So far, the Sun has emitted six X-class solar flares in the first four days of February. X-class flares are the most powerful.
In this composite image, we’ve layered all six X-class flares onto the Sun at once, to show the active areas. The images come from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which observes the Sun in different wavelengths, using filters that emphasize different characteristics. Flare #6, for example, shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares, which is colored in red and blue.
The Sun’s magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle, about every 11 years, with periods of more and less activity. The Sun reached its most active phase – solar maximum – in 2024, which means we’re still in a fairly active period of the cycle.
For news of the recent flares: https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/solar-cycle-25/
Image Description
Composite image of 6 X-class solar flares emitted in February. In the center, the Sun is a dark red globe with mottled darker and glowing orange spots. Just above the equator and to the left of center longitudinally, 2 bright white glowing spots are made of the combined 6 X-class flares emitted so far. Six squares pop out from the center Sun, with lines connecting to the spot on the composite Sun their flare is contributing. Along the top, the squares are labeled 2, 4 and 6. Each has a subset of the Sun seen in a different colored wavelength. Box 2 is a purple Sun with a pinkish flare, from Feb. 2, 2026. Box 4 is a golden Sun with a white flare from Feb. 2, 2026. Box 6 is a pink Sun with an orange flare from Feb. 4, 2026. Along the bottom, the boxes are labeled 1, 3 and 5. Box 1 has a turquoise Sun with a teal flare from Feb. 1, 2026. Box 3 has a yellow Sun with an orange flare from Feb. 2, 2026. Box 5 has a red Sun the same color as the center, with a white flare, from Feb. 3, 2026.