A powerful M6.8 class flare occurred on the Sun. This is the penultimate power class before the strongest X-level. The event was recorded in the X-ray range in sunspot group 4473.
According to the Institute of Applied Geophysics, the peak of the flare occurred on the evening of June 21 at 22:29 Moscow time. It lasted 18 minutes.
The Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of IKI RAS and ISZF SB RAS also indicates that this was the strongest flare of the day. In total, on June 21, seven flares of class C and higher were registered on the Sun: five of class C and two of class M. There were no flares of the most powerful class X on this day.
Earlier, an M2.6 flare had already occurred in the same active region 4473. It was noticeably weaker than the evening M6.8, but also belonged to the powerful M class.
Solar flares are divided by X-ray radiation strength into five classes: A, B, C, M, and X. With each subsequent letter, the power increases 10 times. Class M is already strong activity, but above it is class X.
However, a solar flare does not always mean a magnetic storm on Earth. For this, it is important whether there was an ejection of solar plasma and whether it was directed towards our planet. According to the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy, magnetic storms are not expected in the next 24 hours.
