Diameter of the Sun: 1,391,000 km
Distance from Earth: 149.6 million km
(both are means)
So, the idea of a corona discharge, or even a flare, reaching out 100x - 150x the mean diameter of the sun is not outside the realm of 'thinkable'.
It WOULD be a HUGE one - and such events may be 'extinction' type events .... if one REALLY buys into evolution. However, there IS the concept that G_d did NOT create a 'young' earth - but one that already had a lot of 'history' (ie. age) built into it. With His sense of humour, adding 'extinction' events into what He created is certainly not beyond the conceivable. *w*
Neat pic - never even occurred to me that it would still be around - much less pictures available.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good ...