EXITING THE SOLAR WIND: Earth is exiting a stream of solar wind that sparked bright auroras around the Arctic Circle on March 30th and 31st. Some of the lights even dipped into the USA as far south as Michigan. The next stream of solar wind is due on April 4th. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
VENUS AND THE PLEIADES: Two nights from now, Venus will glide right through the Pleiades star cluster--an amazing conjunction that happens only once every 8 years. Petr Horálek of Ústupky in the Czech Republic photographed their convergence on March 31st:
"Venus and the Pleiades were visible not only in the sky, but also reflected in the calm waters of the Chrudimka river," says Horálek. "What a wonderful and very unique view."
At closest approach on April 3rd, Venus will be inside the star cluster. Viewed through binoculars, it will look as if a supernova (Venus) has gone off among the Seven Sisters. To find the conjunction, all you have to do is step outside after sunset and look west. Enjoy the show! Sky maps: April 1, 2, 3.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
A BLACK PEARL IN THE STRATOSPHERE: It came from Tahiti--and now it's been to the edge of space. On Feb. 27, 2020, this genuine Black Tahitian South Sea Cultured Pearl flew to the stratosphere onboard an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray balloon, soaring more than 100,000 feet above the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California:
You can have it for $229.95. The students are selling these exotic space pearls to fund their cosmic ray monitoring program. Measuring 10 mm in diameter, the pearl has an 18K white gold clasp and is suspended from a matching 925 Sterling Silver chain. Each pearl comes with a greeting card showing the pendant in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter