Morning Alignment of Planets

Source - Space Weather News for Sept. 16, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

MORNING ALIGNMENT OF PLANETS: Set your alarm for dawn. Three planets and the crescent Moon are gathering for a beautiful alignment in the eastern sky before sunrise. In the mornings ahead, the Moon will hop from Venus to Mars and Mercury, forming a series of beautiful conjunctions, while Venus has its own close encounter with bright blue star Regulus.

Visit Spaceweather.com for sky maps and more information.

Above: Morning planets over Gleichen, Alberta, photographed by Alan Dyer. Monitor the Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery for more sightings.

Sunspot Counts Drop to 7-Year Low

Source - Space Weather News for March 19, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

SUNSPOT COUNTS HIT 7-YEAR LOW: The face of the sun has been blank (no sunspots) for 13 consecutive days. The last time this happened was in April of 2010, near the end of an historically deep Solar Minimum.  The current stretch of blank suns heralds a new Solar Minimum expected to arrive in 2019-2020.  What does this mean for space weather? Answers may be found on today's edition of Spaceweather.com

VENUS AT INFERIOR CONJUNCTION: This week, Venus will pass almost directly between Earth and the sun--an event astronomers call "inferior solar conjunction."  As it turns its night side to Earth, the planetary disk of Venus is transforming into an exquisitely slender crescent easily seen through small telescopes or binoculars.  Visit Spaceweather.com for photos and observing tips.

Geomagnetic Storm Likely This Week

Source - Space Weather News for Feb. 27, 2017: http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR WIND, INCOMING: A canyon-shaped hole in the sun's atmosphere is spewing a stream of solar wind toward Earth. Polar geomagnetic storms could begin as early as Feb. 28th when the leading edge of the stream reaches our planet. NOAA forecasters estimate a 60% chance of G1-class storms on March 1st when Earth is fully enveloped by the fast-moving solar wind. More information @ Spaceweather.com

SUNSET PLANETS: When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and look west.  The skinny crescent Moon is approaching Venus for a side-by-side gathering on Feb. 28th. 

Visit Spaceweather.com for sky maps.

A Big Hole in the Sun's Atmosphere faces Earth

Source - Space Weather News for Jan. 30, 2017 - http://spaceweather.com

A BIG HOLE IN THE SUN'S ATMOSPHERE: A large, canyon-shaped hole has opened in the sun's atmosphere, and it is spewing a stream of solar wind toward Earth.  Polar geomagnetic storms are likely when the fast-moving stream arrives, probably on Feb 1st. Visit today's edition of Spaceweather.com for more information.

SUNSET SKY SHOW: For the next two nights, watch the southwestern sky at sunset. Mars, Venus and the crescent Moon are converging for a beautiful gathering in the evening twilight.  Visit Spaceweather.com for sky maps and photos.

"Space Lightning" Sighted over Hurricane Matthew

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 3, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

"SPACE LIGHTNING" SHOOTS OUT OF HURRICANE MATTHEW: Hurricane Matthew, currently crossing the Carribean, is not a typical storm.  It's one of the most powerful hurricanes of recent years and it has sprites dancing along its cloudtops. Sprites are an exotic form of lightning that shoots up toward the edge of space instead of down toward the ground. Visit Spaceweather.com to see beautiful photos of Hurricane Matthew's "space lightning."

Image Credit: Frankie Lucena - October 1, 2016 - Cabo Rojo,Puerto Rico
Image Source URL - http://spaceweathergallery.com/indiv_upload.php?upload_id=129751

BACKYARD ASTRONOMY ALERT: When the sun goes down on Monday, Oct. 3rd, step outside and look west.  If you have a clear view of the horizon, you'll see Venus and the exquisitely slender crescent Moon side by side in the sunset sky. Visit Spaceweather.com for sky maps and photos.

Spectacular Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter

Source - Space Weather News for Aug. 27, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

SPECTACULAR CONJUNCTION: This weekend, Jupiter and Venus are having a spectacular conjunction in the sunset sky. Separated by only a fraction of a degree, the two brightest planets almost look like they're going to touch. This heavenly meeting is easy to see from the southern hemisphere, but much more challenging from the north.

Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information and the latest images.

  

Bright planets over Brisbane, Australia, on Aug. 27, 2016. Photo credit: Stephen Mudge.

Daytime Occultation of Venus on Dec. 7th

Space Weather News for Dec. 6, 2015 http://spaceweather.com

DAYTIME OCCULTATION OF VENUS: On Monday, Dec. 7th, sky watchers in North America can see the Moon pass in front of Venus in broad daylight--no telescope required. Visit Spaceweather.com for observing tips and more information.

SOLAR WIND SPARKS AURORAS: Earth is entering a stream of solar wind flowing from a broad coronal hole on the sun.  In response, auroras are dancing around the Arctic Circle.  More lights are in the offing as Earth moves deeper into the stream.  NOAA forecasters estimate a 55% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on Dec. 7th and 8th. Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

CME Impact on Oct. 24th

Source - Space Weather News for Oct. 24, 2015: http://spaceweather.com

CME IMPACT:  Arriving earlier than expected, a CME hit Earth's magnetic field on Saturday, Oct. 24th. Polar geomagnetic storms and auroras are possible this weekend as Earth moves through the CME's magnetized wake.  Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

MORNING SKY SHOW:  Set your alarm for dawn. Venus, Jupiter and Mars are gathering for a three-way close encounter in the early morning sky. Sky maps and observing tips are available on today's edition of  http://spaceweather.com

Rare "Gigantic Jets" erupt from Hurricane Hilda

Source - Space Weather News for Aug. 14, 2015: http://spaceweather.com

GIGANTIC JETS OVER HURRICANE HILDA: A rare form of upward lightning that reaches almost to the edge of space has been observed shooting up from Hurricane Hilda as the storm approaches Hawaii.  See the video and learn more about these "gigantic jets" on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com

INFERIOR CONJUNCTION OF VENUS:  The planet Venus is turning into a whisper-thin crescent as it passes almost directly between the Earth and Sun this weekend.  Photos and observing tips are available on http://spaceweather.com

Planets Converge for Sunset Sky Show

Source - Space Weather News for June 29, 2015: http://spaceweather.com

SUNSET SKY SHOW: The two brightest planets in the night sky are converging for a spectacular close encounter.  On June 30th, Jupiter and Venus will be just a fraction of a degree apart, forming a pair so bright that you can see them even before nightfall. Check http://spaceweather.com for observing tips and more.

Incoming CME could spark solstice auroras

Source - Space Weather News for June 19, 2015: http://spaceweather.com

SOLSTICE AURORA WATCH: On June 18th, the sun produced its biggest flare in nearly two months.  The M3-class explosion caused a brief low-frequency radio blackout over North America and hurled a CME into space.  A glancing blow from the CME is likely on June 21st , possibly sparking a geomagnetic storm and solstice auroras.  Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.

SUNSET PLANETS:  When sun goes down tonight, step outside and look west.  Venus, Jupiter and the crescent Moon are having a lovely conjunction in the sunset sky.  Photos @ http://spaceweathergallery.com

Amazing Sunset Sky Show

Source - NASA Science News for June 11, 2015

Venus and Jupiter are converging for a must-see close encounter at the end of June. It could be the best backyard sky show of 2015.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2015/11jun_skyshow/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://youtu.be/_ppuCZR8Mkw



Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)

Solar Activity Picks Up

Source - Space Weather News for August 22, 2014: http://spaceweather.com

SOLAR ACTIVITY: Solar activity has been low for weeks. A new sunspot turning toward Earth could change that. AR2149 announced itself on August 21st with a M3-class solar flare that sent waves of ionization coursing through Earth's upper atmosphere.  The active region appears capable of more eruptions in the days ahead.  Visit http://spaceweather.com for updates.

MORNING SKY SHOW:  Set your alarm for dawn--again.  The crescent Moon is joining Jupiter and Venus to form a bright triangle in the early morning sky. The best time to look is August 23rd about 30 to 45 minutes before local sunrise. Photos of the encounter may be found at http://spaceweathergallery.com

Bright Planet Conjunction

Source - Space Weather News for August 17, 2014: http://spaceweather.com

WOW! MORNING CONJUNCTION:  Jupiter and Venus are converging in the eastern sky for a spectacular pre-dawn conjunction.  Closest approach is Monday morning, August 18th.  The event is highlighted on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com

MINOR STORM WARNING:   Minor geomagnetic storms are possible during the late hours of August 18th when a faint CME is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field head-on. 

Aurora alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Beautiful Morning Conjunction

Source - NASA Science News for August 15, 2014

Set your alarm for dawn! Venus and Jupiter are converging for a spectacular conjunction in the early morning sky.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/15aug_conjunction/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK57BMj2Vj4&feature=youtu.beVIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK57BMj2Vj4&feature=youtu.be 



License: Standard YouTube License

Amazing Pictures of Venus Passing by the Sun

Source - Space Weather News for Jan. 11, 2014: http://spaceweather.com

VENUS AT INFERIOR CONJUNCTION: Today, Jan. 11th, Venus is at inferior conjunction. That means it is located almost directly between Earth and the sun. Around the world amateur astronomers are taking special precautions to avert eye damage as they photograph Venus passing by the sun in broad daylight.

Visit http://spaceweather.com to see their amazing photos.

Must-See Sunset Phenomenon

Source - Space Weather News for Dec. 30, 2013: http://spaceweather.com

MUST-SEE SUNSET PHENOMENON: Like the Moon, Venus has phases, and this week the second planet from the sun is a whisper-thin crescent. The phenomenon is easy to observe. Venus is so bright, you can see it at sunset even before the sky fades to black (hint: face southwest).  A pair of binoculars or a small telescope reveals Venus's crescent shape.

Check http://spaceweather.com for photos and more information.

AURORA WATCH:  A solar wind stream is approaching Earth and could spark the first auroras of 2014 when it arrives on Jan. 2-4.  Would you like a call when the sky lights up? Geomagnetic storm alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice).

Planets Aligning in the Sunset Sky

Source - NASA Science News for May 10, 2013

Mercury, Venus and Jupiter are lining up for a beautiful sunset conjunction at the end of May.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/10may_sunsettriangle/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPthe9e-T18



License: Standard YouTube License

A Transit of Venus on Dec. 21, 2012

Source - NASA Science News for Dec. 20, 2012

This Friday, Dec. 21st, researchers will use NASA's Cassini spacecraft to observe a rare transit of Venus visible from the planet Saturn.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/20dec_transitofvenus/

Here is a bonus video about DEC 21, 2012: NASA is so sure the world will not come to an end on Dec. 21, 2012, they've already released a video about the day after. View "Why the World Didn't End Yesterday" at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY_Gc1bF8ds

Or you can view the video here:



Standard YouTube License

A Good Reason to Wake Up at Dawn

Source - NASA Science News for July 3, 2012

The brightest planets in the solar system are converging for a beautiful sunrise sky show that begins on the 4th of July.

The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/03jul_wakeupatdawn/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTxazv-wdp4