A METEOR OUTBURST MIGHT HAPPEN TONIGHT: Yes, debris from Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 might actually be approaching Earth. A camera operated by the Spanish Meteor and Fireball Network caught a piece of the broken comet disintegrating over Europe on May 27th. The fireball they saw could herald a larger cloud of debris following close behind. If it exists, the approaching cloud could cause a meteor outburst over North America on the night of May 30-31. That's tonight! Probably nothing will happen, but for enthusiasts it's worth a look. [full story] [sky map] [observing tips]
SOUTHERN LIGHTS: A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) hit Earth's magnetic field on May 27th. The impact sparked 12 hours of geomagnetic storming (G1-class) and a rare display of Southern Lights. Minoru Yoneto sends this deep-sky exposure from Queenstown, New Zealand:
"Here in the South Island of New Zealand, where the leaves have fallen and the ski slopes will open next month, the temperature outside was already below 3 degrees Celsius when I left home," says Yoneta. "I took all the precautions I could to keep warm!"
CIRs are transition zones between fast- and slow-moving streams of solar wind; they contain shock waves and enhanced magnetic fields that can spark bright auroras. This one certainly did. The display was also seen in the northern hemisphere as far south as Michigan and Wisconsin. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
more images: from Marybeth Kiczenski of Mackinaw City, Michigan; from Brian Larmay of Pembine Wisconsin; from Rodrigo Roesch of Kewaunee, Wisconsin; from Tim Wieland of Charlevoix, Michigan; from Shayne Smith of Manistique, Michigan;
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BLACK-EYED SUSAN CORONAGRAPH: A coronagraph is a device that blocks the sun, producing a total eclipse. On May 26th, Richard Sears of Ballico, California, used a Black-eyed Susan for this purpose:
"I guess you could say I gave the sun a black eye," says Sears.
The ring of light around the flower is a 22-degree sun halo. It was caused by ice crystals in high cirrus clouds. "The halo persisted for more than 8 hours," marvels Sears. "That's a record for around here."
Coronagraphs are real scientific instruments. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) uses one to track CMEs and sundiving comets--objects which are easily overwhelmed by intense sunlight. SOHO coronagraphs are made of lenses, filters, opaque disks, and polarizer wheels. Note to researchers: Rudbeckia hirta works, too.
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"I LOVE YOU FOREVER" MOONSTONE PENDANT: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Consider the "I Love You Forever" Moonstone. This one hitched a ride to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research ballooin on May 13, 2022:
You can have it for $162.95. The moonstone's sterling silver infinity wrap is inscribed with the words "I love you forever." It makes a great anniversary or birthday gift. The moonstone comes with a greeting card showing the pendant in flight, telling the story of its trip to the edge of space and back again.
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