A DENSE STREAM OF SOLAR WIND: Unexpectedly, Earth is entering a slow-moving but dense stream of solar wind on Nov. 15th. Relatively strong magnetic fields in the stream are opening a crack in Earth's magnetosphere, setting the stage for possible Arctic auroras. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
THE SOUTH POLE OF MARS: "Yes, this is a real picture of the planet Mars," says Peter Rosén of Stockholm, Sweden. But it didn't come from a spacecraft. Rosén created this view of the Martian south pole using images taken by amateur astronomers on Earth:
"I downloaded the best images of Mars from last year's opposition from ALPO Japan and spent 4 days stitching them together into a polar stereographic projection," he explains. "I have mapped the pole so that it shows significantly more than just down to the equator because I think it enhances the visual experience."
"The pictures were taken by some of the world's best amateur planetary photographers, but some have used professional telescopes such as the 1m telescope at Pic-du-Midi or the 1m Chilescope," he continues. "The images with the best resolution were taken on Oct. 24, 2020, at the observatory at Calern in the south of France, which consists of two 1-meter telescopes with newly polished mirrors. According to the photographers, they reached a resolution of 0.14 seconds of arc. These are probably the sharpest images ever taken of Mars from Earth and even reveal details in the polar ice cap."
Rosén used the same images to create an equatorial view: Take it for a spin.
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THE BRIGHTEST COMET OF 2021: Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1) is approaching Earth for a close (35 million km) encounter on Dec. 12th. Last night, en route, it passed by spiral galaxy NGC 4395. Michael Jaeger of Martinsberg, Austria, caught the two in the same frame:
Comet Leonard is currently shining like a 9th magnitude star in the northern constellation Canes Venatici (the Hunting Dogs). In the weeks ahead, its brightness will increase sharply, perhaps more than 100 fold. Most forecasters agree that next month Comet Leonard will reach magnitude +4, an easy target for small telescopes and visible to the naked eye from dark-sky sites. If current trends hold, Leonard will soon become the brightest comet of 2021.
Resources: light curve, current coordinates; observing tips; photo gallery.
THE NOCTILUCENT WOLF PENDANT: The strongest geomagnetic storm of Solar Cycle 25 was underway on Nov. 4th when the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a cosmic ray research balloon. This noctilucent wolf pendant went along for the ride:
You can have it for $99.95. The students are selling these pendants to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. It's "noctilucent" because it glows in the dark following exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. Each pendant comes with a greeting card showing the necklace in flight and telling the story of its journey 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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