On May 13, it had been observed that a group of sunspots collectively labeled AR1748 produced 2013's first four X-class solar flares, within 48 hours. Solar flares are ranked in order according to their peak brightness in X rays; the X-class solar flares are the most powerful class, often accompanied by coronal mass ejections (massive clouds of high-energy plasma ejected into space) as well. In the picture, clockwise from the time left, the time sequence of the solar flares displays the four flashes taken through extreme ultraviolet means in the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Coronal mass ejections from the first three flares were not directed toward Earth, but one that accompanied the fourth may have affected Earth's magnetic field on May 18. AR1748 caused temporary radio blackouts, and may produce more strong flares yet. This active region is rotating into a more direct view on the Sun's "nearside."
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