NEW! BACKYARD ASTRONOMY ALERTS: We're proud to announce a new service from Spaceweather.com: Backyard Astronomy Alerts. We love this product. Subscribers receive real-time alerts about space station flybys, aurora outbursts, planetary conjunctions, meteor showers and more -- all easy to see with the naked eye. SMS text messages tell you to go outside right now while the event is happening, and companion emails include sky maps and detailed observing tips. Check out the Father's Day Special, 50% off!
SOLSTICE SOLAR FLARES: Solar activity is increasing as a farside sunspot (AR4377) comes around the sun's eastern limb and turns toward Earth. June 21st began with an M3-class solar flare and continued with an M7 that almost crossed the threshold of X-class:
The increasing pace and intensity of explosions from AR4473 suggest that more flares are likely in the hours ahead. If so, there's a good chance the sun will be shining when it happens. Today is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
LARGE FARSIDE SUNSPOT: Another farside sunspot is coming, and it's a big one. Europe's Solar Orbiter photographed the behemoth on June 20th:
This sunspot is growing rapidly. Only a few days ago it was small and unremarkable. Since June 16th, Solar Orbiter has watched it multiply in size more than 10-fold. The sunspot will reach the Earthside of the sun a few days from now, not far behind active region 4473. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
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GIVE THE GIFT OF THE STARS FOR FATHER'S DAY: It's Father's Day! Do you need a last-minute gift? Consider our new Backyard Astronomy Alert Service. Subscribers receive real-time alerts about space station flybys, aurora outbursts, planetary conjunctions, meteor showers and more -- all easy to see with the naked eye.
How it works: SMS text messages tell Dad to go outside right now while the event is happening, and companion emails include sky maps and detailed observing tips.
For Father's Day, it's 50% off. You can give an entire year of stargazing for $49.95 (regularly $99.95). We'll send Dad a gift card and activation code immediately or on Father's Day itself, whichever you prefer.
Bonus: You can buy this gift for yourself at the same half-off price.
Give the Gift of the Stars at backyardalerts.com/gifts.
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