Tag: sun
The sun has a shockingly huge spot on it right now
![The sun with a big spot](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03IulfhGbbu3G5vciDtgG0m/hero-image.png)
Don’t look now, but the sun has a big dot on it. Like, literally, don’t look. You could permanently damage your eyes.
At almost five times the diameter of Earth, sunspot AR3190 is an attention-seeking blob on the surface of our star — so big you can currently see it whenever the sun is shining. But don’t give into the temptation to gawk unless you have a pair of eclipse glasses or goggles, preferably ones certified by the International Standards Organization (ISO).
And by the way, it’s a good time to stock up on eclipse glasses because they tend to get expensive in the weeks before a solar eclipse, and there’s one coming on April 8.
So what’s the deal with this huge sunspot?
At the start of the current solar cycle — the sun’s roughly eleven-year pattern of only-somewhat-understood magnetic phenomena — astronomers predicted that the peak year for solar activity such as sunspots would be 2025. It’s only 2023, and we’re experiencing extraordinary levels of solar activity, including impressive eruptions of plasma, and quite a few big spots — though none of the others are nearly as large as AR3190. Sunspots like this are unusual, but far from unheard of.
Does this sunspot pose any danger?
This sunspot probably poses no actual danger, but it does have a decent chance of, well, exploding.
When a sunspot this size explodes, one can expect a release of energy called a solar flare. Astronomers expect that AR3190 would produce an “X-class” flare, the most intense kind. X-class flares send things like radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays out into space at the speed of light. When Earth gets hit by a strong flare, the results can be good things like beautiful auroras at northern and southern latitudes, but also radio blackouts, satellite damage, and power grid disruption.
A sunspot explosion can also be accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is a relatively slower ejection of particles from the sun’s “corona” — its atmosphere, basically. CMEs also cause beautiful auroras and also have the capability to disrupt communications and knock out power.
But it’s anyone’s guess if any of this will happen before AR3190 rotates out of view — which will also reduce the potential for the ensuing activities to cause problems on Earth.
There’s still time to snap up one of our super Sun Hols From £9.50
IF you want to get away this year, you should snap up one of our super Sun Hols From £9.50.
There’s still time to start collecting and join the millions who have booked breaks with us over the past 30 years.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/reader-images-leo-sophie-hari-784132119.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Sophie and Rakesh Parekh and children at Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset[/caption]
Take your pick from more than 170 holiday parks across the UK and Europe.
There is availability up until November.
We have made booking simple by removing extra charges, such as service charges and peak date supplements, which means that the price you see is the price you pay.
Pick from three-night weekend breaks or four nights for the price of three midweek.
To book, collect TEN codewords, tokens or Sun Savers codes.
We will print one of each daily until January 31.
Book online by collecting TEN codewords and entering them at thesun.co.uk/holidays.
Or book via post by collecting TEN tokens and sending them back with the booking form which you can download at thesun.co.uk/holidays.
Sun Savers members can either book through the Sun Savers app or online at sunsavers.co.uk.
Go to Offers and click “Start Collecting” on the Holidays From £9.50 page, then enter TEN Sun Savers codes to unlock booking.
Get booking as soon as you have all ten codewords, tokens or Sun Savers codes.
- Terms & Conditions: Price per person based on 4 sharing. Multiple token/code collect. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions and date restrictions apply. For full T&Cs see thesun.co.uk/holidays.
‘UNBEATABLE VALUE, MAGIC ADVENTURE’
NURSE Julie Marsh swapped saving lives for saving money with Sun Holidays.
And despite the cost-of-living crisis, she was able to have a fantastic family getaway that lacked for nothing.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sun-9-50-holiday-cayton-783967164.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Julie, Joseph and Andrew having a splashing time[/caption]
She says: “The breaks are unbeatable value for money at a time when every penny counts.”
Julie, 33, and husband Andrew, 36, a local authority housing development officer, took their three-year-old son Joseph to Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay Holiday Park on the beautiful North Yorkshire coast for their first Sun getaway.
The couple from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, agree the hassle-free trip was perfect for family fun as they were able to load the car with all of Joseph’s favourite toys.
And most important, they could also take his beloved bike, which he spent hours riding as he enjoyed the freedom of the park.
They were able to save some cash too.
Julie says: “We also stocked up with food and so we were able to do a lot of cooking in the caravan.”
This meant they could still treat themselves by eating out at the resort as well.
Julie adds: “Joseph found it a magical adventure and once he was in the swimming pool with us he just didn’t want to get out.
“The park was also our base for visiting local tourist attractions. That’s another great bonus of choosing a Sun Holiday – you can explore lots of different locations around the country.
“We took time out to visit nearby Filey, Scarborough and Whitby. But if you want to stay on the park, there is plenty going on for all the family so you can stay put if you want. The choice is yours.”
Andrew says: “Cayton Bay was a brilliant pick. It’s a beautiful park in a great part of the UK. Joseph loved every minute of the holiday and we can’t wait to start planning our Sun Holidays for 2023.”
‘WE WERE LIKE TWO KIDS ON THE RIDES’
FUN-loving Kelly Johnston and partner Kayleigh Dalziel got down with the kids on their latest Sun holiday.
Kelly, 46, and Kayleigh, 32, joined hundreds of school-children whooping it up on rides in the amusement park of Duinrell Holiday Park at Wassenaar, southern Holland.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/front-left-kayleigh-dalziel-31-786318824.jpg?strip=all&w=850)
Kelly, front left, and Kayleigh, front right[/caption]
“We were like two kids,” says Kelly, who is such a fan of the Duinrell park she has been SIX TIMES in recent years.
