X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE (UPDATED) : A big and very active sunspot complex emerged over the sun's northeastern limb yesterday. It has already produced an X1-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the blast on April 17th at 03:34 UT:
A pulse of X-rays from the flare produced a strong shortwave radio blackout over southeast Asia and Australia: map. Mariners, aviators, and ham radio operators may have noticed unusual propagation effects at frequencies below 30 MHz.
Update: New images from SOHO confirm that the explosion hurled a CME into space: movie. The bulk of the CME will miss Earth, passing behind our planet in its orbit around the sun. However, there might be an Earth-directed component. NOAA analysts are looking into this now.
Above: Active sunspot group AR2993-94. Photo credit: Philippe Tosi of Nîmes, France
Meanwhile, get ready for more flares. This sunspot group has been active for more than a week, hurling CMEs and plumes of plasma into space from its location on the farside of the sun. Now it is turning to face Earth and shows no signs of slowing down. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
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You can have it for $152.95. The moonstone's sterling silver infinity wrap is inscribed with the words "I love you forever." It makes a great Mother's Day, anniversary or birthday gift. The moonstone comes with a greeting card showing the pendant in flight, telling the story of its trip to the edge of space and back again.
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