The Sun recently released an unusually large burst of helium-3 (³He), a rare isotope typically found in very low amounts.

Detected by NASA and ESA’s Solar Orbiter, the event showed a 200,000-fold spike in ³He particles, likely accelerated by a small solar jet from a quiet region of the Sun.

This supports theories that ³He enrichment occurs in less active solar areas, Space.com has reported.

Helium-3 is highly valued for its potential in clean energy, fusion research, and quantum tech—and is more abundant on the Moon, sparking interest in future lunar harvesting.

Written by B.C. Begley