REVERSED-POLARITY SUNSPOTS: Solar Cycle 25 really is coming. On Christmas Eve, two reversed-polarity sunspots appeared on the sun. These "backwards sunspots" belong to the next solar cycle, Solar Cycle 25. Their appearance does not immediately end Solar Minimum, but they do herald the approach of a new Solar Maximum years from now: Full story.
'RING OF FIRE' SOLAR ECLIPSE: This morning when the sun came up over Qatar in the Middle East, something was missing: a big piece of the sun. The New Moon was blocking most of the solar disk. Eclipse-chaser Elias Chasiotis photographed the strange sunrise from the Persian gulf port city of Al Wakrah:
"Despite being almost totally clouded, the rising crescent sun was unforgettable," says Chasiotis. "Inferior mirage effects made it appear even more unusual."
Today's eclipse was widely visible from the Indian-Asian side of Earth. It was unusual because it was annular, not total. The Moon on Dec. 26th was just a little too small to cover the entire solar disk. At maximum, only 97% of the sun's surface was eclipsed, leaving a bright annulus visible around the edge of the Moon--a.k.a., the "ring of fire."
Pandian Balamurugan saw the glowing ring above Singapore:
"The clouds came in at just the right time for this eclipse," says Balamurugan. "Otherwise it would have been too bright to see the details."
Photos are pouring in from the eclipse zone. Check them out.
Realtime Solar Eclipse Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: So far in 2019, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus have launched 41 space weather balloons to the stratosphere, measuring cosmic rays over 2 continents and 6 different US states. You can help them pay their helium bill by purchasing a Christmas gift from the edge of space:
Every item in the Earth to Sky Store has flown to the stratosphere alongside an array of cosmic ray sensors. Carried aloft by giant helium balloons, these unique gifts travel above 99.7% of Earth's atmosphere, experiencing space-like blasts of cosmic rays, extreme cold, and a wild ride parachuting back to Earth after the balloon explodes. Even Amazon doesn't carry items this far out.
Don't forget to enter coupon code "XMASRAYS" at checkout for a 10% holiday discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter