GEOMAGNETIC UNREST POSSIBLE TODAY: NOAA forecasters say that a CME launched from the sun on June 12th could graze Earth today. If it occurs, the glancing blow would likely cause geomagnetic unrest with a chance of minor (G1) geomagnetic storms. The almost-New Moon will provide dark skies for high-latitude auroras. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
RARE DAYTIME OCCULTATION OF VENUS: This Wednesday, June 17th, you're going to want to do something unusual. Go outside under the blue sky and stand in the shadow of a building. That's the best place to see the daylight occultation of Venus.
The last time this happened: Dec. 7, 2015. Credit: David Pinsky of West Hollywood, CA
For the first time in 11 years, the crescent Moon will pass in front of Venus in broad daylight over the USA, both well separated from the sun. The bright planet will disappear behind the Moon's dark edge and reappear about an hour later.
Can you really see this during the day? You can! Scan the blue sky with binoculars until you find the Moon's pale crescent. Once located, you'll discover both the Moon and Venus are surprisingly easy to see with the naked eye. A smartphone camera zoomed and pointed in the right direction will have no trouble recording the scene.
Warning: DO NOT point your optics at the sun. Standing in the shadows is a good way to avoid this blinding mistake.
The occultation starts around 4:00 pm EDT on the East Coast, 11:40 am PDT on the West Coast. The timing varies by tens of minutes within each timezone. To get a better idea when you should look, here is a timetable and a timing map for selected US cities.
This amazing event ends with a twilight exclamation mark. After sunset, Venus, the Moon, Jupiter and Mercury will line up in the western sky for a gorgeous alignment. Submit your pictures here! Sky maps: June 16, 17.
City-by-City Timetable -- USA Timing Map
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"I LOVE YOU MORE" MOONSTONE PENDANT: Nothing says "I love you" like a moonstone from space. On May 26th, this sterling silver moonstone pendant hitched a ride to the stratosphere on an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray balloon. Here it is floating 112,201 feet above the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California:
You can have it for $142.95. The students are selling these pendants to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Engraved with "I Love You More," it makes a great anniversary, birthday or (never too early!) Christmas gift. Each pendant comes with a greeting card showing the moonstone in flight and telling the story of its trip to the stratosphere and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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