SOLAR ACTIVITY ALERT: The odds of an Earth-directed solar flare are increasing as active sunspot 4436 turns toward our planet. On May 10th (1339 UTC) it blew massive hole in the sun's atmosphere during an M5.7-class solar flare:
SOHO coronagraphs are tracking the emerging CME. It should be a near miss, passing by Earth on May 13th, according to a NASA model. Ripples from the close encounter *might* cause geomagnetic distrbances around the poles.
The next explosion might not miss. This sunspot has a history: Last week while it was on the farside of the sun it produced at least 5 CMEs. If the serial explosions continue in the days ahead, Earth will be inside the strike zone. Stay tuned. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
COMET PANSTARRS AND THE ORION NEBULA: This weekend, Comet PanSTARRS (C/2025 R3) is passing by M42, the Orion Nebula. Amateur astronomer Marco Nero photographed the encounter from Katoomba, Australia:
"The comet itself was just below visible threshold for optical viewing," says Nero. "But it was an easy catch with my camera. The tail is visible even on images from my iPhone."
Southern-hemisphere astronomers are encouraged to check out this scene after local sunset. Wide-angle photos with night-sky settings will reveal the comet in only a few seconds of exposure time. Submit your images here.
more images: from Amol Kankariya of Sydney, Australia
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'ALWAYS AND FOREVER' EMERALD PENDANT: It's the color of a green flash in a golden sunset: The Always and Forever Emerald Pendent. On April 29, 2026, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $199.95. Engraved with the words "I love you always and forever", this 18K gold-plated sterling silver pendant has a synthetic emerald in the middle surrounded by glittering 5A cubic zirconia nuggets. It is a visually striking premium pendant that makes a great anniversary or birthday gift.
You pendant comes with a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight and telling the story of its trip to the stratosphere and back again.
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