[John H K]

So, may get some Aurora out of this after all.

Before people go bonkers I'm sure this doesn't mean the end of the world; it's still going to be weaker than if it was pointed absolutely directly at earth.

And while it's the largest ever recorded by a huge margin, we've only really been "recording" flares in a meaningful way for about 25-30 years or so.

I'm sure humanity has survived hundreds of hits like this :-)

The largest ever was an X20 on February 2, 2001, which wasn't pointed at Earth at all and I suspect most people didn't exactly notice anything.

These guys have a history of being far more accurate than US Government agencies, will take them a while before they issue a CME impact forecast.

[Heff]

The X18+ solar flare has been associated with a high velocity FULL HALO coronal mass ejection. There IS an Earthward directed component. Estimated plane of sky velocity for this event is 2381 km/sec, although it is probable the true velocity is above 2400 km/sec because there is some evidence for acceleration of the CME.

Ok...now explain this in terms that I might understand, please!

[Davea]

More info and comments here..http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1014812/posts

[scab4faa]

Dig your holes! We're all going to DIE!

[Brett66]

I was kind of hoping it would be directed right at Earth, I wanted to see the Aurora in Oklahoma. Didn't see a thing during the other events.

[mewzilla]

Break out the SPF 5,000.

[Zeppo]

Just curious - the really active sunspot groups will be back around the sun in a couple of weeks. What have amateur astronomers using small scopes equipped with hydrogen alpha filters been seeing from these solar events? Does it make sense to try and get my hands on a filter in case the sun is still jumpin' (scientific term) in a few weeks?

[Brian S]

Repent all ye sinners, the day is drawn near...! :)

[right way right]

Man, My skin sure is dry and itchy lately.

[Quix]

I'm convinced.

SOUNDS like

another

sign in the heavens

for our era

to me.

[jimkress]

It's all Bush's fault.

[tgslTakoma]

[Blue_Spark]

Well, at least with the graph from the satellite X-ray sensors it appeared to be an X-20 class event to me. Besides the X-18 last week, the largest I've recorded was back in the mid-90's with an X-8 as I recall (lot of data to sift thru to find the data plot.) Last week was the quickest shock wave I can recall, less than 24hrs to impact (typical 36-48hr.) Too bad the satellite sensors are saturated right now, I would like to see the shock wave hit on the solar wind speed indicator. Aurora? Still depends on the interplanitary magnetic field polarity (Bz) when the shock wave hits. Pretty certain there will be AU in the hi-latitudes. Question is, will the AU oval go south? Very interesting propagation effects last week on the VHF bands. Australia (VK6 & VK8) into the PNW on 50mHz late afternoon 31 October. Very unusual for so late in the solar Cycle. I've been following the data stream for 30 years myself as it is related to radio propagation (WWV rpts, then Web-data in the 90's.)
Regards, 6M op in CN85

[yonif]

When is this supposed to take place?

[SamAdams76]

"Big sunspot thing coming Earth's way. What's it all mean for me? What's it all mean for me? Do I have to still finish my Algebra homework?"

[Marie Antoinette]

In case you're interested :-)

[Jorge]

Scarey.

I'll close my venetian blinds and be sure to wear at least a 15 SPF sunscreen out doors this week.

[petuniasevan]

As usual: Cloudy here in E. Wisconsin. No break since before this current spate of CMEs began. Sigh.

To keep up on solar activity and auroras, visit Spaceweather.com.

SOHO site calls it an "X-whatever" flare!

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Gaaaah! Only one thing to do!

[Imal]

Global warming!