Jan Mikael (16 Feb 2011)
"Info: First X-flare of the New Solar Cycle"
> Space Weather News for Feb. 15, 2011
> http://spaceweather.com
>
MAJOR FLARE: Earth-orbiting satellites have detected the
strongest solar flare in more than four years. At 0156 UT on Feb.
15th, giant sunspot 1158 unleashed an X2-class eruption. X-flares
are the strongest type of x-ray flare, and this is the first such
eruption of new Solar Cycle 24. The explosion that produced the flare
also sent a solar tsunami rippling through the sun's atmosphere and,
more importantly, hurled a coronal mass ejection toward Earth. This
raises the possibility of geomagnetic storms in the days ahead. Visit
http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.