CHANCE OF FLARES TODAY: Big sunspot AR3014 has an unstable 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field that harbors energy for strong explosions. Today there is a 40% chance of M-class flares and a 5% chance of X-flares, according to NOAA. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
SETTING SUNSPOTS: Solar Cycle 25 is changing the way days end. The setting sun is now spotted. Valerie Liard took this picture yesterday evening from Epernay, France:
"Sunspot AR3014 was visible on the solar disk," says Liard. "A plane flew by just as I was taking the picture; the sunspot was much larger."
Indeed, AR3014 is one of the largest sunspots in years. Stretching more than 125,000 km from end to end, its length is almost 1/3rd of the distance from Earth to the Moon. AR3014 is so big it is technically a "naked eye" sunspot. In other words, you can see it without magnification. If you have a pair of eclipse glasses, put them on and take a look.
Warning: Never stare at the unfiltered sun. Liard's picture was taken when the sun was dimmed by low-hanging clouds and haze. Even then, magnified sunlight can damage your eyes. Always use safe solar filters.
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A REVERSE SPLASH ON THE SUN: Sometimes movies are more fun to watch in reverse. Here's an example from May 20th. See how a dark mass of plasma falls on to the surface of the sun and makes a fiery splash:
You just watched a movie of a solar flare in reverse. Here's what really happened. An emerging sunspot near AR3014 exploded, hurling a dark mass of plasma into space. The debris is not expected to hit Earth. See the original movie from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.
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STERLING SILVER HUMMINGBIRD: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Consider the Sterling Silver Hummingbird. This one hitched a ride to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon on May 13, 2022:
You can have it for $159.95. At the apex of the flight, the hummingbird floated 112,336 feet above the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains while sensors in the payload measured cosmic rays. It makes a great anniversary or birthday gift.
The hummingbird comes with a greeting card showing the pendant in flight, telling the story of its trip to the edge of space and back again. Bonus: The pendant contains a tiny chamber, which you may fill with the ashes of a loved one or anything else you wish to keep close to your heart.
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