CONTINUED CHANCE OF STORMS: Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible for the next three days (May 17-19) as Earth passes through a stream of fast-moving solar wind. Storm levels could increase to category G2 (Moderate) on May 18th when a CME is expected to graze Earth's magnetic field. A nearly-New Moon will provide dark skies for high-latitude auroras. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
HUGE FARSIDE SUNSPOT: One of the biggest sunspots in years is crossing the farside of the sun. Europe's Solar Orbiter photographed the behemoth on May 17th:
Located in the sun's southern hemisphere, the sunspot is crackling with strong solar flares. X-ray sensors onboard Solar Orbiter have detected two X1-class flares and almost a dozen M-class flares on May 15-17. Earth-based coronagraphs have also detected multiple CMEs emerging from the farside, making this a very active region.
The giant sunspot is also visible from Mars. During a survey of atmospheric dust on May 16th the Perseverance rover saw *two* large active regions:
One of these is clearly the V-shaped region Solar Orbiter is tracking, with a second large sunspot just now entering Solar Orbiter's field of view.
The bigger of these sunspots will turn toward Earth in 5 or 6 days, putting our planet in the strike zone for future activity. Stay tuned for updates from Solar Orbiter and Mars. Solar Flare alerts: SMS Text.
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THIS IS *REAL* MONEY FROM SPACE: The US Mint just released a new $1 coin to honor one of America's greatest innovators: Steve Jobs. On May 14, 2026, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched the coins to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have a single coin for $49.95 or an entire unbroken roll for $299.95. No longer available from the US Mint, these rare coins flew 111,113 feet above the Sierra Nevada. One side shows Steve Jobs in a meditative pose; the other side features the Statue of Liberty in profile. The coin is inscribed with the words "MAKE SOMETHING WONDERFUL."
Bonus: If you need to, you can spend these coins. They're legal tender.
The students are selling space coins to support to support their cosmic ray research program. (Helium is expensive!) Each order comes with a greeting card showing the coins in flight and telling the story of their journey to the stratosphere and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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