DOUBLE SOLAR FLARE (UPDATED): Sunspot AR2993 erupted twice in quick succession on April 25th, producing an overlapping pair of M1-class solar flares: movie. The double-blast caused a minor albeit long-lasting radio blackout over southeast Asia and Australia, affecting frequencies below 20 MHz. New images from SOHO confirm that there is no CME heading for Earth as a result of these flares. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
MORNING PLANETS: This is a great week to wake up early and look at the planets. They're all lined up. Daniel Mello sends this pictue from his garden in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
"This is a simple 5 second exposure with my Canon EOS 500D camera (ISO 800)," says Mello. "It was a beauty planetary sequence just before sunrise. The sky colors topped it off!"
The display is about to get even better. Venus and Jupiter are converging for a tight conjunction on Saturday morning, April 30th. They will "appear to nearly collide into each other," according to NASA. "Due to the glare from both planets, some observers will see them merge into one very bright, spectacular glow!"
Between now and then, the crescent Moon will glide by Venus and Jupiter, forming a lovely triangle on Tuesday morning, April 26th, and especially Wednesday morning, April 27th. Set your alarm for dawn (60 minutes before local sunrise) and enjoy the show. Sky maps: April 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, May 1.
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CHINESE SPACE STATION: On Saturday morning, April 23rd, China's Tiangong Space Station flew over New York. "I was ready and waiting," says Philip Smith, who captured this video using a 14-inch telescope in his backyard in Manorville:
"I was able to see the station's Tianhe core module, the docked Tianzhou-3 cargo carrier, and the station's robotic arm extended into the sunlight," says Smith.
The robotic arm has some work to do. On May 10th China will launch another cargo carrier, the Tianzhou-4, and the arm will have to grapple it into position when it arrives. The rapidly expanding station is becoming increasingly easy for amateur astronomers to see and photograph. Flyby predictions may be found at Heavens Above. (Tip: Click on Tiangong.)
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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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