A DANGEROUS SUNSPOT: Giant sunspot AR3354 is not directly facing Earth anymore, but it is still dangerous. The sunspot has a 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field that harbors energy for strong X-class solar flares. Even a sideways blast could affect our planet with radio blackouts and glancing-blow CMEs. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
SUNSPOT COUNTS HIT A 21-YEAR HIGH: The sun is partying like it's 2002. That's the last time sunspot counts were as high as they are now. The monthly average sunspot number for June 2023 was 163, according to the Royal Observatory of Belgium's Solar Influences Data Analysis Center. This eclipses every month since Sept. 2002:
Above: This plot is based on NOAA's interactive Solar Cycle Progression. Check it out!
Solar Cycle 25 wasn't expected to be this strong. When it began in Dec. 2019, forecasters believed it would be a weak cycle akin to its immediate predecessor Solar Cycle 24. If that forecast had panned out, Solar Cycle 25 would be one of the weakest solar cycles in a century.
Instead, Solar Cycle 25 has shot past Solar Cycle 24 and may be on pace to rival some of the stronger cycles of the 20th century. The last time sunspot numbers were this high, the sun was on the verge of launching the Great Halloween Storms of 2003, which included the strongest X-ray solar flare ever recorded (X45), auroras as far south as Texas, and a CME so powerful it was ultimately detected by the Voyager spacecraft at the edge of the solar system.
Stay tuned. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
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NOCTILUCENT CLOUD SIGHTINGS: In recent years, summertime sky watchers have grown accustiomed to bright and widespread displays of noctilucent clouds (NLCs). Not this year, though. "In 2023 even a small display is remarkable," says Marek Nikodem of Szubin, Poland, who photographed the first clouds of summer just last night:
"The long-awaited noctilucent clouds finally appeared in Poland," says Nikodem.
NLCs are Earth's highest clouds. They form every year in summer when wisps of water vapor rise up to the edge of space. At altitudes greater than 80 km, the water crystallizes around disintegrated meteoroids, forming electric-blue structures visible in the night sky.
Solar Cycle 25 may be the reason why NLCs are relatively rare this year. The active sun is hitting Earth's upper atmosphere with lots of extreme ultraviolet radiation. These high energy photons make it harder for ice crystals to form in the mesosphere, thus suppressing NLCs.
Realtime Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery
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LASER-ETCHED MOON CUBE: Last week, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a cosmic ray balloon to the stratosphere. This unique laser-etched Moon cube went along for the ride, ascending to an altitude of 101,140 feet:
You can have it for $119.95. The students are selling these cubes as a fund-raiser for their cosmic ray ballooning program. It's an authentic representation of the Moon, with all of the craters, mountains and lava plains accurately portrayed.
The Moon-cube comes with a unique gift card showing the item floating at the top of Earth's atmosphere. The interior of the card tells the story of the flight and confirms that this gift has been 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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