GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH--UPGRADED: NOAA forecasters have upgraded the May 15th geomagnetic storm watch to category G2 (Moderate). The new forecast takes into account not only an incoming stream of solar wind but also the possibility of a glancing blow from a CME. The New Moon will provide dark skies for high-latitude auroras. Free: Space Weather Newsletter.
NEAR-EARTH ASTEROID VS NEAR-EARTH SATELLITES: On May 7th, Italian amateur astronomer Enrico Pettarin decided to try to photograph NEO 2026 JH, a newly discovered near-Earth asteroid. To image the house-sized space rock, he exposed a patch of sky for about 20 minutes. Can you find the asteroid?
Still looking? You can find it labeled here.
"Maybe it was the 'perfect' time of night, but during my observation at least 10 satellites crossed the field of view," says Pettarin. "Fortunately, this time the trails missed the asteroid."
Interfering streaks come from three different commercial broadband megaconstellations (9 Starlinks, 1 OneWeb, 1 Kuiper), plus a piece of old Russian rocket debris (a Briz-M fuel tank). The distribution of streaks mirrors the global ranking of megaconstellation populations--with Starlink at #1 (10,375 satellites), Oneweb at #2 (634 sats) and Amazon Kuiper/Leo at #3 (302 sats)--all of which outnumber the faint near-Earth asteroids you can typically find in a 1x1 degree field of view.
No problem, why would we ever need to find an asteroid?
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COMET PANSTARRS VISITS ORION: On May 8th, Comet PanSTARRS (C/2025 R3) flew through the constellation Orion. Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau recorded the transit with a deep-sky shot from Rafaela, Argentina:
"This image shows Comet PanSTARRS setting above the western horizon alongside the Orion molecular cloud complex during twilight," says Poupeau. "The frame also contains the Orion Nebula (M42), the Flame Nebula, and the Horsehead Nebula."
more images: from Alan C Tough observing remotely from Rio Hurtado Valley, Chile; from Ujvárosi Beáta observing remotely from Rio Hurtado Valley, Chile
BREWER'S YEAST FROM SPACE: Father's Day is coming soon. Dad might appreciate some far-out home brew! On Oct. 4, 2025, we flew six test tubes of brewer's yeast to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have a tube for $59.95. These high-flying microbes are the perfect gift for any home brewer who wants a far-out Ale or Lager. Choose from one of three varieties (American Ale, English Ale and Smooth Lager). Your order comes with a greeting card showing the yeast in flight and telling the story of its trip to the stratosphere and back again. Bottoms up!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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