M+ Flare As GOES Xray Data Stops Updating

Updated @ 04:13 UTC Thursday May 17:

   At 01:25 UTC Thursday, May 17 there was a significant rise in the GOES Xray flux. The rise quickly reached the M4.6 range @ 01:42 UTC coming from around sunspot region 1476. That is where the data stuck at and stopped updating. At this time, 02:17 UTC, the Xray fluc appears to still be stuck at the M4.6 range and data is still not updating. Looking at solar images for the time of the M4.6 occurred @ 01:42, and comparing the images to after the moment the Xray flux froze, it would appear that there may have been a X flare. We are still going over image data and searching for any info on why GOES stuck and stopped updating. we will post any and all info we find. Stay tuned for updates to follow.

   Here we can see where the GOES Xray flux stuck and stopped updating.

   GOES came back online showing data that would show we had a M5.1 solar flare peaking @ 01:47 UTC. According to the GOES data, the flare peaked 1 min after the GOES Xray flux went offline. Though we can clearly see the flare become much brighter for up to a half hour after the flare began, and even after the GOES data stopped updating. More images to come. hold tight

   There was a CME produced with this event. we will update with the condition of this CME and the possible effects on Earth as soon as were able to go over a bit more data.

The CME associated with this event caused a significant proton spike, as we can see here. Protons are still rising as of the time of this update.



Global D Absorption Map - May 17, 2012

SWPC Alerts Issued:

Issue Time: 2012 May 17 0329 UTC
SUMMARY: 10cm Radio Burst
Begin Time: 2012 May 17 0129 UTC
Maximum Time: 2012 May 17 0142 UTC
End Time: 2012 May 17 0151 UTC
Duration: 22 minutes
Peak Flux: 600 sfu
Latest Penticton Noon Flux: 131 sfu
Description: A 10cm radio burst indicates that the electromagnetic burst associated with a solar flare at the 10cm wavelength was double or greater than the initial 10cm radio background. This can be indicative of significant radio noise in association with a solar flare. This noise is generally short-lived but can cause interference for sensitive receivers including radar, GPS, and satellite communications.

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Issue Time: 2012 May 17 0327 UTC
ALERT: Type II Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2012 May 17 0131 UTC
Estimated Velocity: 645 km/s
Description: Type II emissions occur in association with eruptions on the sun and typically indicate a coronal mass ejection is associated with a flare event.

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Issue Time: 2012 May 17 0327 UTC
ALERT: Type IV Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2012 May 17 0132 UTC
Description: Type IV emissions occur in association with major eruptions on the sun and are typically associated with strong coronal mass ejections and solar radiation storms

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Issue Time: 2012 May 17 0258 UTC
SUMMARY: X-ray Event exceeded M5
Begin Time: 2012 May 17 0125 UTC
Maximum Time: 2012 May 17 0147 UTC
End Time: 2012 May 17 0214 UTC
X-ray Class: M5.1
Location: N13W73
NOAA Scale: R2 - Moderate
Potential Impacts: Area of impact centered primarily on sub-solar point on the sunlit side of Earth.
Radio - Limited blackout of HF (high frequency) radio communication for tens of minutes.

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Issue Time: 2012 May 17 0257 UTC
ALERT: X-Ray Flux exceeded M5
Threshold Reached: 2012 May 17 0143 UTC
NOAA Scale: R2 - Moderate
Potential Impacts: Area of impact centered on sub-solar point on the sunlit side of Earth. Extent of blackout of HF (high frequency) radio communication dependent upon current X-ray Flux intensity. For real-time information on affected area and expected duration please see
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/drap/index.html.

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Issue Time: 2012 May 17 0256 UTC
WARNING: Proton 100MeV Integral Flux above 1pfu expected
Valid From: 2012 May 17 0255 UTC
Valid To: 2012 May 17 2359 UTC
Warning Condition: Onset
Potential Impacts: An enhancement in the energetic portion of the solar radiation spectrum may indicate increased biological risk to astronauts or passengers and crew in high latitude, high altitude flights. Additionally, energetic particles may represent an increased risk to all satellite systems susceptible to single event effects. This information should be used in conjunction with the current Solar Radiation Storm conditions when assessing overall impact