The Strongest Solar Flares ever recorded!

A day later, word came from the SEC that their best estimate was X28, with a peak around 19:50 UT. Although the exact number will likely be debated for some time, it is now official: We have a new #1 X-ray flare for the record books.

Saturation of the GOES detectors also happened once earlier in SOHO's history, on 4 April 2001. That flare was reclassified as an X20.

A very preliminary estimate based on just 3 images of the associated CME came out at about 2300 km/second. Although part of the CME is directed towards Earth, we expect to receive only a glancing blow, since the source region is right on the limb of the Sun as seen from Earth.

[coolair]

Never seen the cameras get hit so hard and for so long, , 2003 was before I started watching upstairs
Pretty cool