A HOLE IN THE SUN'S ATMOSPHERE: A high-speed stream of solar wind is approaching Earth. ETA: Dec. 1st. The gaseous material is flowing from a canyon-like hole in the sun's atmosphere. Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible when the solar wind arrives. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
HOW BRIGHT IS BLUEWALKER 3? When SpaceX launched the giant Bluewalker 3 satellite two months ago, some analysts feared it might become the brightest thing in the night sky. It's not that bad. This fisheye view of a pass over St. George, Utah, shows what observers have been seeing:
"Bluewalker 3 was visible in mid-evening twilight," says says photographer Bob Beal. "I first detected it in 7x35 binoculars as it was approaching Altair in the southwest; then I picked it up by eye. As Bluewalker 3 crossed near the zenith it brightened to a solid magnitude +2."
Other observers have reported as much as a half a magnitude brighter: +1.5. These values put Bluewalker 3 among the top 50 brightest stars in the sky--not bad, but not good either. When Bluewalker 3 passes in front of a research-grade telescope, it completely overwhelms faint stars, asteropids, and distant galaxies.
While this is only a single satellite for now, Bluewalker's maker AST SpaceMobile plans to launch more than 100 larger satellites called BlueBirds. These satellites could be more than twice the size of BlueWalker 3 and much brighter. Flocks of Bluebirds could ruin a lot of astronomical observations. No wonder the International Astronomical Union has launched a new center to fight the threat of satellite megaconstellations.
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BLACK FRIDAY AT THE EDGE OF SPACE (EXTENDED): Christmas is coming. Are you looking for a far-out gift? Check out the Earth to Sky Store. It's filled with unique items that have flown to the edge of space onboard cosmic ray research balloons.
Carried aloft by giant helium balloons, these unique gifts have flown above 99.7% of Earth's atmosphere, experiencing space-like blasts of cosmic rays, extreme cold, and a wild ride parachuting back to Earth after the balloon explodes. Even Amazon doesn't carry items this far out.
Don't forget to enter coupon code "BLACKPEARL" at checkout for a 15% Black Friday discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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