A SPOTLESS DAY IS IN THE OFFING: The sunspot number is dropping to zero as active region 4560 prepares to rotate off the sun's western limb. Only the continued growth of two small proto-sunspots will prevent a blank sun. Solar Cycle 25 is almost two years past maximum, and increasing numbers of spotless days are to be expected. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
THE ROUTINE BEAUTY OF A RISING FULL MOON: Full moons rise twelve, sometimes thirteen times a year. It's routine. It's also really beautiful:
"Last night, I photographed the Full Hunter's Moon rising over the pink Catalinas from my home in Oro Valley," says Arizona photographer David Abbou.
Rising Full Moons have a lot going for them. They are painted by the colors of sunset, amplified in size by the Moon Illusion, and each one has a special name.
Next month's Full Moon is the Beaver Moon. Would you like a text message at the perfect moment to see it rising? Sign up for Backyard Astronomy Alerts.
more images: from Dean Cosgrove of Springview, NE; from Tony Phillips of Bishop Creek Canyon, CA; from James Perez-Rogers of Bearsville, NY; from Joseph Golebieski of Lavallette, NJ; from Peter Lowenstein of Mutare, Zimbabwe; from Giovanni Passalacqua of Sicily -italy
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WORLD SERIES SPACE BASEBALL: The Milwaukee Brewers are in the World series. Here's a great gift for a fan: The Brewers World Series Space Baseball. It flew to the edge of space on Oct. 16, 2026, the day after they swept the L.A. Dodgers:
You can have it for $109.95. Launched onboard a cosmic ray research balloon, it flew 115,344 feet high--a real home run. It comes in the same acrylic cube that protected it during three hours at the top of Earth's atmosphere. You will also receive a greeting card showing the baseball in flight.
The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling space baseballs to pay the helium bill for their cosmic ray ballooning program. And don't worry -- Tampa's baseball is coming soon!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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