Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
IT LOOKS LIKE something from a science fiction film – especially given the dramatic soundtrack – but this video of a solar flare was in fact taken by NASA.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which keeps a constant watch on the sun, spotted the flare erupting on Wednesday at around 3pm GMT.
The eruption, which NASA describes as ‘graceful’ on its YouTube description, can be seen in two wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light in the video.
Solar flares are sudden and powerful bursts of radiation at the sun’s surface which appear as giant flashes of light. The flare here is a mid-level flare, according to NASA, which means it is ten times less powerful than the most intense ones.
Still amazing though.
(Video: NASA Goddard/YouTube)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Am sick to death of people buying dogs. Go to a shelter and adopt. I’ve never bought a dog and have always had fabulous family pets for years and years. Ban breeding until the adoption centres are emptied.
@Ali123: Impossible to adopt at a shelter. They all require no other dogs, no kids and so on. No wonder only few people are adopting. It’s near impossible.
@Alex: … And your personal details before you’ve even seen the dog. We used to adopt pre loved dogs but no more, too many covid puppies or “emotional supports” crippled by their owners.
@Alex: Only for certain breeds and you probably shouldn’t be trying to adopt those with young kids..
@Rochelle Hart: not true. I had to try about five shelters which wouldn’t let me adopt any dogs, didn’t matter what breed purely because I lived in the countryside and had no fencing around 100 % of my boundary. Apparently shelters only want people who live in estates
@Alex: smack on
Ireland is one of the MOST UNFRIENDLY countries in the EU for pets !!! On top of it animal rights and animal cruelty is shocking, everywhere and goes unpunished! – I often see kids with puppies as toys ! I have 3 dogs and they are our family !
@Flora Baes: dogs are well … dogs. I don’t get this ‘family’ stuff.
People in the rental market should automatically be allowed pets! Every ad is no smoking, no pets. Then they keep the deposit. That’s just how Ireland runs!
@Chutes: Is it no smoking within the walls of the house/ apartment..
Fair enough..
@Chutes: So #any deposit held must be justified and explained to the Tenancy Board…and the Tenancy Board favours the tenant but tries to reach a fair conclusion…conclusion is the operative word…
It is counterproductive when these rehoming centres charge more than buying from the adverts for sale. The non negotiable donations on top of the removing fees are a joke.
@Sickof thisshit: how much are we talking? It’s a good cause though as it looks after the other dogs and cats right.
@Sickof thisshit: They need the money as they couldn’t operate otherwise, despite all the volunteers who give their time. I would urge anyone to adopt from a shelter rather than buy from a breeder
@Basildon Joe: holy moly Joe, we’re on the same page! Though you’re no more from Basildon than I am from Barking
@Kevin Kerr: fair play kev, have to take care of gods creatures. Left Essex a long time ago
@Basildon Joe: 250 to cover costs ,fair.+ 100 mandatory donations. It’s not encouraging..
@Basildon Joe: nice one Joe
@Basildon Joe: Average €100
@Sickof thisshit: the shelters charge a more than fair cost to cover vaccinations, chipping and spaying. Dogs may also have needed vet attention for illnesses, fleas etc. The only reason “breeders” can charge less is because the mother dog and puppies never get seen by a vet…. and they’ve numerous breeding females getting no break in puppy production. If you can’t afford the 200 – 300 to adopt a dog then don’t buy one anywhere else or you’re supporting puppy farms.
@Sickof thisshit: the shelter where I got mine only asked for a donation there was no set price.
I wish could adopt another dog… I just don’t have the space. My present dog would love a playmate and doggie friend.☹️
Looking at the age and profile of people walking dogs are they a substitute for babies?
On a serious note I live close to two primary schools and the amount of dog poo on the footpaths is disgusting. This is not so noticeable in the summer but come the darker mornings and evenings it is a daily occurrence.
@Vincent Alexander: Nothing as vile as pet owners allowing their pets to foul footh paths which are used by children and all citizens who have a right not to walk in dog squirt..so man up all you dog lovers and scoop the squirt into the nearest bin..Thank you
Vet fees are just too much to pay these days even if the dog is already neutered and vaccinated by the shelter. There is the yearly checkup and random health incidents during which vets invariably find some other condition to add to the fees . Then there’s the cost of flea and worm treatment . It’s just too expensive to keep a pet these days. If they had a system of ensuring that the shelter pay for the health checks etc I’m sure more people would take pets on
@Angela Doe: just get pet insurance and most vet costs are covered
@Angela Doe: so true my own rescue dog who is not well at the moment and vet said xrays circa € 1200. Jesus no wonder the rescue centres are packed
@Margaret Deacon: on our experience we tried that with our cats and when we needed it there were so many caveats such the age of the cats and the type of care they needed so it was a waste of money
Shelters make it incredibly difficult to adopt, the DSPCA make people jump through an insane amount of hoops, rules, checks etc, way over the top
@Ciara: They have to ensure as much as possible that the adopted animals don’t land back in the shelter or in another one.
@socheallaigh: How?
If I “borrowed” my brother’s house for the home check, how does their rules prevent the dig from being returned?
If you’re not prepared to spend time looking after a dog, just get a cat. Feed it well, let it inside a bit (warm itself when it’s cold) ; otherwise, just leave it live it’s own life. Very affectionat animals once you’re friends with them.
@offside again: cats don’t have friends, they have servants!
@offside again: What do you mean ‘let it inside a bit to warm its self when it’s cold’? A cat feels the cold and wet just like a dog. It’s you can have a warm bed for a cat, then don’t have one! My girls are in every night, sleeping on the sofa. They are part of our family!
@Angie O Donnell: If you can’t have a warm bed.
@Angie O Donnell: my cat has a place for himself to sleep in the shed next door where he is safe from the really wild ones that roam around now and again.
@offside again: and without a doubt, he goes roaming himself.
I’ll visit and see if they have anything nice. If it’s meant to be a connection will be made.
@Basildon Joe: Is the one eyed, three legged mongrel called lucky in with a shot or are people only looking at them with curiosity and bewilderment.
@Charles Mc Carthy: Will consider the ropey ones if they don’t piss everywhere
have your say