NASA Assures Public That Solar Flares Won't Destroy Earth

The largest active region seen on the sun since 2005 has rotated to the center of the sun's face, as seen from Earth—which means any eruptions it produces will be aimed right at us.

If the world ends in 2012, the sun won't be to blame, NASA officials say.

Contrary to what some doomsayers would have you believe, our star isn't capable of blasting out a solar flare powerful enough to burn our planet to a crisp, according to the space agency.