Space Image: Large X-class flare erupts on the Sun
![Image Credit: JAXA/Hinode Large X-class Flare Erupts on the Sun](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2012/largexclassf.jpg)
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.
Provided by JPL/NASA