An X-class (X7 according to Spaceweather.com) solar flare just occured from sunspot 1263, apparantly around 8:35 UTC.

X-class flares are the most powerful category of solar flares, which can cause all sorts of problems when earth-directed. It is currently unkown whether this is the case.

Last week has been an extremely active period, with 3 M-class CME’s (originating from sunspot 1261) merging into one large CME.

UPDATE: according to Solarham.com the flare is not fully earth-directed.

X-ray data for X6-class solar flare (sunspot 1263)

update: NASA Stereo Beacon data of this event

Stereo Beacon data on sunspot 1263 flare

Related posts:

1. Sunspot 1263 doubles in size in just 28 hour: X-class flare could occur
2. sun: two massive M-class CME’s will arrive august 5th and 6th
3. ALERT: third strong solar flare in a row, major impact expected