A HOLE IN THE SUN'S ATMOSPHERE: A large hole in the sun's atmosphere is turning toward Earth, spewing a stream of high-speed solar wind toward our planet. This comes as darkness is returning to the Arctic Circle, setting the stage for a possible grand display of Northern Lights on Aug. 20-21 when the solar wind arrives. Free: Aurora Alerts.
A COMET APPROACHES (UPDATED): Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner is approaching Earth for a 0.39 AU flyby on Sept. 10, 2018. Already, astrophotographers are capturing dramatic images of the comet's approach. On Aug. 17th, Michael Jäger of Weißenkirchen, Austria, caught Giacobini-Zinner passing by the Heart and Soul Nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia:
In the weeks ahead, the comet will become an easy target for backyard telescopes as it brightens to 7th magnitude--just below the threshold for naked-eye visibility. Stay tuned for updates as the distance decreases.
Note: "AU" means "astronomical unit." 1 AU is the distance between Earth and the sun. The distance to Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner on Sept. 10th will be 0.39 AU or 58 million km. On the scale of things in the solar system, the comet will be close to Earth, but not scary-close.
Click to view an interactive 3D orbit of Giacobini-Zinner as it passes by Earth. Data courtesy of NASA/JPL.
LASER-ETCHED MOON CUBE: On August 16, 2018, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a cosmic ray balloon to the stratosphere. This unique laser-etched Moon cube went along for the ride, ascending to an altitude of 101,140 feet:
You can have it for $149.95. The students are selling these cubes as a fund-raiser for their cosmic ray ballooning program. It's an authentic representation of the Moon, with all of the craters, mountains and lava plains accurately portrayed.
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.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Realtime Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery