The ring of fire, heated to tens of millions of degrees, stretches out tens of thousands of miles.
The pictures were taken yesterday by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) - the most advanced spacecraft ever designed to study the Sun.
Extreme ultraviolet radiation from the plasma eruption was propelled into space but was not travelling in the direction of Earth where it could have disrupted telecommunications and satellites.
A solar flare captured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory yesterday. The plasma eruption will be heated to many millions of degrees
Scientists know that such solar activity plays a significant role on the weather we experience on Earth by interacting with our planet's magnetic fields and upper atmosphere.
Recently UK researchers linked low solar activity and freezing cold winters in Europe. However, the mechanism behind this is not fully understood.
It is hoped the SDO will help scientists learn the damage solar flares can do to communication satellites and power supplies.
Last month a particularly large 'solar tsunami' travelled out from the Sun and interacted with Earth's atmosphere caused aurora - or Northern Lights - across parts of the UK and northern US.
Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida in February 2010.
The exceptionally heavy plasma eruption caused extreme ultraviolet radiation
It is on a five year mission which is expected to cost £550million. The spacecraft, orbiting 22,000 miles above Earth, is 7.2ft by 14.8ft. The solar panels are 21ft across and produce 1450W of power.
Instruments on board have additional shielding because this is in the outer reaches of the Earth's radiation belt where levels can be quite high.
The spacecraft carries three instruments that take ultra-high resolution images of the Sun every minute. It is also able to study solar pressure waves generated on its surface. ( dailymail.co.uk )
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