Major X-Class Solar Flares Unleashed by Sun (Photos)

Third X-Class Solar Flare in 24 Hours

The sun unleashed another X-class flare at 9:11 pm (EDT) on May 13, 2013, the third in 24 hours. This image was taken later in the flare. [Read the full story.]

Third X-Class Solar Flare in 24 Hours

The sun unleashed another X-class flare at 9:11 pm (EDT) on May 13, 2013, the third in 24 hours. This image was taken earlier in the flare. [Read the full story.]

Sunspot Producing Third X-Class Solar Flare in 24 Hours

This sunspot unleashed another X-class flare at 9:11 pm (EDT) on May 13, 2013, the third in 24 hours. [Read the full story.]

X1.2 Class Solar Flare May 14, 2013

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of the X1.2 class solar flare on May 14, 2013. The image shows light with a wavelength of 304 angstroms.

X1.2 Solar Flare: May 14, 2013

A huge X1.2-class solar flare erupted from the sun late Tuesday (May 14, 2013), the fourth major flare in two days from a busy sunspot on the surface of the sun. NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory captured this view of the event.

Four X-Class Flares May 12-14, 2013

These images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory show four X-class flares emitted on May 12-14, 2013 – the first four X-class flares of 2013. Each panel is a blend of two images one showing light in the 171 Angstrom wavelength and the other in 131 Angstroms.

First Moments of a Solar Flare in Different Wavelengths of Light

On Feb. 24, 2014, the sun emitted a significant solar flare, peaking at 7:49 p.m. EST. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which keeps a constant watch on the sun, captured images of the event. These SDO images from 7:25 p.m. EST on Feb. 24 show the first moments of this X-class flare in different wavelengths of light -- seen as the bright spot that appears on the left limb of the sun. Hot solar material can be seen hovering above the active region in the sun's atmosphere, the corona.