M3.0-class solar flare on February 20, 2014

M3.0 - Flare began at: 0726 peaked at: 0756 ended at: 0825 6.3E-02 (sunspot active region 1976)

What is a coronal mass ejection or CME?

The outer solar atmosphere, the corona, is structured by strong magnetic fields. Where these fields are closed, often above sunspot groups, the confined solar atmosphere can suddenly and violently release bubbles of gas and magnetic fields called coronal mass ejections. A large CME can contain a billion tons of matter that can be accelerated to several million miles per hour in a spectacular explosion. Solar material streams out through the interplanetary medium, impacting any planet or spacecraft in its path. CMEs are sometimes associated with flares but can occur independently.

"The GOES 12 through 15 spacecraft each carry a sophisticated Solar X-ray Imager to monitor the Sun's X-rays for the early detection of solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other phenomena that impact the geospace environment."

SWPC Real-time Monitor Displays

SOHO (ESA & NASA)