UNEXPECTED GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A minor G1-class geomagnetic erupted during the midday (UT) hours of April 27th--the result of an unexpected crack in Earth's magnetic field. BsubZ values dipped as low as -10 nT. So far, no auroras have been reported, probably because the event coincided with daylight over Europe and much of North America. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
VENUS-JUPITER CONJUNCTION: Set your alarm for dawn. Venus and Jupiter are converging for a tight conjunction in the early morning sky. Earlier today, Paolo Bardelli photographed the planets from Sumirago (Varese), Italy:
"After days of rain, finally a clear morning for an unmissable show!" says Bardelli.
At closest approach on April 30th, Venus and Jupiter will be just a fraction of a degree apart. 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."
more images: from Eliot Herman of Tucson, Arizona; from Dr. Sebastian Voltmer of La Palma, the Canary Islands; from Brian Doty of Fredericksburg, Virginia; from David J Kriegler of Gulf Shores, Alabama; from Gordon Garcia of Bartlett, Illinois; from Andrea Aletti of Campo dei Fiori Mount, Italy
Sky maps: April 27, 28, 29, 30, May 1.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
A MASSIVE TWISTER ON THE SUN: Imagine a red-hot tornado of fire 10 times taller than our entire planet. Here it is:
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory caught the massive twister flinging itself away from the sun during the early (UTC) hours of April 27th. The eruption produced a bright coronal mass ejection (CME), but the debris is expected to miss Earth. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
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
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter