparantly around 8:35 UTC.

X-class flares are the most powerful category of solar flares, which can cause all sorts of problems when earth-directed. It is currently unkown whether this is the case.

Last week has been an extremely active period, with 3 M-class CME’s (originating from sunspot 1261) merging into one large CME.

UPDATE: according to Solarham.com the flare is not fully earth-directed.

X-ray data for X6-class solar flare (sunspot 1263)

update: NASA Stereo Beacon data of this event

Stereo Beacon data on sunspot 1263 flare

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Sunspot 1263 doubles in size

Sunspot 1263 has doubled in size over the past 28 hours. According to SDO/HMI it has a “beta-gamma-delta” class magnetic field that harbors energy for X-class solar flares, the strongest class for solar flares.

X-class flares have a high probability of disrupting power grids and wireless communication.

Interestingly, sunspot 1263 will be almost in the same place as sunspot 1261 last week, which erupted 3 times causing earth-directed M-class flares.

Source: http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=07&month=08&year=2011

Related posts:

1. sunspot 1263: X-class flare just occured
2. sun: two massive M-class CME’s will arrive august 5th and 6th
3. ALERT: third strong solar flare in a row, major impact expected

2 solar flares merged into one huge CME

A major geomagnetic impact is expected August 5th around 10:00 (UT), as two strong M-class flares have merged into one giant flare, according to GSFC Space Weather Lab.

August 4th, a third strong CME was ejected from our sun,

“The impact on Earth is likely to be major. The estimated maximum geomagnetic activity index level Kp is 7 (Kp ranges from 0 – 9). The flanks of the CME may also impact STEREO A, Mars and Mercury/MESSENGER.”

See the animation for the projected path: Earth is the yellow dot.

source: http://www.spaceweather.com/

UPDATE: NOAA explains what is happening (video)

Related posts:

1. Recent solar flare information: NASA news briefing thursday about space weather threats
2. sunspot 1263: X-class flare just occured
3. Sunspot 1263 doubles in size in just 28 hour: X-class flare could occur