PACIFIC RADIO BROWNOUT: Returning sunspot AR2740 (see below) erupted during the late hours of May 4th, producing a C2-class solar flare at 22:43 UT. Extreme ultraviolet radiation briefly ionized the top of Earth's dayside atmosphere, producing a brownout of shortwave radio signals over the Pacific Ocean. Frequencies affected were mainly below 10 MHz. View the brownout map for more information. Instant Solar Flare Alerts: SMS Text
ACTIVE SUNSPOT RETURNS: Last month, a big sunspot named "AR2738" crossed the face of the sun, crackling with low-level flares and emitting loud shortwave radio bursts. It's back. The sunspot is returning to view following a 2-week trip around the sun's farside. Per tradition, it has been re-numbered AR2740 for its second trip across the solar disk.
Old sunspot AR2738 returns for a second trip around the sun. Credit: Martin Wise of Trenton, Florida. [More]
The sunspot announced its return on May 3rd (2331 UT) with a C1-class solar flare and a CME (coronal mass ejection). Coronagraphs onboard the orbiting Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) tracked the storm cloud as it raced away from the sun:
This CME is not heading for Earth. The sunspot was pointed almost 90 degrees away from our planet at the time of the explosion. Future CMEs might be more geoeffective, however. AR2740 is turning toward Earth for a more direct line of fire in the days ahead
There is reason to believe that more CMEs may be in the offing. In addition to the CME pictured above, AR2740 produced a significant farside CME on April 30th and a lesser east limb CME on May 3rd. This region is relatively active, so stay tuned.
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MOTHER'S DAY IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY: Are you looking for an out-of-this world Mother's Day gift? Consider this: Every time the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launch a cosmic ray balloon, they include something extra in the payload--something mom will love:
Every item in the Earth to Sky Store has flown to the edge of space and comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight. The interior of the card tells the story of the gift's journey from launch to landing. Mom-satisfaction guaranteed!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
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STAR WARS DAY SUN HALO: When the calendar says "May the 4th", there's one thing every photographer needs: A friend in a Darth Vader suit. Göran Strand of Östersund, Sweden, was properly outfitted for this shot:
"Today on this Star Wars day, me and Darth went out to take some photos under a beautiful solar halo," says Strand. "May the 4th be with you!"
The ring of light surrounding Vader's head is a 22-degree sun halo caused by sunlight shining through ice crystals in high cirrus clouds. They can appear on any day, not just Star Wars Day. Monitor our Realtime Photo Gallery for sightings.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery