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Astrophysicists Discover Unprecedented Helium-3 Surge from Sun

4/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers observed an extraordinary surge of helium-3 from a coronal hole in the Sun's atmosphere in late October 2023. This solar jet unleashed helium-3 at a staggering 180,000 times the normal levels, accompanied by lighter elements and minimal iron. These findings, shared in The Astrophysical Journal, hint that rare solar particle events could be more frequent than once believed.

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Story summary

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers observed an extraordinary surge of helium-3 from a coronal hole in the Sun's atmosphere in late October 2023. This solar jet unleashed helium-3 at a staggering 180,000 times the normal levels, accompanied by lighter elements and minimal iron. These findings, shared in The Astrophysical Journal, hint that rare solar particle events could be more frequent than once believed.