FARSIDE SOLAR ACTIVITY: The Earthside of the sun is quiet. That could soon change. Yesterday, an explosion just behind the sun's southeastern limb hurled a magnificent CME into space, heralding the approach of a new active region. It could emerge into view early this week. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
SUNSPOT SUNSET: This weekend, solar activity is low. How low? Birds have doubled the sunspot number. Count the winged figures in this sunset photo taken Saturday by Barry Ollikkala of Tarpon Springs, Florida:
"I did not need a solar filter to photograph the sun setting behind Anclote Key Lighthouse from Howard park in Tarpon Springs," says Ollikkala. "Sunspot group AR3068 was visible among the silhouettes of many birds."
Caution: Photographing the sun can be dangerous. Even when the solar disk is dimmed by low-hanging clouds or haze, it is still dangerous to look at through unfiltered optics. Always use the camera's LCD screen for viewfinding--not your unprotected eyes.
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CHINESE ROCKET RETURNS TO EARTH: China's massive Long March 5B rocket booster returned to Earth on July 30th, splashing down in the Indian Ocean at 1645 UTC. Hours before reentry, Paul D. Maley saw it tumbling across the top of Earth's atmosphere over Arizona:
"The sky here was nearly completely overcast with the rocket passing briefly through a hole in the clouds at 1117UT," says Maley. "It was tumbling once per second and was about 400km away from my site in Carefree AZ."
This is the rocket booster that propelled the Wentian science lab to China's Tiangong space station on July 24th. The 51,000 lb module docked to the station later that same day, but the booster began to fall back to Earth, out of control.
There is almost certainly debris in the Indian Ocean as 20% to 40% of the 23-ton booster was expected to survive re-entry. Populated centers under the ground track are lucky it missed.
Update: A spectacular video of the re-entry was recorded from Malaysia.
"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 balloon 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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