NO CMEs ARE HEADING FOR EARTH: So far this week, the sun has produced dozens of solar flares. Zero debris is heading our way. Remarkably, all of the explosions have been off target. Active sunspot complex AR2993-94 is still turning toward Earth, however, so the odds of a future hit are increasing. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
ANOTHER M-CLASS SOLAR FLARE: Sunspots AR2993-94 are crackling with M-class solar flares. Here is the latest recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory:
The explosion, which peaked on April 22nd at 1325 UTC, registered M3.4 on the Richter Scale of Solar Flares. A pulse of X-rays and UV radiation briefly ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, causing a minor shortwave radio blackout over the mid-Atlantic Ocean.
There *might* be a CME. Confirmation awaits fresh data from SOHO coronagraphs. Stay tuned. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
NAKED-EYE SUNSPOTS: Yesterday in Poland, a flock of cranes flew across the setting sun. Among them were sunspots. "Active sunspot complex AR2993-94 is so big that it was easily visible to the naked eye," says Marek Nikodem, who photographed the flyby:
It's true. The primary dark cores of AR2993-94 are twice as wide as Earth. Technically, this makes them "naked-eye" objects. Be careful, though. Looking at the sun can damage your eyes. Safe solar filters are strongly recommended.
Earth itself provided the filter for Nikodem's photo. Low-hanging clouds and haze dimmed the sun enough for photography. Just to be on the safe side, though, he pointed his camera using the electronic viewscreen--not the optical viewfinder.
more images: from Carlos Stehli of Lima, Peru; from Thom Peck of Poway, California; from Daisuke Tomiyasu of Shirahama, Wakayama, Japan; from David Kriegler of Gulf Shores, Alabama; from Paolo Bardelli of Sumirago (Varese), Italy; from Mohammad Fadel Talafha of the United Arab Emirates.
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MOTHER'S DAY IS MAY 8TH: Are you looking for an out-of-this world Mother's Day gift? Consider this: Every time the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launch a cosmic ray balloon, they include something extra in the payload--something Mom will love:
Every item in the Earth to Sky Store has flown to the edge of space and comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight. The interior of the card tells the story of the gift's journey from launch to landing. Mom-satisfaction guaranteed!
Mother's Day Special: Use coupon code "SPACEMOM" at checkout for a 10% discount. Offer valid from now until Mother's Day (May 8, 2022) .
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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