A massive sunspot cluster responsible for May's epic auroras has returned, unleashing a significant X2.9-class solar flare. This event, centered around 14:35 UTC on May 29, has led to radio blackouts in the US and is expected to cause further disruptions, including potential GPS disruptions. The flare, from sunspot region 3697, lasted for 12 hours and is a continuation of the activity from the previous sunspot region 3664, which caused the May 10-11 geomagnetic storm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has given a 60% chance of additional R3 radio blackouts this week. The solar storm is also expected to produce magnificent auroras, with sightings anticipated in northeast Canada and possibly the US.
Remember the amazing #aurora earlier this month? Well the region of the sun responsible for the space weather has survived its "solar rotation" and put out flares earlier Wednesday morning: https://t.co/b13tsyd6uy
BREAKING: US is hit by radio blackouts caused by powerful solar storm and NOAA predicts more disruptions are on the way. https://t.co/7CFO6UNZiI
NEW: US is hit by radio blackouts caused by powerful solar storm - and NOAA predicts more disruptions are on the way - Daily Mail https://t.co/EnmTlfnIzz
NEW: US is hit by radio blackouts caused by powerful solar storm - and NOAA predicts more disruptions are on the way, Daily Mail reports
US is hit by radio blackouts caused by powerful solar storm - and NOAA predicts more disruptions are on the way https://t.co/dAJ0CUEooV https://t.co/IcA7CpWoAn
The night the sky turned pink. In honor of sunspot region 3664 swinging back around from the farside of the Sun, an image captured from the May 10th G5 event. Time will tell if this active region still has some gas in the tank for more auroras ahead. Stay tuned! https://t.co/PGC6sCRqjQ
Massive sunspot responsible for May's epic auroras unleashes major X-class solar flare (video) https://t.co/IeTEISf4Hc https://t.co/lCiy743lG1
🚨ANOTHER SOLAR STORM COULD HIT EARTH THIS WEEK While the current storm isn't expected to be as intense as the previous one, it may still cause significant R3 radio blackouts and GPS disruptions. Auroras are expected in northeast Canada tonight, with the US potentially… https://t.co/djPgsNvCN5
Biggie! Centered around 14:35 UTC /7:35 AM PDT. Long-duration flare, from old AR3664, now 3697. X-class flare. Affecting HF radio. Let's see what the associated CME does. Still, 3697 is no 3664. It's weakening. @TamithaSkov @CadiereGerald @drmna_info @RyanVoutilainen @Zach_wx https://t.co/0XyeVkMYhc
NEW: One more powerful solar storm could be headed our way — bringing blackouts, auroras and more https://t.co/RNFql5sxhT
Northern and southern lights produced by a recent bout of severe space weather may rival the most intense auroras of the past 500 years https://t.co/ZMXgH5tpsW
NEW: Sunspot behind historic auroras and solar storm returns for more displays https://t.co/RNFql5sxhT
Earth poised for another major solar storm this WEEK creating magnificent auroras - as NOAA gives 60% chance of radio blackouts https://t.co/s2dQw2U73w https://t.co/2J0LJKbJhW
Persistent, long-duration flare. Will we see anything remotely close to the May 10-11 geomagnetic storm as this sunspot cluster rotates into earth-facing view. https://t.co/prIuAKynvw
Yesterday’s X2.9-class #SolarFlare was a truly long duration event! Whereas most flares last <1 hour, this clip shows 12 hours of continued flare loop growth and complex above-loop downflows - showing that flare energy release persisted for over half a day! #spaceweather https://t.co/so4Nl7k6wr
Get Ready for More Auroras: The Enormous Sunspot Cluster Is Back https://t.co/9S0DYTfGLb https://t.co/ysmJ8AhOlV
Colossal X-class solar flare suggests return of sunspot group that fueled May's epic auroras (video) https://t.co/u6f2DiQmnO https://t.co/EWk1plZXvS
Monster sunspot that triggered solar storm on Earth returns with a bang ​#SolarStorm ​ https://t.co/rEFkZcolCu