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The sun emitted an X-class solar flare, the strongest classification of flare, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported on Tuesday, June 20.

Vision from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was compiled by solar physicist Dr Ryan French.

“A solar flare is an explosive release of energy within the atmosphere of the Sun, often associated with the eruption of solar plasma into the solar system,” French told Storyful. “Yesterday saw an ‘X-class’, the largest category of solar flare, erupting on the Sun.”

He said the eruption was not directed at Earth “but was the first eruption of this category since March.”

“We expect a higher frequency of these eruptions as the Sun approaches the maximum of its 11 year cycle in the next [one-to-two] years,” French said. Credit: Dr Ryan French via Storyful