GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH (G1): Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on Oct. 15th and 16th due to a CME now en route to Earth. It was launched from sunspot AR3854 on Oct. 11th, and is expected to deliver only a glancing blow. CME impact alerts: SMS Text
COMET TSUCHINSHAN-ATLAS HAS AN 'ANTI-TAIL' (UPDATED): Today is a special day for Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. Earth is passing through the comet's orbital plane, and this is causing the comet to sprout an 'anti-tail.' It's the spike coming out of the comet's head in this photo from Michael Jaeger of Martinsberg, Austria:
"Despite clouds and moonlight, the comet was a magnificent sight," says Jaeger. "The 10° tail was visible without any problem. "
Anti-tails don't seem to make sense. Comet tails are supposed to blow away from the sun, yet, anti-tails point in the opposite direction, toward the sun. They appear when Earth passes through a comet's orbital plane, which, for Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, happens on Oct. 14th. At the moment of crossing, the sharp edge of the comet's fan-shaped dust tail appears to point toward the sun. The comet becomes a unicorn.
Last night, the growing anti-tail was visible to the unaided eye from Puerto Rico, where Yarelis Medina of the Sociedad de Astronomia del Caribe photographed it above distant storm clouds:
The anti-tail will be even easier to see tonight as Earth passes through the comet's orbital plane, where the dust content is greatest.
Observing tips: The comet pops out of the twilight about 40 minutes after sunset. To see it, you'll need a clear view of the western horizon. Find Venus and look to the right; Venus and the comet are at about the same altitude. Binoculars are highly recommended to fully enjoy the pinprick brightness of the comet's head and the flowing structure of its magnificent tail.
Realtime Comet Photo Gallery
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SPACEMAN SNOOPY CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT: You can't buy this on Amazon. The Spaceman Snoopy Christmas Ornament is only available from the Earth to Sky Store. On Oct. 11, 2024, it flew to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $99.95. This ornament depicts Snoopy's historic meeting with Martian Woodstock, proving once and for all that we are not alone! Created by Hallmark, this rare keepsake floated in the stratosphere for 3 hours while radiation sensors inside the payload gathered data for a STEM radiation monitoring project.
The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling space ornaments to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Don't wait for Christmas--get yours now!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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