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
Cooler views after the week's heat. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 31 May 2026
Split image showing a tranquil reservoir at sunset with rolling hills on the left, and a dramatic cloud illuminated by crepuscular sun rays above a tree-lined horizon on the right.
Sunday 31 May 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Cooler views after the week's heat
Slow start to summer across Europe. A spell of cooler weather. . . Monday 1 June 2026
Temperature radar for Europe. A low-pressure system and a blue arrow are shown
Monday 1 June 2026

A spell of cooler weather

Slow start to summer across Europe
Jet stream brings a change. Open for Atlantic lows. . . Tuesday 2 June 2026
Map of Europe showing the jet stream highlighted in colour. The band of strong winds stretches from the Atlantic across France and Germany to Northern Europe.
Tuesday 2 June 2026

Open for Atlantic lows

Jet stream brings a change
All weather news
This might also interest you
Wishes from Weather & Radar. Merry Christmas!. . . Thursday 25 December 2025
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
Mixed conditions on an unsettled week. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 2 November 2025
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
Storm Chandra makes impact. Severe gales & heavy rain. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
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