From frank at mclc908.org Sun Apr 10 18:04:03 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2016 18:04:03 -0400 Subject: [MIham] Big Sunspot Gets Bigger In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160410200323@mail211.wdc02.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160410200323@mail211.wdc02.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <570ACDD3.3050304@mclc908.org> *Space Weather News for April 10, 2016* http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom/ *BIG SUNSPOT GETS BIGGER:* The sun's headlong plunge into solar minimum has been interrupted by the surprise emergence of a big sunspot. Wide enough to swallow Earth with room to spare, AR2529 doubled in size over the weekend. The behemoth is now being photographed by amateur astronomers around the world and closely monitored by NASA spacecraft. Visit Spaceweather.com for more information. *SPACE WEATHER ON FACEBOOK: * Are you on Facebook? Good news: So is Spaceweather.com! If you would like to see our daily content in your Facebook feed, just click here and follow us . From frank at mclc908.org Wed Apr 13 10:53:25 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2016 10:53:25 -0400 Subject: [MIham] Earth Enters Solar Wind Stream In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160412234451@mail202.atl171.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160412234451@mail202.atl171.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <570E5D65.4030403@mclc908.org> *Space Weather News for April 12, 2016* http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom *EARTH ENTERS SOLAR WIND STREAM: *A G1-class geomagnetic storm is in progress on April 12th as Earth enters a stream of fast-moving solar wind. NOAA forecasters estimate a 70% chance of additional storming on April 13th as Earth moves deeper into the stream. Also, a minor CME from big sunspot AR2529 could deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on April 13th, further boosting the odds of storminess. Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information From frank at mclc908.org Mon Apr 18 12:05:59 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2016 12:05:59 -0400 Subject: [MIham] Fwd: Quiet Sunspot Wakes Up, Explodes In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160418033551@mail92.atl71.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160418033551@mail92.atl71.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <571505E7.8050407@mclc908.org> *Space Weather News for April 18, 2016* http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom *BIG SUNSPOT ERUPTS: * Surprise! Quiet sunspot AR2529 isn't so quiet, after all. The heart-shaped active region erupted on April 18th (00:39 UT), producing a strong M6.7-class solar flare and shortwave radio blackouts around the Pacific. Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information. From frank at mclc908.org Mon Apr 18 14:25:06 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:25:06 -0400 Subject: [MIham] Quiet Sunspot Wakes Up, Explodes - Update In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160418033551@mail92.atl71.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160418033551@mail92.atl71.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <57152682.6050005@mclc908.org> NOAA forecasters say that a CME hurled into space by today's M6.7-flare might deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on April 20th. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras during a possible G1-class geomagnetic storm. From frank at mclc908.org Tue Apr 19 17:46:20 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2016 17:46:20 -0400 Subject: [MIham] Quiet Sunspot Wakes Up, Explodes In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160418033551@mail92.atl71.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160418033551@mail92.atl71.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <5716A72C.9040809@mclc908.org> Yesterday, giant sunspot AR2529 unleashed a powerful M6.7-class solar flare. Today, the sunspot is leaving. AR2529 is approaching the sun's western limb where it will soon disappear from view. When AR2529 leaves the solar disk, the odds of a geo-effective flare will plummet and the solar cycle can continue its plunge toward Solar Minimum. From frank at mclc908.org Wed Apr 20 14:37:33 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2016 14:37:33 -0400 Subject: [MIham] SUNSPOT MIRAGE In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160418033551@mail92.atl71.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160418033551@mail92.atl71.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <5717CC6D.3040807@mclc908.org> SUNSPOT MIRAGE: For many photographers, departing sunspot AR2529 was an irresistible target at sunset. The sunspot's heart-shaped core beamed through the rosy twilight, marking the sun for a unique shot. On April 16th in San Francisco, California, it got a little weird. "Both the sun and the sunspot were stretched and distorted as the sun sank behind the waves of the Pacific Ocean," says Mila Zinkova. "Notice the vertical stretching of the sunspot. It was amazing to watch how the appearance of the sun changed as the sunset progressed." Here is the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIQj7Jwvg84 Atmospheric optics expert Les Cowley explains what happened: "Each sunspot on Mila's picture is from a mini mirage. The California Coast is famous for its temperature inversions. Air cooled by the offshore ocean current lies beneath warm air from inland. Sunset sunlight between the layers bends and splits into three mirage images. Two sun slices descend and one upside-down one rises. Nature is not always so simple though. In Mila's case, there were multiple small inversion layers. Each inversion layer sliced up the sun like the corrugations of a Chinese lantern. If the air were steady enough we might see that some of the heart shaped sunspots were upside down." Today, AR2529 has left the disk of the sun. Good-bye, and thanks for all the photo-ops. From frank at mclc908.org Thu Apr 21 14:41:14 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:41:14 -0400 Subject: [MIham] Lyrid Meters vs. the Full Moon In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160421183315@mail251.suw14.