For a 30 час spell (Feb 7-8, 2012) the Solar Dynamics обсерватория captured plasma caught in a magnetic dance across the Sun's surface. The results closely resemble extreme tornadic activity on Earth.
There have been only a handful of X-flares since the beginning of new Solar Cycle 24. So far, all in 2011: Feb. 15 (X2), March 9 (X1), Aug. 9 (X7), Sept. 6 (X2), Sept. 7 (X2). Before these the last X-flare was on Dec.14, 2006, during Solar Cycle 23.
Ripples in the fabric of space-time from monumental collisions between black holes, and how scientists are trying to measure them with lasers and mirrors. From LIGO and the National Science Foundation.