FARSIDE SOLAR ACTIVITY: A sunspot group on the farside of the sun is exploding--a lot. At least three CMEs have flown over the southwestern limb this weekend. Here is the brightest so far. The source of this activity is probably sunspot complex AR2898-2900, which rotated off the Earthside of the sun a few days ago. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
M-CLASS SOLAR FLARE: Earlier today (Dec. 5 @ 0719 UT) Earth-orbiting satellites detected an M1-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the extreme ultraviolet flash:
A pulse of radiation from the flare ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, causing a minor shortwave radio blackout over the Indian Ocean: blackout map. Aviators, mariners and ham radio operators might have noticed strange propagation effects at frequencies below ~20 MHz.
This flare was even stronger than it seemed. The blast site was partially eclipsed by the edge of the sun, so only a fraction of the radiation made it to Earth. The instigating farside active region may be capable of X-class explosions. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
ANTARCTIC SOLAR ECLIPSE: A total eclipse of the sun happened yesterday. You had to fly to Antarctica to see it. Petr Horálek sends this picture taken 41,000 feet above the Weddell Sea:
"Despite the pandemic, many people traveled to see this spectacular eclipse," says Horálek. "Some were lucky to set foot on the 'sixth continent,' others traveled via ship cruise, while a third group flew high above the clouds. I was one of those, traveling in one of two separate airplanes inside the Moon's shadow."
Joerg Schoppmeyer was up there, too. "Here is the same view as Petr Horálek's but from the other plane," he says:
"We floated in parallel, watching the narrow shadow and amazingly colored sky during totality," says Horálek. "Bright Mercury and Antares were visible in the cone of darkness around the eclipsed sun. What a spectacular and dramatic view!"
Realtime Solar Eclipse Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
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.
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 "BLACKPEARL" at checkout for a 15% Extended Black Friday discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter