A very large sunspot region known officially as AR3664 has unleashed a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) towards Earth and a “severe” geomagnetic storm is a likelihood beginning as early as tonight and lasting into the weekend. According to NOAA, the first three of these CMEs could merge and arrive later tonight and early Saturday and two others will follow close behind. This is the first “severe” watch issued by NOAA in 19 years and the results could be auroras much farther south than usual and potentially, some impacts to communications and power grid-related infrastructure.
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Many who experienced the recent total solar eclipse in the US are wondering where and when will there be other opportunities in coming years and there are others who were “clouded out” on April 8th wondering the same thing. The next total solar eclipse on US soil won’t come for twenty years and the next one in North America will take place in 2033 across portions of Alaska. There are, however, several opportunities to view total solar eclipses between now and 2034, but most will require significant planning and extensive travel.
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In August of 2017 America went crazy for the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse on US soil since 1918 and it provided a great opportunity for scientists and all sky watchers. What was referred to as “The Great American Solar Eclipse” took place on August 21st, 2017 when the moon passed between the sun and earth. Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every year or so, but generally cast their shadows over oceans or remote land masses. If you missed the 2017 total solar eclipse or it turned out to be cloudy in your particular area then there will be another opportunity on Monday, April 8th. This time the Moon's dark shadow, about 115 miles wide, will cross Mexico, sweep northeast from Texas to Maine, and then darken the Canadian Maritimes.
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In August of 2017 America went crazy for the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse on US soil since 1918 and it provided a great opportunity for scientists and all sky watchers. What was referred to as “The Great American Solar Eclipse” took place on August 21st, 2017 when the moon passed between the sun and earth. Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every year or so, but generally cast their shadows over oceans or remote land masses. If you missed the 2017 total solar eclipse or it turned out to be cloudy in your particular area then there will be another opportunity in less than thirty days on Monday, April 8th, 2024. This time the Moon's dark shadow, about 115 miles wide, will cross Mexico, sweep northeast from Texas to Maine, and then darken the Canadian Maritimes.
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In August of 2017 America went crazy for the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse on US soil since 1918 and it provided a great opportunity for scientists and all sky watchers. What was referred to as “The Great American Solar Eclipse” took place on August 21st, 2017 when the moon passed between the sun and earth. Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every year or so, but generally cast their shadows over oceans or remote land masses. If you missed the 2017 total solar eclipse or it turned out to be cloudy in your particular area then there will be another opportunity in just under three months from now on Monday, April 8th, 2024. This time the Moon's dark shadow, about 115 miles wide, will cross Mexico, sweep northeast from Texas to Maine, and then darken the Canadian Maritimes.
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The Geminid meteor shower is visible from mid-November through Christmas, but it typically peaks in mid-December and the best two nights for viewing should be tonight and tomorrow night. The Geminids first became visible from Earth in the mid-1800s and the meteor shower has increased in visibility since then. The Geminids are bright and tend to be yellow in color and are fast movers with a velocity of 22 miles per second. Sky conditions should be quite favorable both tonight and tomorrow night in the Mid-Atlantic region with generally clear skies (albeit quite cold) potentially resulting in more than a hundred meteors visible per hour if based in dark locations.
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The Earth’s upper atmosphere is an interesting place these days and will be impacted in the near-term by a so-called “cannibal” coronal mass ejection (CME). In addition, there is an on-going stratospheric warming event that can have an impact on winter weather conditions across parts of the nation later in the month of December and possibly well into January as well. The incoming CME can result in some communication problems on Friday, December 1st and it certainly can produce northern lights potentially visible all the way down into the middle latitudes. The unfolding stratospheric warming event can increase the chances for cold air outbreaks to make their way this winter season from the higher latitudes to the middle latitudes.
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2024 was already going to be a very interesting year for sun observers in the US with a rare total solar eclipse visible on April 8th. In addition, it now appears that the current solar cycle 25 (SC25) may reach a peak sometime between January and October of next year which is much earlier than previously anticipated. The peak of SC25 may also be stronger and last longer than previously estimates.
This timing change of the maximum phase for the current solar cycle may actually make for an even better viewing experience of the total solar eclipse coming next April to viewers in the US. The reasoning is that a total solar eclipse provides a rare opportunity to view the sun’s outer atmosphere layer known as the corona and a more active sun will likely result in a more active corona. In addition, dazzling displays of the northern lights may become more frequent in coming months. Just this past weekend, two coronal mass ejections hit the Earth’s atmosphere and the double-blow sparked strong geomagnetic storms and auroras as far south as Texas and Colorado.
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Galileo turned his primitive telescope towards Jupiter in the early 1600’s and saw tiny specks of light with no discernable features. What a difference 400+ years can make as today’s backyard telescopes can resolve Europa’s disk surprisingly well. Europa is now considered one of the most complex and fascinating worlds in the solar system. Cracks, ridges, and chaotic terrain on the moon's icy crust may offer access to one of the largest oceans in the solar system--and a possible abode for aquatic life. NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, due to launch one year from now in October 2024, will conduct a detailed reconnaissance of the moon's surface to help plan future missions including a lander and perhaps even a submarine.
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In August of 2017 America went crazy for the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse on US soil since 1918 and it provided a great opportunity for scientists and all sky watchers. What was referred to as “The Great American Solar Eclipse” took place on August 21st, 2017 when the moon passed between the sun and earth. Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every year or so, but generally cast their shadows over oceans or remote land masses. If you missed the 2017 total solar eclipse or it turned out to be cloudy in your particular area then there will be another opportunity in just about six months from now on Monday, April 8th, 2024. This time the Moon's dark shadow, about 115 miles wide, will cross Mexico, sweep northeast from Texas to Maine, and then darken the Canadian Maritimes.
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