Astronomy+&+Sun

Solar Flares & Sun Spots
Sun unleashes strongest solar flare yet of 2012

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http://i.space.com/images/i/14872/original/x1-solar-flare-sdo-jan-27-2012.jpg?1327696413

A massive solar flare — the strongest one so far this year — erupted today (Jan. 27) from the same active region of the sun that triggered a raging solar tempest earlier this week. The solar flare was rated an X1.7-class eruption, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). X-class flares are the [|most powerful type of solar storm], with M-class storms falling within the mid-range, and C-class flares being the weakest.