An extreme-level solar flare, designated X8.1, has been registered on the Sun, ranking among the most potent recorded throughout the 25th solar cycle. The peak of this event occurred at 02:57 Moscow time on February 2nd, 2026. This eruption originated within active region No. 4366, marking an escalation following a stretch where solar activity had been near dormancy.
Initial data suggests the location where the flare developed was situated at an angle of roughly 35° relative to the Sun-Earth line, thus preventing direct impacts on our planet. Whether tangential effects might still occur remains uncertain, as determining the characteristics of the coronal mass ejection will require several hours of analysis. Recordings show a dark cloud formation, which is presumed to be residual material from a disrupted solar prominence.
Based on revised power assessments, this X8.1 flare claims the third spot in strength among the most powerful occurrences of the present solar cycle. The top two positions are still held by X9.0 flares previously recorded in May and October of 2024.
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