Eruption of solar radiation from an active region of the Sun, classed as an X5.8 solar flare (lower right). This phenomenon occurs when magnetic energy that has built up in the solar atmosphere is suddenly released, resulting in the emission of electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum. X-class flares are the most powerful and can trigger radio blackouts worldwide, as well as long-lasting radiation storms in the upper atmosphere. Image obtained at a wavelength of 193 angstroms by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instrument on NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).