Sunburst could be a big blow

The sun is nearing the peak of its activity cycle, spitting out flares and plasma like a dragon.

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March 4, 2012

This image released by NASA is a view of a X1 solar flare in a new active region on the Sun, region 1429. It has let loose two M-class flares and one X-class so far. The M-class flares erupted on March 2 and on March 4. The third flare, rated an X1, peaked at 10:30 ET on March 4. A CME accompanied each flare, though due to the fact that this active region is still off to the side of the sun, the flares will likely have a weak effect on Earth's magnetosphere.

/ AP

Jan. 27,2012

This NASA image obtained Feb. 7, 2012 shows a large X-class flare that erupted on Jan. 27, from an active region near the solar west limb. X-class flares are the most powerful of all solar events. Seen here is an image of the flare captured by the X-ray telescope on Hinode. This image shows an emission from plasma heated to greater than eight million degrees during the energy release process of the flare.

/ AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Jan. 23, 2012

This colorized NASA image from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows a flare shooting out of the top of the sun. It was taken in a special teal wavelength to best see the flare. Space weather officials say the strongest solar storm in more than six years is already bombarding Earth with radiation with more to come.

/ AP

Jan. 23, 2012

This image provided by NASA, captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows an M9-class solar flare erupting on the Sun's northeastern hemisphere at 03:49 Universal Time, just 4 days after a previous strong CME that sparked aurora around the world.

/ AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 19, 2012

A solar flare is captured by Solar Dynamics Observatory.

/ AFP/Getty Images

June 7, 2011

A solar flare erupts off the sun, causing a large cloud of particles to fly off its surface.

/ Getty Images

July 3, 2008

Multiple flares erupt from the sun's surface. Major flares could knock some of the North American power grid offline.

/ AP

Oct. 28, 2003

A spectacular eruption on the surface of the sun, seen by NASA's SOHO space satellite, sent charged particles hurling toward Earth.

/ AP

Oct. 20, 1999

Energy leaving the sun's surface was photographed using a coronograph at National Solar Observatory in Sunspot, N.M. Eruptions like these are the kind of solar activity that impact the belts that shield the Earth, causing spikes that can knock out satellites.

/ AP

May 28, 1998

The intense bright region in this X-ray image of the sun shows a moderately sized solar flare on its surface. The solar flare, which shot out of a huge bubble of superheated gas, was accompanied by a quake inside the sun equal to a 11.3-magnitude quake on Earth.

/ AP

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PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

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COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

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