Roses. Candy. Spatulas? Make that the stars: Spaceweather PHONE for Mother's Day.
COMMENTS, PLEASE: NASA's ACE spacecraft is almost four years past its intended lifetime. Although ACE measurements of the solar wind flowing past Earth are crucial to space weather forecasts, there is no plan to replace ACE when the craft ceases to function. NOAA is seeking public comment on this state of affairs. If you enjoy auroras, please let them know that ACE needs a successor.
COMET NEWS: Only a few days ago, fragment B of dying comet 73P/Schwassmann Wachmann 3 split in two. One of those two pieces is now "in outburst," almost doubling in brightness since April 23rd. These false-color images from Rolando Ligustri of Talmassons, Italy, show the pair yesterday:
The outburst could signal a new breakup of fragment B, which brightens as fresh veins of ice and dust are exposed to sunlight. If so, the pair may soon be a triple--or more.
Fragment B is shining like a 9th magnitude star, which makes it an easy target for backyard telescopes. Look for it in the constellation Corona Borealis an hour or so after sunset. The view will only improve in the weeks ahead as 73P approaches Earth for a close encounter in mid-May: full story.
Sky maps: April 26, April 27, April 28, April 29.
BIG SUNSPOT: Sunspot 875 has a twisted, complex magnetic field that harbors energy for strong solar flares. So far the spot has not erupted. If you have a solar telescope, keep an eye on this region; things could change in a hurry.
Above: Sunspot 875 on April 25th. "This new spot is showing a lot of activity," says photographer Andreas Murner of Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria, Germany.
more images: from Robert Arnold on the Isle of Skye, Scotland; from Ralf Vandebergh in the Netherlands; from John C McConnell of Maghaberry, Northern Ireland; from Tom Masterson of Ferndale, Washington; from Peter Paice of Belfast, Northern Ireland;