SOLAR MINIMUM CONDITIONS ARE IN EFFECT: The solar disk has been blank (without sunspots) for 16 straight days. The sun's X-ray output has flatlined and geomagnetic activity is low. For now, Solar Minimum conditions are in effect. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
LUNAR OCCULTATION OF MARS: Last night, Sept. 5-6, the Moon passed directly in front of Mars, producing a lunar occultation visible across most of South America. Patricio Leon photographed the event from Santiago, Chile:
"I caught Mars emerging from behind the Moon's southern hemisphere 25 minutes after being swallowed by the lunar disk," says Leon. "The seeing was bad and the Moon was only 16° high, but it was quite an experience."
Earth is approaching Mars for a close encounter on Oct. 6th. This has made the Red Planet so bright that its disk can be seen even near the edge of the glaring Moon. It will double in brightness again between now and October. Stay tuned for some beautiful views of Mars.
Realtime Mars Photo Gallery
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A PANCAKE SUNSET: Yesterday, nature photographer Mila Zinkova watched the sun set from San Francisco, and it reminded her of breakfast. "The setting sun looked like a stack of pancakes," she says. This image is a still frame from a remarkable video:
When the sun turns into a stack of pancakes, it means one thing: The air is sliced into layers of different temperature, with cold air sandwiched between warm air. The layers act like a wave guide, ducting the sun's rays. Short ducts give three pancake-like mirages. Very long ducts give the rare Novaya Zemlya effect with a whole shimmering stack of narrow stripes.
The fiery color of the pancakes may be attributed to actual fire. "San Franciscos is surrounded by wildfires," says Zinkova, "and the air is extremely hazy." Smoke has turned the setting sun a deep, almost apocalyptic red, adding an eerie wonder to the end of the day.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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CAPT. KIRK BOBBLEHEAD (COLLECTOR'S ITEM): To support their crowdfunded research program, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus have launched James T. Kirk to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray balloon. Note the moon over Kirk's shoulder in this photo taken 36 km (118,100 ft) above Earth's surface:
You can have him for $170.10. The price is the serial number of the Enterprise, NCC1701, divided by 10. The students are selling Kirk to buy more helium! He comes with a greeting card showing the high-quality resin bobblehead in flight and telling the story of his journey to the stratosphere and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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