Space Image: Large X-class flare erupts on the Sun

On Jan. 27, 2012, a large X-class flare erupted from an active region near the solar west limb. X-class flares are the most powerful of all solar events.

Seen here is an image of the flare captured by the X-ray telescope on Hinode.

This image shows an emission from plasma heated to greater than eight million degrees during the energy release process of the flare.