The sun has unleashed the most powerful solar flare since 2017, just days after it spat out another monster explosion. Both outbursts have launched solar storms that will likely hit Earth this weekend and trigger vibrant aurora displays.

The Sun unleashed a powerful X9.0 solar flare, the most intense in over 7 years. On October 3, 2024, the Sun emitted an exceptionally powerful X9.0 solar flare, peaking at 8:18 a.m. ET. This event, captured vividly by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory,

The sun is in a spirited mood as it kicks out a glowing series of solar flares, including a fresh X9 that's the most intense we've seen in years.