Sunspot region 2297, M4.5 solar flare

Monday, 9 March 2015 18:47 UTC

An impulsive M4.5 (R1-minor) solar flare peaked at 14:33 UTC from sunspot region 2297. pic.twitter.com/1FNJXscO8w

— SpaceWeatherLive (@_SpaceWeather_) 9 maart 2015

There was also a C9.1 solar flare from this same sunspot region around 17:44 UTC which was associated with Type II and IV radio emissions. SDO imagery shows there might have been a tiny bit of ejecta from this solar flare but it is expected to be directed well east and away from Earth.

ALERT: Type II Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2015 Mar 09 1744 UTC
Estimated Velocity: 871 km/s

ALERT: Type IV Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2015 Mar 09 1753 UTC

Sunspot region 2297

So sunspot region 2297 is still active. Will this continue in next 24 hours? A quick look at this sunspot region shows that it developed two delta sunspots and both of these spots show signs of growth. While the overall area coverage of this group isn't something to write home about, it has the potential to pack a punch. More M-class activity is likely in the next 24 hours but the chance for an X-class solar flare remains low because of the modest size of this sunspot region. 

M-class flare probability for the coming 24 hours: 60% chance
X-class flare probability for the coming 24 hours: 15% chance

Images: Sunspot region 2297 as seen by NASA SDO. Delta sunspots are indicated by an arrow.