CRYOVOCANIC COMET 29P ERUPTS AGAIN: "We have witnessed another intense eruption on Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann," reports Richard Miles of the British Astronomical Association. "The outburst on Nov. 21st brightened the nucleus by a factor of 79." This is the 6th such eruption in the past 20 days, signaling a period of unusual activity among the comet's ice geysers. Amateur astronomers can monitor the expanding debris in the constellation Leo.
SOLAR RADIATION STORM IN PROGRESS: Today, Earth and all of our planet's satellites are being hit by a blizzard of energetic protons. It's an S1-class solar radiation storm (subsiding from a peak of S2) . You can see the particles in this coronagraph movie from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO):
Each snowy speck in the movie is caused by a proton hitting the spacecraft's camera. Fogged cameras are a problem for satellites like SOHO during storms of this size.
The source of the storm is also shown in the movie. It's the CME emerging from the farside of the sun at the 2 o'clock position. Shock waves in the leading edge of the CME are spraying energetic protons throughout the solar system.
Here on Earth, we're safe; the protons are not able to reach the ground. Just don't try to use a shortwave radio in Antarctica. A deep radio blackout is underway over the frozen continent:
Red zones in this blackout map show where signals are strongly fading because of ionization in the upper atmosphere. Why Antarctica? At this time of year, the south pole is tipped toward the sun, the source of the protons.
This storm could continue for another 24 to 36 hours. You can monitor its progress here. Radiation storm alerts: SMS Text
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
BLACK FRIDAY AT THE EDGE OF SPACE: 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 "HANDOFAPOLLO" at checkout for a 10% Early Black Friday discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Comet Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter