The sunspot spawned what's called a coronal mass ejection, sending tons of radiation and highly energized particles into space.

CNN: Sun lets loose monumental flare

An eruption of hot plasma from the sun, called a coronal mass ejection, which could do damage to electricity grids over an entire continent, might fit the bill.

ECONOMIST: Disasters are about people and planning, not nature��s pomp

This past weekend saw a particularly stunning display following a phenomenon known as a coronal mass ejection, where the sun spews a burst of particles into space that reach Earth one to three days later.

CNN: Northern lights dazzle Northern Hemisphere