Electric-blue Clouds Sweep Across Europe

Source - Space Weather News for June 17, 2009: http://spaceweather.com

NIGHT-SHINING CLOUDS: On June 16th, a remarkably intense display of electric-blue noctilucent clouds (NLCs) swept across Europe. Sightings were made in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland and the British Isles. These mysterious clouds are known to flourish during years of solar minimum--and 2009 is such a year. This means more NLCs may be in the offing, not only over Europe but also North America and elsewhere. Check http://spaceweather.com for images, movies, and observing tips.

THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING SUNSPOTS: The sun is in the pits of the deepest solar minimum in nearly a century. Where have all the sunspots gone? Scientists studying a jet stream deep inside the sun may have found the answer. Find the full story at http://spaceweather.com.