Sun Dancing..... Impressive CME yesterday

The Sun is dancing a tango again.  Lots of information below, including SuspiciousObservers latest update (bottom).

For the SkyWatchers out there, you might find this article from Watchers interesting:

May 2013 Skywatching guide

http://www.solarham.net/

The Sun Today : Updated May 1, 2013  [Active Regions] Magnetogram Solar Flare Risk M-Class: 40% X-Class: 05% Active Watches Geomag. Storm     YES Radiation Storm     NO

Added 05/01/2013 @ 03:40 UTC Monster Eruption One of the largest prominence eruptions in quite some time was observed off the eastern limb. This image by SDO using the 304 angstroms channel captures the massive blob of plasma in action. A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is to be expected, however because of the location, it should be directed mostly away from Earth. Stay Tuned for updates.

UPDATE: The large eruption from just beyond the east limb may have been in conjunction with a solar flare around old Sunspot 1719. This image by STEREO Behind captures the flash of the flare event. The solar rotation will carry old region 1719 into view later this week. A bright Coronal Mass Ejection is now visible in the latest STEREO imagery. Because this event took place beyond the east limb, the plasma cloud should have little impact on Earth.

A spectacular prominence eruption was observed on the Sun on May 1, 2013 at 02:30 UTC. The event was classified as a farside eruption from active region located beyond eastern limb. This was the largest such event in quite some time now.

Powerful blast was unleashed into space and resulting Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is not Earth directed. This region should rotate onto Earth facing side of the Sun in 2-3 days.

Flare probability

At 01:26 UTC, an impulsive C9.6 solar flare was detected. The event was centered around Sunspot 1730 located in the southern hemisphere.

NOAA SWPC forecasters estimated 40% chance for M-class, and 5% chance for X-class event today.

Sunspots

There are currently 7 numbered sunspot regions on the disk. Beta-Gamma-Delta classified Region 1731 is the one to watch today as it is directly facing Earth. Region 1730, also Beta-Gamma-Delta, is slowly rotating out of Earth’s view. Other than that, Regions 1732 and 1734 have Beta magnetic field and will turn directly toward Earth in the coming days.

Old Region 1719 is coming back to Earth side of the Sun and should be visible in next 2-3 days.

http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/2013/05/01/solar-watch-huge-prominence-eruption-may-1-2013/

TODAY's New LINKS:
Fermi Close Call: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GLA...