Sunspot AR2205 is crackling with M-class solar flares hurling multiple CMEs into space

© SOHO

Sunspot AR2205 is crackling with M-class solar flares. The blasts have hurled multiple CMEs into space, but so far none poses a threat to Earth. This movie from SOHO shows several storm clouds billowing over the sun's eastern limb on Nov. 5-6.Because AR2205 is not yet directly facing Earth, the CMEs are sailing wide of our planet. In the movie, Venus appears to be enveloped by the CMEs, but not really. The second planet from the sun is behind the clouds, not inside them.

More eruptions are in the offing. AR2205 has an unstable 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field that harbors energy for strong flares and CMEs. NOAA forecasters estimate a 55% chance of M-flares and a 25% chance of X-flares during the next 24 hours.