SPRITE SEASON HAS BEGUN: Sprite season has begun--with a bang. A series of unusually severe spring storms parading across the southeastern USA has residents taking shelter from golf-ball sized hail and dangerous tornadoes. High above the maelstrom, sprites are dancing. FULL STORY.
AN "ALIEN INVASION" OVER EUROPE? NO, IT'S STARLINK: SpaceX's latest batch of Starlink satellites flew over Europe last night. "I have been looking at the sky for 40 years, I have seen many things, but never like this passage of the Starlink satellites!" reports Paolo Bardelli who watched the 60 "extremely bright" points of light glide over Sumirago (Varese), Italy. "Surely many people observing the sky will have thought of an alien invasion!"
Theirry Legault filmed the satellites gliding over Paris at twilight:
"This was a very favorable passage," says Legault. "I could see them in twilight alongside Venus, the Big Dipper and Arcturus."
SpaceX launched the satellites from Cape Canaveral on April 22nd. All 60 were in a single rocket, then deployed individually in orbit. This brings the total number of Starlinks in space to 420. SpaceX hopes to grow the number even more, potentially exceeding 12,000, in an effort to provide commercial space-based internet access to all parts of the world.
While the goal of widely available internet is good, the Starlink project has become controversial because of its interference with astronomy. It is becoming increasingly difficult for astrophotographers to make long exposures of faint objects without an unexpected intrusion from Starlink. And the IAU has warned that the project could seriously impact professional research.
Regardless, last night's display over Europe had an undeniable beauty. Browse the Starlink photo gallery for more sightings.
Realtime Starlink Photo Gallery
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GET READY FOR MOTHER'S DAY: 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
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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