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Double M-Class Solar Flare Sends CME Toward Earth With Dec. 9 Arrival Forecast

Scientists expect moderate geomagnetic storms rather than a repeat of November's severe event.

Overview

  • The Solar Astronomy Lab of Russia’s Space Research Institute reports that a coronal mass ejection from a late Dec. 6 double M-class flare is Earth-directed.
  • The plasma cloud is forecast to reach Earth on Dec. 9, most likely in the first half of the day.
  • Researchers project G2–G3 geomagnetic activity and say a storm on the scale of mid-November is not expected at this time.
  • The eruption originated from active region 4274, now renumbered 4299, which produced the Nov. 11 X5.1 flare.
  • Despite the region’s decayed appearance after nearly a full solar rotation, the flare’s peak emission approached the X category.