SOLAR WIND, INCOMING: A minor stream of solar wind is expected to buffet Earth's magnetic field on May 19th and 20th. The gaseous material is flowing from a small hole in the sun's atmosphere. Geomagnetic unrest could spark polar auroras, but full-fledged geomagnetic storms are unlikely. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
SOMETHING TO SEE AT SUNSET... Mercury is rising. This week, the innermost planet will jump out of the glare of the sun and become visible in the western sky at sunset. Helio de Carvalho Vital photographed it on May 17th from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
"These photos show Mercury returning to evening twilight," says Vital. "The elusive planet was only 3.9° above the horizon and 14.8° from the sun."
The view will improve each night this week as Mercury climbs higher in the sky. Mark these dates on your calendar: May 21st and May 22nd. On those nights Mercury and Venus will be in conjunction, about 1 degree apart. That's a little less than the width of a fingertip held at arm's length. Sky maps: May 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.
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...AND SOMETHING TO SEE AT SUNRISE: Comet SWAN (C/2020 F8) is about to have a close encounter with the sun--just inside the orbit of Mercury on May 27th. Yesterday, Fins Eirexas photographed it in morning twilight from Santiago de Compostela, Spain:
"It was very low in the northeastern sky at the beginning of dawn," says Eirexas. "This picture is a 7x30s exposure at ISO 1600 using my Nikon D600 camera."
Although Comet SWAN is technically a naked-eye object, it's really not. Twilight glare overwhelms the magnitude +5.5 comet, so you'll need to use optics to see it. A minutes-long exposure with a good digital camera should do the trick. The situation will improve after May 27th when the comet begins to move away from the sun.
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THE SPACE HAMMER: Are you looking for a far-out Father's Day gift? Consider the Space Hammer. On May 2nd, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew a payload of hammers to the edge of space, 35.0 km (115,000 feet) above Earth's surface onboard a high altitude helium balloon. You can have one for $97.95:
These compact 8 oz. hammers are light enough to fly on a balloon yet dense enough to deliver a powerful blow. The magnetic head holds a nail for one-handed starting, and the stubby 6 in. length is perfect for tight work areas.
Each space hammer comes with a unique gift card showing the tool floating at the top of Earth's atmosphere. The interior of the card tells the story of the flight and confirms that this gift has been to the edge of space and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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