MINOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: NOAA forecasters say that minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on June 2nd when a stream of solar wind is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. The gaseous material is flowing from a pair of holes in the sun's atmosphere. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
SOLAR FLARE AND RADIO BLACKOUT: A new sunspot is emerging over the sun's southeastern limb. It announced itself on May 31st with a long-duration M4-class solar flare:
A pulse of extreme ultraviolet radiation ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, causing a shortwave radio blackout over the Pacific Ocean almost perfectly centered over Hawaii. Mariners and ham radio operators may have noticed loss of signal below 30 MHz for as much as an hour after 2252 UT.
Designated AR3323, the sunspot is now turning toward Earth, and it appears to be growing more complex. NOAA forecasters estimate a 40% chance of more M-flares on June 1st. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
MARS IN THE BEEHIVE: Got a telescope? Point it at Mars. The Red Planet is entering the Beehive Star Cluster. South Korean astronomer Bum-Suk Yeom created an infographic to show their conjunction:
You can see Mars with your naked eye. A telescope is recommended, though; even low magnifications will reveal Mars' rust-colored disk surrounded by the Beehive's splash of stars. Both are located in the constellation Cancer in the western sky after sunset: sky map.
This is a slow-motion conjunction that will last for more than 48 hours. Take a look and submit your pictures here.
more images: from Bob Beal of St. George, Utah
FAR-OUT FATHER'S DAY GIFT: Have you ever wished your dad smelled like Jean-Luc Picard? Make it Soap! Scented like Earl Grey tea, this bar of soap flew to the stratosphere on May 26, 2023, onboard an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray balloon:
You can have it for $99.95. The students of Earth to Sky are selling space soap to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each bar comes with a greeting card showing the soap in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter