Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Astronomical Halloween: The Jack-o-lantern sun

10:00
31 October 2024

Astronomical Halloween
The Jack-o-lantern sun

Jack o lanterns
We all love carving a pumpkin at Halloween, even the sun is getting involved!

The sun looks to have pulled out its Halloween costume for the season, dressing as a classic jack-o'-lantern!

In actual fact, this picture was taken on October 8th 2014, but is perfect for today. The most active regions of the sun show up brighter and make the sun appear as our favourite carved pumpkin.

The shot was captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory which launched on February 11th 2010, with the mission to study how the sun creates solar activity which drives space weather.

This is no easy task and the SDO is not just a camera looking at the sun. It takes measurements of our solar system’s biggest star from the interior to the atmosphere, the magnetic field, and energy output.

Solar activity such as solar flares can have a huge impact on Earth’s communications systems. Where there is a strong solar storm, it impacts GPS systems, radios, and other ways of communicating on our very own planet.

Make sure the sun, and clouds, are going to behave for Halloween tonight by keeping check on the WeatherRadar through the day.

Check back for our trick-or-treat forecast out later today!

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Japan continues to face torrential rain. After Typhoon Jangmi. . . Friday 5 June 2026
Split image showing a weather radar map with a tropical cyclone and heavy rain bands moving across Japan on the left, and an aerial view of widespread flooding around a coastal town and river estuary on the right.
Friday 5 June 2026

After Typhoon Jangmi

Japan continues to face torrential rain
Summer comeback on the horizon. Hot air from Spain. . . Tuesday 9 June 2026
European weather map showing temperatures and weather symbols. A red arrow points from Spain and southern France towards Central Europe, indicating the influx of very warm air. A sun-and-cloud symbol is shown over Germany, indicating pleasant, partly cloudy weather. Maximum temperatures of over 30 degrees are forecast for Spain and Portugal, whilst in Germany, France and the Alpine regions temperatures are mostly between 22 and 25 degrees. The map illustrates a warm south-westerly flow transporting summer air towards Central Europe.
Tuesday 9 June 2026

Hot air from Spain

Summer comeback on the horizon
Colourful skies and video moments. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 7 June 2026
Split image showing a bright blue sky with scattered white altocumulus clouds above trees on the left, and a rainbow arching over a windy gray sea beneath dark storm clouds on the right.
Sunday 7 June 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Colourful skies and video moments
All weather news
This might also interest you
Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands. Storm and rain. . . Friday 12 December 2025
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
A frozen start to the weekend. Icy conditions. . . Friday 13 February 2026
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList