STEVE Visits the USA

Space Weather News for May 7, 2018 http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom STEVE VISITS THE USA: Over the weekend, a solar wind stream engulfed Earth, sparking stronger-than-expected G2-class geomagnetic storms. At the peak of the storms, STEVE appeared. The strange ribbon-like aurora traveled south and was sighted in multiple US states. Visit today's edition of Spaceweather.com to see pictures and learn more about STEVE. Remember, SpaceWeather.com is on Facebook! Above: Greg Ash took this picture of STEVE over Ely, Minnesota, on May 5th. For more sightings, visit the Realtime STEVE Photo Gallery. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2018 Spaceweather.com, All rights reserved.

Geomagnetic Storm in Progress (G1-class)

Space Weather News for May 5, 2018 http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A minor G1-class geomagnetic storm is in progress on May 5th as Earth enters a stream of fast-moving solar wind. The gaseous material is flowing from a wide hole in the sun's atmosphere. It is, in fact, so wide that Earth could be inside the stream for days to come. NOAA forecasters estimate a 55% chance of continued storms on May 6th and 7th. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. Visit Spaceweather.com for updates. Remember, SpaceWeather.com is on Facebook! Above: This extreme UV image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the source of today's solar wind stream--a wide hole in the sun's atmosphere. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2018 Spaceweather.com, All rights reserved.

Weekend Mars Rocket Could Produce Man-made Noctilucent Clouds

Space Weather News for May 4, 2018 http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom WEEKEND MARS ROCKET LAUNCH: NASA is about to do something it has never done before. On Saturday, May 5th, the space agency will attempt to launch a rocket to Mars from the west coast of the USA. Exhaust from the early-morning liftoff will produce a luminous plume over Southern California and a potential display of artificial noctilucent clouds visible from a wider area. Visit today's edition of Spaceweather.com for observing tips and more information about noctilucent rocket exhaust. PS. Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you.... Above: Mother's Day is next weekend! Support STEM research and atmospheric radiation monitoring by shopping for a gift from the Earth to Sky Calculus Store. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2018 Spaceweather.com, All rights reserved.

Sunspots are Vanishing Faster than Expected

Space Weather News for May 1, 2018 http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom SUNSPOTS VANISHING FASTER THAN EXPECTED: So far in 2018, the sun has been blank more than half the time. Whole weeks have gone by without a single sunspot. Although forecasters have been expecting sunspots to disappear with the approach of Solar Minimum, it is happening faster than predicted. Visit today's edition of Spaceweather.com to see the data and to find out what it means, down-to-Earth. Remember, SpaceWeather.com is on Facebook! Above: Sunspot counts are dropping to zero faster than predicted. Get the full story. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2018 Spaceweather.com, All rights reserved.

A Special Conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter

Space Weather News for April 27, 2018 http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom A SPECIAL CONJUNCTION OF THE MOON AND JUPITER: This weekend, the Moon and Jupiter are converging in the constellation Libra for a special conjunction. Jupiter is approaching Earth for a close encounter in early May, making the giant planet extra big and bright. On Sunday night, April 29th, the Moon will turn full just as it glides past the brightening gas giant. It adds up to a display of rare brilliance in the midnight sky. Visit Spaceweather.com for sky maps and more information. Remember, SpaceWeather.com is on Facebook! Above: This sky map shows Jupiter and the full Moon converging in the constellation Libra. Monitor Spaceweather's Realtime Photo Gallery for pictures of the encounter. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2018 Spaceweather.com, All rights reserved.