A NEW CME IS COMING: A new CME left the sun today following an M3.9-class solar flare from sunspot 4403. The CME is not squarely aimed at Earth. However, a NASA model shows that it could graze our planet on March 29th. The arrival of the CME combined with a high-speed stream of solar wind (also expected on March 29th) could spark G1-G2 geomagnetic storms. CME impact alerts: SMS Text
NAKED-EYE COMET ON THE WAY: A visitor from the outermost reaches of the solar system is about to become a naked-eye object. Introducing Comet Pan-STARRS (C/2025 R3):
Michael Jaeger and Gerald Rhemann photographed the comet (magnitude +7.8) from Weißenkirchen, Austria: "The comet's brightness has increased significantly in recent weeks," they say. "One week after the full moon in April, it is expected to become visible to the naked eye."
Discovered by the Pan-STARRS survey in Sept. 2025, the comet is diving toward its closest approach to the sun (0.50 AU) on April 19th, bringing it well inside the orbit of Venus. If current trends continue, the comet could brighten to magnitude +2, easily seen and photographed in the pre-dawn sky.
The comet's brightness will receive a further boost on April 24-25 when it passes almost directly between Earth and the sun. The process is called "forward scattering." Sunlight passing through the comet's dusty atmosphere could be amplified 100-fold or more.
We won't be able to see the April 24th surge from Earth. The comet will be too close to the sun. But coronagraphs onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) will have a great view of what could briefly become a truly magnificent object.
more images: from Dan Bartlett of June Lake, California; from Mike Olason of Tucson, Arizona; from Larry Stevens of Portal, Arizona
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A FAR-OUT MOTHER'S DAY GIFT: Mother's Day is coming. Are you looking for a far-out gift? This one Floats Like a Butterfly. It flew to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon on Jan. 15, 2026:
You can have it for $91.95. This acrylic butterfly is a love note: "To my beautiful Mom, never forget that I love you," the inscription says. It's a durable tribute to any loving mom.
Do you love science? Shop the Earth to Sky Store. Every item in the store has been to the edge of space, floating above 99.7% of Earth's atmosphere, experiencing cosmic rays, extreme cold, and a wild ride parachuting back to Earth. All sales support student research and STEM education.
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