The sun’s strongest flare in 11 years might help explain a solar paradox
Physicists will test why the biggest flashes tend to occur as a solar cycle ebbs

SPOT OF BOTHER The same complicated sunspot spat out seven flares from September 4 to 10. This image shows in ultraviolet light the second-largest flare (bright flash at right), which was emitted on September 10.
SDO/GSFC/NASA
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