SOLAR CYCLE 25 IS SLOWLY COMING TO LIFE: There's a sunspot (AR2750) on the sun today. That doesn't happen often during a deep Solar Minimum like the one we're experiencing now. AR2750 is a sign that Solar Minimum won't last forever. Its magnetic polarity marks it as a member of the next solar cycle. Indeed, Solar Cycle 25 is slowly coming to life, heralding a new Solar Maximum as early as 2023. [full story]

A TRIPLE CONJUNCTION IN THE SUNSET SKY: On Oct. 31st, the crescent Moon passed by Jupiter, creating a beautiful Halloween conjunction in the evening sky over Europe.  Most people noticed only the Moon and Jupiter. Peter Rosén of Stockholm, Sweden, noticed a third member of the conjunction: Ganymede.

"Ganymede is visible to the left of Jupiter," says Rosén. "Coincidentally the 3 other Galilean satellites were in an extremely rare triple transit in front of Jupiter's disc. Otherwise they would have been visible, too."

Ganymede is a worthy addition to any conjunction. The giant moon of Jupiter is actually larger than the planet Mercury, and would dwarf our own Moon if the two were placed side by side. Did you miss the show? The Moon and Jupiter (and Ganymede) will meet up again on Nov. 28th. Mark your calendar! [sky map]

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THE ANTARES PENDANT: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Consider the Antares Pendant. On Aug. 19, 2019, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a cosmic ray balloon to the edge of space, 104,002 ft high. This ruby-red crystal necklace went along for the ride:

You can have it for $179.95. The students are selling these white gold-plated pendants to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. The glittering Swarovski crystal has a deep ruby hue inspired by the red-supergiant star Antares in Scorpio. Each one comes with greeting card showing the pendant in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space and back again.

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