THE NEXT SOLAR WIND STREAM: Earth is exiting one solar wind stream. Another is on the way. Flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere, the gaseous material is due to arrive on Nov 21-22. NOAA forecasters say that a corotating interaction region (CIR) traveling just ahead of the stream could spark geomagnetic activity and Arctic auroras on Nov. 20th. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
LUNAR ECLIPSE--TONIGHT! It's happening tonight--the longest partial lunar eclipse in more than 600 years. The action begins Nov. 18th at 11:19 pm Pacific Time when the Moon touches Earth's deep-red umbral shadow. For the next 3 1/2 hours, the full Moon be eclipsed with a peak coverage of 97%:
More time zones: EST, CST, MST, PST, HST. Credit: ShadowandSubstance.com
Observers in North America and Pacific islands will have the best view. Click here for a global coverage map.
What makes this eclipse so long? The Moon is near apogee, the farthest point in its orbit around Earth. Because the Moon moves slowly at apogee, it takes longer to cross Earth's shadow. According to Sky & Telescope, this will be the longest partial lunar eclipse since Feb. 18, 1440 — and we won't get a longer one until Feb. 8, 2669.
At the moment of maximum coverage, a whisper-thin 0.8 arcminute slice of the Moon will extend beyond the edge of Earth's umbral shadow. Photographs taken at that moment may have a "diamond ring" quality, with a sliver of full-Moon brightness shining from only one side of the shadowed disk.
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GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: Christmas is coming. 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.
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.
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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