Overview
- Active Region 4294–96, among the largest sunspot complexes in about a decade, has appeared with a magnetically complex beta–gamma–delta classification.
- Earth-orbiting satellites recorded an X1.9-class flare at 02:49 UTC on December 1 (9:49 p.m. ET Nov. 30), which originated from smaller region AR 4295.
- The flare caused a shortwave radio blackout over Australia that disrupted aviation and maritime communications for roughly 30 minutes.
- NASA and NOAA have not confirmed an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection from this event, but they caution that further X-class flares and geomagnetic storms are possible in the days ahead.
- NASA’s Perseverance rover captured images of the vast sunspot complex from Mars, as agencies warn potential impacts include degraded radio and GPS signals, satellite issues, and power-grid disturbances alongside enhanced aurora potential.