THE SOLAR WIND HAS ARRIVED: Arriving a day earlier than expected, a stream of high-speed solar wind hit Earth's magnetic field on Dec. 22nd. tThe gaseous material is flowing from a northern hole in the sun's atmosphere. Minor (G1-class) geomagnetic storms are possible during the next 24 hours as Earth moves deeper into the stream. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
THE GREAT CONJUNCTION OF JUPITER AND SATURN: The last time this happened, the telescope hadn't been invented yet. Last night, however, optics around the world were trained on Jupiter and Saturn as the two planets converged for an 800-year Great Conjunction:
"Introducing a future astronomer," says Mary Lou Dolan of Saint Charles, Missouri. "Last night, 2 year old Mckynlee Corkery looked through a telescope for the first time to see the Christmas Star conjuction of Jupiter and Saturn with her mother Nik. She was amazed :)"
On Dec. 21, 2020, Jupiter and Saturn passed in the night only 0.1 degrees apart. The two planets came equally close in 1623, but that conjunction was impossible to see from Earth because of glare from the sun. The last time the two worlds were so close together *and* so easy to see was the year 1226.
When Mckynlee looked through the eyepiece, this is approximately what she saw:
"Saturn and Jupiter and their moons were all visible at the same time," says photographer Martin Wise, who took the picture through his 8-inch telescope in Trenton, Florida. "What a view!"
More images are pouring in from around the world. Browse the photo gallery for the latest sightings.
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GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: Christmas is this week. Are you looking for a far-out gift? Check out the Earth to Sky Store. It's filled with unique items that have flown to the edge of space onboard cosmic ray research balloons. From now until Christmas, all gifts are 10% off:
Carried aloft by giant helium balloons, these unique gifts have flown above 99.7% of Earth's atmosphere, experiencing space-like blasts of cosmic rays, extreme cold, and a wild ride parachuting back to Earth after the balloon explodes. Even Amazon doesn't carry items this far out.
All items come with a greeting card showing the gifts in flight, and telling the story of their journey to the edge of space and back again. Don't forget to enter coupon code "SPACESANTA" at checkout for a 10% holiday discount!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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