This is the most complex sun spot region we have seen this cycle and in quite a while. It is showing some serious complexity and will be earth facing over the next 12 days. I wouldn't fly. pic.twitter.com/kKtXIabPTW
— TheLastWatcher (@USA_Canuck) November 30, 2025
X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE (PERHAPS THE FIRST OF MANY): We were expecting an X-flare today, but this one surprised us anyway. At 0249 UTC, a previously overlooked sunspot exploded. The X1.9 category flash is shown here in an extreme ultraviolet image from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory:
The surprise? The flare did not come from giant sunspot group 4294-96 now emerging in the sun’s southern hemisphere. The actual source, an unnumbered northern sunspot, appeared to be harmless until it exploded.
The flare ionized Earth’s upper atmosphere and caused a shortwave radio blackout directly above Australia. The explosion also hurled a bright CME into space. NASA models suggest it will miss Earth.