MAGNETIC UNREST EXPECTED: A new stream of solar wind is approaching Earth. It is flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere. The stream's grazing impact on Jan 12th or 13th will likely stir magnetic unrest around Earth's poles, but not full-fledged geomagnetic storms. Arctic auroras are possible this weekend. Aurora Alerts: text, email.
VENUS AND JUPITER IN CONJUNCTION: In case you haven't noticed, the day is beginning with bright lights rising in the east. The sun? No. It's Venus and Jupiter, converging for a beautiful conjunction in the pre-dawn sky. Yesterday, Finazzi Antonio photographed the two planets shining through the rosy glow of sunrise in Colli di San Fermo, Italy:
"I saw them through the trees at dawn," he says. "What a beautiful view!"
In the mornings ahead, Venus and Jupiter will draw closer and closer together, putting on a better show with each successive sunrise. At closest approach on Jan. 22nd, they will be only 2.5 degrees apart--a double beacon in the dawn sky visible even from brightly-lit cities.
This is a special conjunction. Not only are Venus and Jupiter the two brightest planets, but also they are converging while Venus is near its maximum elongation (greatest apparent distance) from the sun. As a result, the gathering is visible almost a full hour before daybreak.
Sky maps: Jan. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
It's also special because it is happening in Ophiuchus--the unofficial 13th constellation of the zodiac. Most people know of only twelve: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius. The sun passes through these constellations, one by one, throughout the year. They're the ancient signs of the zodiac.
Modern astronomers don't divide the sky the same way ancient astronomers did. According to today's star maps, the sun cuts through a 13th constellation, Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer, between Nov. 30th and Dec. 17th--and this is where the conjunction is happening.
Finding Venus and Jupiter is easy. Wake up early, look southeast, and enjoy the show! Sky maps: Jan. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
OUT OF THIS WORLD VALENTINE'S GIFT: Valentine's Day is only 5 weeks away. Need a far-out gift? Consider the Valentine's Space Rose. This one flew 96,000 feet above the snow-capped Sierras of California on Jan. 3rd:
You can have it for $149.95. The rose is laser-etched into a block of optical-quality borosilicate crystal with the words "I Love You" curving around the stem. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling these to support their cosmic ray ballooning program.
Each rose comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space. Also included is a rotating LED stand that fills the bloom with 4 luminous colors.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education