A new sunspot, AR3341, erupted on June 20, causing an X1.1-class solar flare (17:09 UT). NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the flare in extreme ultraviolet light.
Radiation from the flare ionized the upper atmosphere of the Earth. It caused shortwave radio over North America to shut down . Aviators and amateur radio operators could notice a loss of signal on frequencies below 30 MHz for as much as 20 minutes after the flash.
SOHO coronagraphs have since picked up a CME coming out of the explosion site. It appears to be bright and fast. The type II solar radio emission detected by the U.S. Air Force suggests an expansion rate of over 1000 km/sec. Where the emission is directed has not yet been published.
