Sun and X1 solar flare. Composite ultraviolet image from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) of the Sun with an X1-class solar flare eruptiing at upper right (red area). The SDO is an Earth-orbiting spacecraft launched in 2010 by NASA and used to observe the Sun. Here, the Sun and its atmosphere (not seen in visible light) is seen combined at wavelengths of 30MB4 and 171 angstroms (extreme ultraviolet). Image data obtained on 29 March 2014.