SPACE.com Image Gallery: Hyperactive Sun

Hyperactive Sun

Warning Signs

On September 5, 2005, the C2 coronagraph observed a bulbous coronal mass ejection heading out from behind the left side of the Sun. This is just about where old sunspot region 798 would be. When viewing this active region previously, it was producing several substantial solar storms. It was probably the source of several large solar storms that occurred on the far side of the Sun. And just as scientists suspected it might perform, the same region, while still just at the Sun's left edge, erupted two days later with an X17 flare (almost off the scale) and an associated CME. If the estimate is correct, that would make it the fifth largest flare ever recorded. Click to enlarge.

Credit: SOHO