A long duration M3.3 flare with a beautiful eruption and CME!
Active region AR11818 produced a flare peaking in X-ray at 18:24 UT (2:24 pm EDT). The eruption produced extended X-ray emission with another flare, ~M1.5 after the initial eruption around 19:50 UT. The event ejected material that produced a Coronal Mass Ejection. Very preliminary measurements give a speed of roughly 1200 km/s or 2.6 million mph. The CME is headed in the southwest direction. We will have to wait for computer models but it looks like it could graze Earth based on looking at STEREO data.
Here are some snapshots with SDO 193/131, a zoom in with 304/171 and a look at the CME with LASCO (SDO 304 shows the sun.)
SDO AIA 193 and 131 Angstrom Images of the eruption
SDO AIA 304 and 171 Angstrom Images of the eruption a little more zoomed in.
The Coronal Mass Ejection in SOHO/LASCO C2 with SDO/AIA 304 showing the sun.
credit: NASA/ESA/SDO/SOHO/STEREO/helioviewer
