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Nasa Captures Sun's Dramatic Solar Flares

The sun put on a dramatic light show display, with a sunspot emitting two bright solar flares in quick succession.

The flares were powerful enough to temporarily interfere with radio communications in Europe.

A solar flare is defined as a sudden, rapid and intense variation in brightness.

It occurs when magnetic energy that has built up in the solar atmosphere is suddenly released.

The release of the sun's flares were captured by Nasa Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Solar flares are measured by class, with the X-class being the most powerful as they emit X-rays and UV radiation.

Wednesday's flares measured X2.2 and X1.5.

The numbers reflect the strength of the flare - for example, an X2 is twice as intense as an X1, while an X3 is three times as intense, and so on.