On Halloween, sunspot AR 3878 unleashed a powerful X2.0 solar flare at 5:20 p.m. EDT.

Though intense, it did not produce a coronal mass ejection (CME), meaning no geomagnetic storm or aurora effects for Earth this time.

The flare was strong enough to cause a shortwave radio blackout over parts of the Pacific, Space.com has reported.

X-class flares are the most intense solar flares, and more activity is possible through Nov. 3, with potential for additional M- and X-class flares, according to SWPC forecasts.

Written by B.C. Begley