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160421183315@mail251.suw14.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <57191ECA.3010009@mclc908.org> *Space Weather News for April 21, 2016* http://spaceweather.com *LYRID METEORS VS. THE FULL MOON: *Earth is passing through a stream of debris from Comet Thatcher, source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Unfortunately, the shower's peak coincides with tonight's full Moon. Will we see any Lyrids through the glare? It's possible. NASA cameras have captured a number of Lyrid fireballs over the USA, easy to see in bright moonlight. Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information. From frank at mclc908.org Fri Apr 22 15:26:16 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:26:16 -0400 Subject: [MIham] CORONAL CANYON TURNS TOWARD EARTH In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160421183315@mail251.suw14.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160421183315@mail251.suw14.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <571A7AD8.9090704@mclc908.org> CORONAL CANYON TURNS TOWARD EARTH: A gaseous canyon in the sun's atmosphere has turned toward Earth, and it is spewing solar wind in our direction. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory is monitoring the structure, shown here in an extreme ultraviolet image taken on April 22nd. A month ago, this same canyon was facing Earth, and the solar wind stream it delivered sparked bright auroras around the Arctic Circle. Arctic twilight is beginning to interfere with the visibility of Northern Lights, so sightings could be restricted to latitudes south of the Arctic Circle. NOAA forecasters estimate a 65% chance of minor G1-class geomagnetic storms when the solar wind stream arrives on April 23-24. From frank at mclc908.org Sat Apr 23 12:41:04 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2016 12:41:04 -0400 Subject: [MIham] CHANCE OF STORMS: NOAA forecasters In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160421183315@mail251.suw14.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160421183315@mail251.suw14.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <571BA5A0.6080600@mclc908.org> CHANCE OF STORMS: NOAA forecasters say there is a 65% chance of minor geomagnetic storms today as Earth passes through a stream of solar wind. A more relevant percentage may be 35%--the chance of *no storms*. This solar wind stream is filled with positive-polarity magnetic fields that do not easily link to Earth's planetary magnetic field. As a result, the solar wind stream is having little effect on our planet. From frank at mclc908.org Sat Apr 23 19:49:09 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2016 19:49:09 -0400 Subject: [MIham] GEOMAGNETIC STORM: Message-ID: <571C09F5.6020309@mclc908.org> GEOMAGNETIC STORM: The solar wind is having an effect on Earth, after all. A mild G1-class geomagnetic storm is in progress on April 23rd as Earth moves through a stream of solar wind flowing from a coronal hole on the sun. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. From frank at mclc908.org Fri Apr 29 15:51:56 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:51:56 -0400 Subject: [MIham] Fwd: Space Lightning over Texas In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160429001927@mail84.atl31.mcdlv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d7020769562.20160429001927@mail84.atl31.mcdlv.net> Message-ID: <5723BB5C.2030309@mclc908.org> *Space Weather News for April 28, 2016* http://spaceweather.com *"SPACE LIGHTNING" OVER TEXAS: *Last night, a photographer in Texas captured a magnificent display of sprites dancing atop a powerful thunderstorm near Dallas. Sprites are an exotic form of lightning that shoot up from thunderstorms, reaching toward space. The Texas display shows that sprite season is now underway in the northern hemisphere. Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information and observing tips. From frank at mclc908.org Sat Apr 30 18:57:18 2016 From: frank at mclc908.org (Frank) Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2016 18:57:18 -0400 Subject: [MIham] NEGATIVE MAGNETIC FIELDS SPARK AURORAS Message-ID: <5725384E.1000906@mclc908.org> NEGATIVE MAGNETIC FIELDS SPARK AURORAS: On Saturday, April 30th, Earth entered a region of space filled with negative-polarity magnetic fields. This sparked an outburst of springtime auroras around the Arctic Circle. Todd Salat photographed the display from the shore of Lake Louise, Alaska. "I took this picture during the darkest part of the night on April 30, 2016, around 1:25 am," he says. "The auroras were reflecting beautifully from the surface of the lake during my self-portrait." The orange glow in Salat's picture is caused by the Midnight Sun, just below the horizon. At this time of year, auroras have a hard time being seen at Arctic latitudes because of the persistent twilight. Nevertheless, Salat got a good shot. "I keep thinking this is the end of the aurora season for high northern latitudes," he says, "but then I think of that infamous 1973 quote from baseball legend Yogi Berra, 'It ain't over till it's over.'" Indeed, more auroras could be in the offing. NOAA forecasters estimate a 40% to 50% chance of G1-class geomagnetic storms on April 30th-May 1st as Earth moves into a weekend solar wind stream.