It was ALMOST an X Class.

M7.7 Strong Solar Flare
Departing Region 1520 now located on the western limb is going out with a bang. A Strong Solar Flare measuring M7.7 peaked at 05:58 UTC Thursday morning. Type II and Type IV Sweep Frequency Events resulted and a 10cm Radio Burst (TenFlare) lasting 44 minutes was recorded. Another Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was produced, but because of the Sunspots location, the plasma cloud should be directed away from Earth. The explosion was also picked up by the STEREO Ahead Spacecraft. Image is below showing the blast site. 
 

Click HERE to see an image of the flare as captured by SDO/AIA in different wavelengths.

SUMMARY: 10cm Radio Burst
Begin Time: 2012 Jul 19 0517 UTC
Maximum Time: 2012 Jul 19 0521 UTC
End Time: 2012 Jul 19 0601 UTC
Duration: 44 minutes
Peak Flux: 1100 sfu
Description: A 10cm radio burst indicates that the electromagnetic burst associated with a solar flare at the 10cm wavelength was double or greater than the initial 10cm radio background. This can be indicative of significant radio noise in association with a solar flare. This noise is generally short-lived but can cause interference for sensitive receivers including radar, GPS, and satellite communications.
ALERT: Type IV Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2012 Jul 19 0525 UTC
Description: Type IV emissions occur in association with major eruptions on the sun and are typically associated with strong coronal mass ejections and solar radiation storms.
ALERT: Type II Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2012 Jul 19 0524 UTC
Estimated Velocity: 1110 km/s
Description: Type II emissions occur in association with eruptions on the sun and typically indicate a coronal mass ejection is associated with a flare event.

Oracle Report - Thursday, July 19, 2012
http://oraclereport.com/

New Moon Phase - Moon in Leo
Today a struggle between old structures, beliefs and ways of doing things and new structures, beliefs, and ways of doing things are clashing.  This is due to the fact that an influx of energy to make corrections and modifications is happening with the astrological effects of the "turning point."  We've been making space for this to enter and settle into our lives, but those who are not open to this or don't want things to change are having difficulty.  Or perhaps things are so out of balance that the effects are dramatic.  Our friend sunspot AR 1520 unleashed another strong flare today (M-7, bordering on X-class).  These volleys from the Sun are adding energy to the astrological aspects in the cardinal signs (see Archives over the last week for more information if you are new to this site).  Today is the last day of the turning point so we will still be moving or hinging in another direction.  Mars has moved slightly off direct opposition with Uranus, but we should continue to take special care when driving (and walking - I fell down a flight of stairs yesterday!).  The Moon is approaching Mercury, which would normally allow us to begin to understand how the energy of the turning point has changed us (recalibrated our personal energetic field or "vibe") but since Mercury is retrograde, we are still a little fuzzy on this.  Overall, fluidity and flexibility are called for today.  The picture of the barn swallow reminds us that we can make rapid and precision turns, changes, and adaptations while the energy continues to hinge.  Stay open to the turn.