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SOLAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY:
The most advanced solar observatory ever built launched from
Cape Canaveral last Thursday, Feb. 11th, on five-year mission
to
study the sun. NASA says the Solar Dynamics Observatory
(SDO) is "in good shape" as the post-launch checkout
of spacecraft systems continues. The first IMAX movies of
solar explosions should hit the screens in April. Stay tuned!
AURORAS AND A FIREBALL:
This week, the brightest auroras of the year have been surging
around the Arctic Circle. Never one to waste a photo-op, English
astrophotographer Pete Lawrence boarded a "Northern Lights
flight" on Feb. 15th, and this is what he saw 37,000
ft over the Shetland Islands:
"The display was awesome and completely occupied the
view, illuminating the fuselage and clouds below us in an
eerie
green light," says Lawrence. "At one point,
a brilliant fireball streaked down towards the horizon. If
you're wondering why there are two fireball trails, the main
one was so bright that it left a noticeable reflection in
the plane window. What a night!"
What a night, indeed. It could be just the first of many.
The opening months of 2010 have brought a sharp increase in
solar activity and a concomitant brightening of the aurora
borealis. NOAA forecasters estimate a 25% - 30% chance of
more polar geomagnetic activity in the next 48 hours. A tip
for flyers: Grab that window seat.
UPDATED:
February
Northern Lights Gallery
[previous Februarys: 2009,
2008, 2007,
2006, 2004,
2003, 2002]
DIFFICULT, BUT BEAUTIFUL:
Last night, Venus and Jupiter converged for
a remarkable conjunction; at closest approach, the two bright
planets were only 1/2-degree apart. Just one problem. The
meeting occured deep in the glow of sunset:
The event required crystal-clear skies for easy visibility.
"Here in Arizona, we were able to see Venus and Jupiter
with the naked eye," reports David Harvey from Tucson.
"I shot the moon a few minutes after Jupiter set and
inserted it for scale. It was a beautiful view."
Elsewhere, viewing the conjunction was more of an adventure.
Some photographers conducted car chases to find gaps in clouds,
while others climbed to rooftops for a better angle. Click
on the links below for sunset tales.
more images: from
Doug Zubenel of Lawrence, Kansas; from
Dr. Wayne Wooten of Pensacola, Florida; from
Becky Ramotowski of Tijeras, New Mexico; from
Tavi Greiner of Coastal North Carolina
Solar
Eclipse Photo Gallery
[eclipse alerts]
[solar telescopes]
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