| | Space Weather News for May 18, 2016 http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom NASA'S GIANT SPACE BALLOON: On May 17th, NASA successfully launched a gigantic helium balloon from Wanaka, New Zealand, on a 100+ day mission to the stratosphere. The 19 million cubic foot behemoth is now floating over southern Australia, and it will soon proceed to circumnavigate the southern hemisphere. Sky watchers near the flight path can see the "space balloon" with the unaided eye and track it with backyard telescopes. Visit http://spaceweather.com for observing tips and more information about the balloon's fascinating payload. MINOR GEOMAGNETIC STORMS POSSIBLE THIS WEEK: NOAA forecasters estimate a 50% to 60% chance of minor G1-class geomagnetic storms on May 19-20 when Earth enters a stream of high-speed solar wind. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras, especially in the southern hemisphere where darkening autumn skies favor visibility. Remember, Spaceweather.com is now on Facebook! | | Above: The solar wind stream expected to hit Earth on May 19-20 is flowing from this coronal hole. Photo credit: NASA/SDO | | | Copyright © 2016 Spaceweather.com, All rights reserved. You are subscribed to the Space Weather mailing list, a free service of Spaceweather.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list | | | |