GREAT CONJUNCTION OF JUPITER AND SATURN: Jupiter and Saturn are converging for a close encounter the likes of which have not been seen since the Middle Ages. On Dec. 21st, the two planets will be so close together that some people will perceive them as a single brilliant star. Dates of special interest include Dec. 16th and 17th when the crescent Moon joins the show. Sky maps: Dec. 16, 17, 21. More: The Great Conjunction.
EARTH-DIRECTED SOLAR FLARE AND CME (UPDATED): Sunspot AR2790 is more potent than it looks. Yesterday (Dec. 7th @ 1632 UT), the relatively small spot unleashed a C7-class solar flare and hurled a CME toward Earth. Extreme ultraviolet cameras onboard NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the explosion:
A pulse of X-rays from the flare ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, causing a minor shortwave radio blackout over South America (map). Affected frequencies were mainly below 10 MHz. Ironically, the flare itself was a source of strong radio emissions. Ham radio operators may have heard a 'roar' of solar static during the blackout.
UPDATE: The explosion also hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth. Coronagraph images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) show a halo CME leaving the sun a few hours after the flare:
Note: The bright 'stars' to the right of the sun are Mercury (top) and Antares (bottom)
NOAA analysts have modeled the storm cloud; their results confirm that it will likely reach Earth during the second half of Dec. 9th. En route to our planet, the CME will scoop up some slower-moving material from an unrelated solar wind stream. The combined impact could spark geomagnetic storms as strong as category G3, although lesser G1- to G2-class storms are more likely.
This is NOT a major space weather event. But after 3 years of uber-quiet Solar Minimum, it is noteworthy. If a strong geomagnetic storm materializes, auroras could be sighted in northern-tier US states from Maine to Montana to Washington. Stay tuned! Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
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"SO LONG, AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH": This is a great gift for fans of Douglas Adams and the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. On Nov. 28, 2020, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a pod of laser-etched dolphins to the stratosphere. Riding onboard a cosmic ray research balloon, they traveled 34.7 km (113,845 feet) above Earth's surface:
You can have them for $99.95. The students are selling this and other edge of space gifts to support their cosmic ray monitoring program.The crystal sphere comes with a unique gift card showing the dolphins in flight and telling the story of their journey to the edge of space. Also included is a multi-colored LED illuminated stand. This creates a colorful visual effect and allows the orb to be used as a far-out night light.
Don't forget to enter coupon code "BLACKPEARL" at checkout for an extended 15% Black Friday discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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