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SUNSPOT WATCH: Two big 'spots, 775 and 776, are crossing the sun today. Each has a twisted magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class solar flares.
In Ocala, Florida, Howard Eskildsen photographed the pair peeking "through the outer bands of clouds cast off by tropical storm Arlene."
Warning: The sun, dimmed by clouds, is so tempting to look at ... but don't. All it takes is one ray of sunshine beaming through a gap in the cloudcover to really hurt your eyes. Try these safe solar observing techniques instead.
BIRD IN SPACE: In 1923, modern art pioneer Constantin Brancusi sculpted the Bird in Space. Last month, the sculpture was sold at auction for 27 million dollars. Two days ago, it appeared on the sun.
Well ... "it looked like the Bird in Space," says John Stetson of Falmouth, Maine, who took this picture on June 9th:
In fact, it's a prominence, a magnetic plume of hot gas about 10 times taller than Earth. The resemblence to Brancusi's sculpture was, of course, coincidental, but the timing was perfect. SOHO has just announced a new art contest for sun watchers: details.
more images: from Didier Favre of Los Angeles, CA; from Cai-Uso Wohler of Winsen/Luhe, Germany;
VENUS RETURNS: The brightest planet in the solar system, Venus, has returned to the evening sky. You can see it any night this month. Step outside at sundown and face west. Venus pops into view long before the sky grows completely dark.
Venus images: from William Lim of Singapore; from Dan Kaufherr of Spicewood, Texas; from Hector Cintron of San Juan, Puerto Rico;