A LULL IN THE SOLAR WIND: Earth is passing through a broad gulf between streams of high-speed solar wind. This should keep geomagnetic activity low until the solar wind quickens again, possibly on June 12th or 13th. Until then, any auroras will come as a surprise. Free: Aurora Alerts.
MARS OUTSHINES SIRIUS: It's official. Mars is now brighter than any star in the sky. This week, the Red Planet surpassed Sirius in apparent luminosity. If you wake up before dawn, you can't help noticing Mars burning through the morning twilight with a distinctive orange glow. This recent picture from Alan Dyer of Gleichen, Alberta, shows what to expect:
What's happening? Earth and Mars are converging for a close encounter--the best one in 15 years. On July 27th, Mars will be at opposition. Oppositions of Mars happen roughly every 2 years, but this one is special. It is a "perihelic opposition." Mars will be near perihelion, its closest approach to the sun. Perihelic oppositions also bring Mars extra-close to Earth.
The last time this happened was on Aug. 27, 2003, when Mars famously made its closest approach to Earth in almost 60,000 years. Around the world, people organized "Mars parties" to celebrate the extraordinary size and brightness of the Red Planet. This July will be almost as good with Mars only a few percent farther away than it was during its historic encounter 15 years ago. Between now and then, Mars will triple in brightness, outshining even the giant planet Jupiter. Stay tuned for that!
FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL: What do you get for the Dad who has everything? He probably doesn't have this: A 3D Moon globe laser-etched inside a crystal cube. And, oh yes, it has been to the edge of space:
The students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew a payload-full of these unique cubes to the stratosphere on June 3rd. You can have one for $149.95. They're selling them as a fund-raiser for their cosmic ray ballooning program.
Each Moon-cube comes with a unique gift card showing the item floating at the top of Earth's atmosphere. The interior of the card tells the story of the flight and confirms that this gift has been to the edge of space and back again. Dad-satisfaction guaranteed.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All proceeds support hands-on STEM education
IT'S A SMALL WORLD: You never know where you will find a member of Earth to Sky Calculus. Consider the case of Aaron Lamb, a founding member of the club. As a college student at Cal Maritime Academy, Aaron launched the first space weather balloon from the deck of a moving boat. Later, he recovered another balloon from San Francisco Bay where it landed safely using a floating payload of his own design.
Aaron is now taking a sabbatical from ballooning while he steams around the world on a tramp ship delivering government cargo. But he can't escape. A few days ago on the docks of Tacoma, Washington, longtime Spaceweather.com reader Bob Clauhs recognized Aaron Lamb as a member of Earth to Sky Calculus. They recorded the moment with a selfie:
Bob graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy and he is now a port captain and vessel planner for Stevens Towing. Bob is a lifelong lover of cosmic phenomena. As a cadet, he would use the light filters on his sextant to safely search for sunspots.
Aaron is now en route to Tunisia via the Panama Canal. Perhaps Bob will approve another maritime space weather balloon launch :) Readers, have you seen a member of Earth to Sky Calculus? Write in with a picture and help us find the rest of the ballooning group we all love!