SOLAR FLARE AND PROTON STORM: Protons are raining down on Earth. This minor (S1-class) radiation storm is the result of an M1.9-class solar flare from sunspot 4492 on July 30th (1700 UT). It poses no threat to astronauts or air travelers. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
METEOR ALERT--THREE STREAMS AT ONCE: Don't be surprised if you see a meteor tonight. Three streams of comet debris are intersecting Earth's orbit this week, with a peak in activity expected on July 30-31.
Stream #1 is the most interesting. It's the Alpha Capricornid stream. Parent comet: 169P/NEAT. Here is a typical "alpha Cap" observed by Brad Goldpaint in the Sierra backcountry near Independence, CA:
"The meteor explosion was so bright it briefly illuminated the entire landscape," says Goldpaint. "You can see the persistent train in this time-lapse."
The Alpha Capricornids are famously rich in fireballs. But that's not why they're so interesting. This meteor shower is going to turn into a storm.
Researchers Peter Jenniskens (SETI Institute) and Jeremie Vaubaillon (Paris Observatory) have studied the alpha Cap debris stream. They believe it resulted from a major fragmentation event ~5000 years ago when as much as half of the original comet disintegrated. Since then, the debris has been drifting toward Earth. When it arrives in ~300 years, the Alpha Caps will transform from a 5-per-hour minor shower to a storm of thousands that return year after year.
Stream #2 is a mystery. No one knows where the Southern Delta Aquariid steam comes from, although 96P/Machholz is a leading suspect. It produces as many as 20 meteors per hour every July 30th. Most are faint and swift, radiating from the constellation Aquarius.
Stream #3 is the famous one--the Perseids. The best meteor shower of the year doesn't peak until August 12th, but we are entering the debris stream of parent comet Swift-Tuttle right now. Observers are already seeing a few every night.
The overlap of these three showers means any meteor you spot could belong to a different stream of cosmic debris. There's a ~98% illuminated moon that's up all night so fainter Southern Delta Aquariids and Perseids will be washed out. This makes the fireball-rich alpha Caps the stars of this year's 3-stream display.
Observing tips: The hours just before sunrise are best. Find a dark location, let your eyes adapt for 20 minutes, and enjoy the show!
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FULL MOON CRYSTAL NIGHT LIGHT: This unique night light comes from the edge of space bearing a message: "I Love You to the Moon and Back." On April 23, 2025, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the stratosphere onboard a giant helium balloon:
You can have it for $135.99. Made of high-quality K9 crystal, the rectanglar mini-monolith contains a 3D laser-etched full Moon floating above the text "I Love You to the Moon and Back." The crystal's LED base allows it to be used as a night light with a red, green or blue glow.
With your purchase, you'll also receive a greeting card showing night light in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again.
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