Sunspot

Space Weather Message Code: ALTXMF

Serial Number: 187
Issue Time: 2013 May 13 0206 UTC

ALERT: X-Ray Flux exceeded M5
Threshold Reached: 2013 May 13 0204 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 

From: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/alerts/warnings_timeline.html

NASA reports that a huge X1.4 class flare erupted from the center of the sun on July 12, 2012, at 10 a.m. PDT, which erupted from a part of the sun known as Active Region 1520.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has released this incredible image of the enormous flare, which could well interfere with radio and navigation systems on Earth.

Making the situation even more volatile, the flight center reports there was a coronal mass ejection, which occurred simultaneously.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports: