Massive eruption on the Sun

Today a massive eruption from magnetic fields on the Sun's northeastern limb sent an M 1.7 flare out into space. M class flares are medium sized and if directed toward Earth can cause brief radio blackouts along Earth`s polar regions. Minor radiation storms occasionally follow M class flares. According to spaceweather.com "this event confirms suspicions that an active region of significance is rotating onto the Earth-facing side of the sun," so there is the possibility of an Earth directed flare soon.