THE SUN IS SO BLANK, IT LOOKS LIKE A BILLIARD BALL: The sun has just crossed 34 days without a sunspot, marking the longest stretch of blank suns in the current solar cycle. This development is consistent with recent predictions that the solar cycle will reach a minimum in 2019-2020, ultimately bouncing back for a new Solar Max in the years ahead. How do sunspots--or the lack thereof--affect us on Earth? Get your answers here.
EXTREME OUTBREAK OF NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: The most remarkable season for noctilucent clouds in decades continued last night with a widespread display over Europe. "At least 80% to 90% of our sky was covered by bright electric-blue waves," reports Jacob Kuiper of Steenwijk, The Netherlands. "It was unbelievable, so bright and vast. For sure, this was the most extreme display I have seen in 35 years of observing NLCs."
During the outburst, Spaceweather.com received pictures from almost every country in Europe as far south as Italy. The clouds were even visible in downtown Paris:
"I've been waiting 10 years to see these clouds in Paris," says photographer Sylvain Weiller. "Finally, the NLCs are back!"
NLCs are Earth's highest clouds. Seeded by meteoroids, they float at the edge of space more than 80 km above the planet's surface. The clouds are very cold and filled with tiny ice crystals. When sunbeams hit those crystals, they glow electric-blue.
This close-up photo taken by Sebastian Voltmer of Spicheren, France, shows the clouds' tell-tale wave structure:
This summer, extra moisture in the mesosphere has super-charged noctilucent clouds, allowing them to be sighted as far south as Rome, Italy; Los Angeles, California; and Paris, France. No one can predict exactly when they will appear. Tonight could be the night where you live.
Observing tips: Look west 30 to 60 minutes after sunset (or before sunrise) when the sun is just below the horizon. If you see luminous blue-white tendrils spreading across the sky, you may have spotted a noctilucent cloud.
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APOLLO 11 PROOF SILVER DOLLAR: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, the United States Mint has created a commemorative 2019 Proof Silver Dollar. We decided to celebrate even more by flying the coins to the edge of space. On June 13th, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched this 99.9% silver dollar 99,022 feet above Earth's surface:
You can have it for $179.95. The students are selling the coins to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. The silver dollar is curved and reproduces the helmet of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Reflected in Buzz's visor are Neil Armstrong, the United States flag, and the lunar lander. The opposite side of the coin shows Neil's first footprint on the Moon. Each of these coins comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight and a certificate of authenticity.
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