The Sun is experiencing an X8.1-level flare, the third most powerful in the current cycle.

An X8.11 solar flare was recorded. Its maximum occurred at 2:57 AM Moscow time.
The location of the explosion was active region No. 4366.

At the time of the explosion, the region was at an angle of approximately 35° from the Sun-Earth line. Direct impacts on the planet from such a position are definitely ruled out. Regarding tangential impacts, this will become clear in a few hours. Right now, nothing is clear at all.

The black cloud in the left video is apparently the remains of a ruptured solar prominence.

The flare is the third most powerful in the current solar cycle. Currently, the top three events of solar cycle 25 are as follows:
1. X9.0 flare of October 3, 2024.
2. X9.0 flare of May 14, 2024.
3. X8.1 flare of February 2, 2026.

Video 1920x1080 (36 MB) — link.