QUIET WEEKEND: No CMEs are heading for Earth. Barring an unexpected impact from a stealthy storm cloud, geomagnetic activity should remain low this weekend with few auroras outside the Arctic Circle. CME impact alerts: SMS Text
SUNGRAZING COMET ATLAS: Some writers are calling it "the brightest comet of 2025." Maybe. If Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3) survives its brush with the sun next month, it could become very bright indeed. At the moment, it is a barely visible in the morning sky of the southern hemisphere. Nick James of the British Astronomical Association photographed it on Dec. 28th using a remote-controled telescope in Chile:
"This morning, the comet had a total magnitude of +6.0," says James. It was very low in the sky, but "the T70 telescope at X07 in Chile is able to get down to the mountain ridge horizon, which is around 4 degrees."
The fact that Comet ATLAS is hugging the morning horizon explains why so few astronomers are observing it. It is easily eclipsed by trees and hillsides.
Soon, however, the comet may attract much more attention. On January 13, 2025, it will be only 0.09 AU from the sun. Extreme heat could boost the comet's brightness to magnitude -3.5, almost as bright as Venus. Or, it could be completely destroyed. Either way, Comet ATLAS is about to put on a show. Stay tuned!
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SUNSET MIRAGE: On Dec. 28th, when the sun set over Hungary, strange things happened to the solar disk. Kuli Zoltán photographed the distortions from the town of Piszkesteto:
"Using my 80 mm refracting telescope, I watched the sun divide itself into slices and change into strange shapes," says Zoltán. "At the end, there was an emerald green flash."
This is, of course, a mirage, caused by afternoon temperature inversions in the atmosphere over Hungary. The slices Zoltán witnessed are evidence of atmospheric ducts: Pancaked layers of warm and cold air squashed the solar disk, stacking multiple layers in a "mock mirage" display. What a way to end the day!
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CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: Christmas is here! 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 "BLACKCAT" at checkout for a 10% holiday discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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