The Watchers
By Teo Blaskovic
July 3, 2021
A major solar flare measuring X1.5 at its peak erupted on the Sun’s NW limb — most likely from the newly-formed Active Region 2838 — on July 3, 2021, producing R3 – Strong radio blackout. The event started at 14:18, peaked at 14:29, and ended at 14:34 UTC. This is the first X-class solar flare of Solar Cycle 25 and the first since September 2017.
A Type II Radio emission with an estimated velocity of 375 km/s was registered at 14:37 UTC. Type II emissions occur in association with eruptions on the sun and typically indicate a coronal mass ejection is associated with a flare event.