RARE MORNING SKY SHOW: For the first time since Dec. 2004, the five naked-eye planets have lined up at dawn in order of their distance from the sun. It's a rare morning sky show. Next week, the Moon will hop from planet to planet, producing a series of early-morning conjunctions. Sky maps: June 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.
THE EVERSHED EFFECT: Solar Cycle 25 is producing a lot of sunspots. This is giving amateur astronomers an opportunity they haven't had in years--the chance to look into the dark cores and see what is going on. On April 24th, a Dutch astronomer nicknamed "Neo" did just that, and "I observed the Evershed Effect," he says.
"Great seeing conditions allowed me to capture 35 avi's from which I created this animation," says Neo. "Attentive viewers can recognize a radial outflow of gas across the sunspot's penumbra--that's the Evershed Effect."
British astronomer John Evershed discovered this phenomenon in 1909 while he was working at the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory in India. The government of India later made a postage stamp to celebrate it. More than 100 years later researchers still aren't certain what causes the Evershed Effect. A leading theory holds that material is being siphoned out of the sunspot through magnetic flux tubes much like a milkshake sucked out of a straw.
The animation above is only a fraction of what Neo saw. The full field of view shows the Evershed Effect happening in three large sunspots simultaneously.
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THE INFINITE BUTTERFLY PENDANT: Are you looking for a far out gift? Consider the Infinite Butterfly Pendant. It flew to the stratosphere on April 8th onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $159.95. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling Infinite Butterflies to support their cosmic ray monitoring program.
The butterfly and sunflower are framed by a sterling silver infinity loop, the symbol of never-ending love, suspended from a matching sterling silver chain. You'll also receive a greeting card showing the butterfly in flight, and telling the story of its trip to the edge of space and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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