VENUS-JUPITER CONJUNCTION: Set your alarm for dawn. Venus and Jupiter are converging for a tight conjunction in the morning sky. At closest approach on April 30th they'll be just a fraction of a degree apart. Tomorrow morning the crescent Moon joins the show when it glides by the converging pair. Don't miss it! Sky maps: April 27, 28, 29, 30, May 1.
A NEW SOURCE OF SOLAR ACTIVITY: For the past two weeks, observers have focused their attention on colossal sunspot complex AR2993-94 as it glided across the face of the sun. Now there's a new source of solar activity. The action is happening near the sun's southeastern limb:
C-class explosions in the past 24 hours have hurled at least two CMEs into space. Earth is not yet in the line of fire, but this could change as the active region rotates toward our planet in the days ahead. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
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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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