In Photos: The Sun's Monster X9.3 Solar Flare of Sept. 6, 2017

By Christine Lunsford
published

Sunspots on Sept. 5, 2017

SWPC/NOAA

Two large sunspot groups were visible on Tuesday (Sept. 5).

Busy Star

NASA/GSFC/SDO

On September 4, 2017, the SDO captured an M5.5 class solar flare in 131 angstrom wavelength.

Closing In

NASA/GSFC/SDO

The flaring region swirls and twists in this animation of the M5.5 class solar flare that occurred on Sept. 4, 2017.

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Christine Lunsford
Christine Lunsford
Producer and Contributing Writer

Christine Lunsford joined the Space.com team in 2010 as a freelance producer and later became a contributing writer, covering astrophotography images, astronomy photos and amazing space galleries and more. During her more than 10 years with Space.com, oversaw the site's monthly skywatching updates and produced overnight features and stories on the latest space discoveries. She enjoys learning about subjects of all kinds.