Powerful X-class solar flare erupts from sun, knocking out radio signals across the Pacific (video)
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Powerful X-class solar flare erupts from sun, knocking out radio signals across the Pacific (video)
Sunspot region 4114 unleashed its most powerful solar flare yet on June 19. The X1.9 class eruption caused a shortwave radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean. The flare also appears to have destabilized a large magnetic filament in the sun’s southern hemisphere. The event did not launch a coronal mass ejection (CME), meaning aurora hunters will be disappointed — at least for now. If future flares do launch CMEs toward Earth, they could trigger geomagnetic storms and even auroras.
The solar flare peaked at 9:50 p.m. EDT on June 19 (0150 a.m. GMT June 20) according to Space Weather Live. While this event delivered a strong burst of electromagnetic radiation, it did not launch a coronal mass ejection (CME), meaning aurora hunters will be disappointed — at least for now.
Intense enough to ionize Earth’s upper atmosphere, the eruption caused a shortwave radio blackout centered over the Pacific Ocean. Ham radio operators — especially those in Hawaii — may have noticed a sudden loss of signal on frequencies below 25 MHz shortly after the flare erupted, according to spaceweather.com. The flare also appears to have destabilized a large magnetic filament located in the sun’s southern hemisphere.
Short wave radio blackouts occurred over the Pacific Ocean on June 19. (Image credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center)
Short wave radio blackouts are common during intense solar activity, and occur when solar flares release X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation into space.
Traveling at the speed of light, this radiation reaches Earth almost instantly, ionizing the upper atmosphere. The increased ionization alters atmospheric density, impacting high-frequency shortwave radio signals used for long-distance communication. As these signals pass through the charged atmospheric layers, energy loss from collisions with electrons can weaken or even fully absorb transmissions, leading to radio blackouts.
X-class flares are the most energetic class of solar flares, with each step up in number representing a tenfold increase in power. At X1.9, this flare ranks among the stronger eruptions of the current solar cycle, and it’s further evidence that sunspot region 4114 is a highly active and magnetically complex zone worth watching. Just a few days ago, the same sunspot region erupted with another X-class solar flare, measuring X1.2. The prolific flare factory doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.
If future flares do launch CMEs toward Earth, they could trigger geomagnetic storms and even auroras. Stay up to date with the latest space weather news and forecasts on our aurora forecast live blog and NOAA’s 3-day geomagnetic outlook.
Massive X-Class Solar Flare Disrupts Radio Signals Across Pacific – Watch the Stunning Video!
Sunspot region 4114 released a powerful X1.9 solar flare on June 19, causing shortwave radio blackouts across the Pacific, including Hawaii. The solar flare peaked at 9:50 p.m. EDT, delivering a strong burst of electromagnetic radiation that ionized Earth’s upper atmosphere. While this event was impressive, it did not produce a coronal mass ejection (CME), leaving aurora enthusiasts disappointed for now.
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Sunspot region 4114 has recently made headlines by unleashing its most powerful solar flare yet. This X1.9 class flare erupted late on June 19, 2025, causing significant shortwave radio blackouts across the Pacific, including Hawaii.
6 Key Takeaways Sunspot region 4114 produced an X1.9 flare.
Solar flare caused radio blackouts in Hawaii.
No coronal mass ejection was launched.
X-class flares are the most energetic type.
Increased ionization affects high-frequency signals.
Future flares may trigger geomagnetic storms.
The solar flare peaked at 9:50 p.m. EDT, delivering a strong burst of electromagnetic radiation that ionized Earth’s upper atmosphere. While this event was impressive, it did not produce a coronal mass ejection (CME), leaving aurora enthusiasts disappointed for now.
Fast Answer: Sunspot region 4114’s X1.9 solar flare caused radio blackouts but no CMEs, highlighting its active nature.
This recent solar flare raises intriguing questions about the sun’s activity. What does this mean for future eruptions? The following points offer insight:
X-class flares are the most powerful, with X1.9 indicating significant energy release.
Shortwave radio blackouts occur when solar flares ionize the atmosphere, disrupting long-distance communication.
Sunspot region 4114 is a highly active area, likely to produce more flares.
Future flares could lead to geomagnetic storms and auroras if CMEs are generated.
Solar activity is crucial for understanding space weather’s impact on Earth and technology.
As we continue to monitor sunspot region 4114, the potential for future solar flares remains high. Staying informed about space weather can help US prepare for its effects on communication and technology.
Colossal solar flare erupts from Earth-facing sunspot, sparking strong radio blackouts over Pacific Ocean (video)
Sunspot region 4114 has fired off its strongest blast yet — an X1.2-class solar flare. The flare peaked at 5:54 p.m. EDT (2154 GMT), marking the first X-class flare from this active sunspot region. It caused a shortwave radio blackout centered over the Pacific Ocean, with the strongest impact over Hawaii.Forecasters are closely watching sunspot 4114, which remains Earth-facing and shows signs of magnetic instability. It could still produce more high-level flares in the coming hours.
Sunspot region 4114 has fired off its strongest blast yet — an X1.2-class solar flare that erupted on June 17, triggering radio blackouts across the Pacific Ocean region, including Hawaii.
The flare peaked at 5:54 p.m. EDT (2154 GMT), marking the first X-class flare from this active sunspot region, which has already been responsible for multiple M-class eruptions over the past few days.
Unlike previous eruptions from 4114, this powerful flare was not accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME) — a cloud of solar plasma and magnetic field that can travel through space and strike Earth’s magnetic field, sparking auroras. Instead, this was a rapid, intense flash of electromagnetic energy, strong enough to ionize Earth’s upper atmosphere and disrupt radio signals on the sunlit side of the planet.
The flare caused a shortwave radio blackout centered over the Pacific Ocean, with the strongest impact over Hawaii, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. Ham radio operators and aviators may have noticed signal loss at frequencies below 25 MHz shortly after the flare struck, according to spaceweather.com.
The X flare triggered shortwave radio blackouts across the Pacific Ocean. (Image credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center)
X-class flares are the most powerful type of solar flare. Tuesday’s event ranked as an X1.2, placing it at the lower end of the X-scale, but still strong enough to cause disruptions. For comparison, an X1 flare is 10 times more powerful than an M1, and 100 times stronger than a C1-class flare.
Forecasters are closely watching sunspot region 4114, which remains Earth-facing and shows signs of magnetic instability. This means it could still produce more high-level flares in the coming hours or days, and potentially with CMEs.
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If future flares do launch CMEs toward Earth, they could trigger geomagnetic storms and even auroras. For now, space weather forecasters are keeping a close eye on this prolific flare factory.
Stay up to date with the latest space weather news and forecasts on our aurora forecast live blog and NOAA’s 3-day geomagnetic outlook.