SATELLITE FLYBYS APP: Turn your iPhone or iPod into a field-tested satellite tracker! Spaceweather.com presents the Satellite Flybys app. | | | GIANT MYSTERY, SOLVED? Last year, when NASA's IBEX spacecraft discovered a giant ribbon at the edge of the solar system, researchers were mystified. They called it a "shocking result" and puzzled over its origin. Now the mystery may have been solved. Get the full story from Science@NASA. ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE: This morning, the Moon passed in front of the sun, producing a solar eclipse over Africa, the Middle East, Asia and a small portion of Europe. Elias Chasiotis sends this spectacular sunrise shot from Cape Sounio, Greece: "I used a Canon 450D to photograph the eclipse with the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon in the foreground," says Chasiotis. "It was a beautiful sight." Browse the gallery for more snapshots from the eclipse zone: UPDATED: Solar Eclipse Photo Gallery [World Map of Eclipse Sightings] COLD SUNRISE: Lately, early risers around the northern hemisphere have noticed something unusual. The dawn sun is as flat as a pancake! Earl Siggaard sends this example from Sidney, Montana: "It was a very cold morning, about 3o below zero," says Siggaard. "You can see the wind whipping up snow in the background." Indeed, cold is key to the phenomenon. Atmospheric optics expert Les Cowley explains: "All these 'pancake suns' are mirages produced by abnormally cold air beneath warmer air--a temperature inversion. In a normal atmosphere, low-hanging air is warmed by the land. This warm air bubbles upwards, cooling and forming cumulus clouds as it does so. In cold weather, however, especially when there is a clear sky at night, heavy cold air forms close to the ground. The cold air layer cannot rise and persists, sometimes getting colder and colder." "Our recent very cold weather has produced strong inversions and many miraged sunsets. Other mirages to look for when it is cold outside do not involve the sun. We can see ships sailing upside down and distant mountains fashioned into fantastically decorated tall castles - the Fata Morgana." more images: from Evan Ludes of Beebeetown, Iowa; from Chris Allington of Beebeetown, Iowa January Northern Lights Gallery [previous Januarys: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2001] |