She adds: “It’s so beautiful, and the staff are so friendly.”
Her latest visit was as good as ever, too.
She says: “It was so relaxing – even when we were hurtling round in the air on the rides, or getting soaking wet on the water-splash ride.”
Trucker Kelly and Kayleigh, who is training to do the same job, drove from Newcastle then took a Hull-Rotterdam ferry before driving to the park – with a sightseeing stop in Leiden.
Kelly says: “There are lovely beaches in Holland, which not everyone knows. You are also spoilt for choice about what and where to eat.”
Kelly’s first Sun holiday was in Filey, North Yorks, but she now loves going abroad.
She says of Sun hols: “You can’t beat the value. All the breaks have lived up to expectations – but that’s what you get from The Sun, which has always been my favourite paper.
“I grew up reading my Mystic Meg horoscope and looking at the Dear Deidre agony aunt page. But best of all is The Sun’s coverage of football and my beloved Newcastle – who look like the real deal now.”
And Kelly has a tip for those heading to Duinrell.
She says: “Barbecues are a big thing there, so nip out to the local supermarket, choose some meats and cook it all up. It is so relaxing to sit out on your decking and eat.”
Now Kelly and Kayleigh can’t wait for their next sizzling Sun holiday.
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A Place in the Sun star Jonnie Irwin gives heartbreaking Christmas update amid terminal cancer battle
JONNIE Irwin has revealed he’s not telling his children it’s likely to be his last Christmas.
The A Place in the Sun host, 49, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, and has been given just months to live.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/image-995.png?strip=all&w=960)
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/image-994.png?strip=all&w=475)
But Jonnie and wife Jess intend on giving their children – Rex, who turns four on Christmas Day and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac the best day.
Asked if his kids understand how unwell he is, he told the Daily Mail: “Not yet. When I’m more frail or in bed for days we might.
“If you have 20 days left, why spend them in mourning and confusion? Why not just have 15 days of pure, blissful ignorance and five days of knowing the facts?
“I’m not looking forward to the chat with Rex. We’re still thinking about it. I’ve learnt that it’s best to do nothing if you’re unsure.”
The couple have decided not to go too mad on buying toys for the children and instead they want to make memories with them – with trips to Legoland and Peppa Pig World.
Jonnie fears his children, particularly the twins, won’t remember him when he is gone.
Since his diagnosis, the cancer has spread his and his liver and he says: “’I’ve been told I’ve got months to live. We’re hurtling towards where we don’t want to be.
“I’ve had a big dose of reality. I’m not going to beat this. People say, ‘Don’t worry. You will.’ Well I probably won’t, mate.”
The star has been busy working hard to ensure Jess and the kids are provided for when he is gone and mortgage free.
Jonnie discovered he had cancer – which has spread to his brain – a week after filming A Place in the Sun in Italy in August 2020.
One of the show’s longest-running presenters, he joined alongside Jasmine Harman in 2004 and had been filming as recently as April this year.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/image-996.png?strip=all&w=960)
A Place in The Sun host Jonnie Irwin – who has terminal cancer – will celebrate his ‘last Christmas’
Sara Sampaio wows in sexy brown bikini as she soaks up the sun in Zanzibar
IT’S kneely Christmas but model Sara Sampaio is still sending temperatures soaring.
The Portuguese model cracked open a beer while posing in this brown swimwear from the Italian brand Bikini Lovers.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/sara-sampaio-cools-off-swimming-783189746.jpg?strip=all&w=647)
Model Sara Sampaio looked stunning as she soaked up the sun in a brown bikini[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/sarasampaiojust-i-m-denial-i-385176929.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Sara, 31, soaked up the sun in Zanzibar, Tanzania, ahead of the big day and shared photos of herself in the skimpy costume with the caption: “Let me know when you’re tired of these!”
She also revealed you won’t be able to spot a mole on her waist in any further photoshoots, as she is getting it removed.
The beauty added: “RIP my love handle mole! Last shoot you’ll see it.”
In April Sara celebrated hitting eight million followers on Instagram.
She told her followers: “8 million of you!!!
“Thank you for coming on this journey with me!”
Sara previously shared a video of herself in different poses with Instagram followers and urged them to be body positive.
Sara said: “Be kind to people and yourself and please stop commenting on people’s changing bodies.”
She showed how a simple pose can hide a tummy paunch or skin rolls.
She added: ‘It is normal, safe and preferable that your body makes bulges and rolls as it moves around to allow you the best range of motion that you can have.”
Sampaio became the first model from her country to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/d9045c39-cb92-4d7c-8487-3753f7b0a303.jpg?strip=all&w=639)
‘I’m horrified to have caused so much hurt’: Jeremy Clarkson responds as The Sun removes Meghan article following backlash
Sun King, a provider of solar energy products in Africa and Asia, expands Series D to $330M
Sun King, a provider of off-grid solar energy products in Africa and Asia, has secured a $70 million equity investment led by LeapFrog Investments. It’s an extension of the $260 million Series D round the solar company announced this April, which was led by BeyondNetZero, the climate investing venture of General Atlantic and M&G Investments’ […]
Sun King, a provider of solar energy products in Africa and Asia, expands Series D to $330M by Tage Kene-Okafor originally published on TechCrunch