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MYSTERIOUS COSMIC
RAYS: An international team of researchers
has discovered a puzzling surplus of high-energy electrons bombarding
Earth from space. The source of these cosmic rays is unknown, but
it must be close to the solar system and it could be made of dark
matter: full
story.
AURORA WATCH:
On Nov. 9th, flying photographer Brian Whittaker was 35,000 feet
over the Arctic Circle when he looked out the window of his airplane
and saw this:
"For several hours I had experienced a good display of dynamic
green auroras," says Whittaker. "The best view was when
we neared the coast of Greenland. Snow-capped peaks and glaciers
were easily visible in the bright moonlight while auroras danced
overhead."
It's time to book another flight. On Nov. 24th or 25th, a solar
wind stream will hit Earth and probably spark a new round of Northern
Lights. High-latitude sky watchers should be
alert for auroras.
UPDATED: Nov.
2008 Aurora Gallery
[Previous Novembers: 2007,
2006, 2004,
2003, 2001,
2000]
INCREDIBLE SKY:
Imagine standing outside after dark, head inclined to the heavens,
watching two planets rush together on an apparent collision course--when
suddenly a massive spacecraft splits the sky. Incredible? Not at
all. It happened just last night to Justin
Cowart of Carbondale, Illinois:
Photo details: Nikon
D80, 155 second exposure, ISO 1000
"The ISS was a gleaming white color, almost as if it were
a spark of burning magnesium," says Cowart. "As the space
station ascended into Earth's shadow, the white became contaminated
with a coppery orange and then it turned a deep, angry red just
before disappearing completely in the vicinity of Deneb."
The ISS is making a series of evening flybys over North America
this week, appearing in the same part of the sky as converging planets
Venus and Jupiter. As incredible as Cowart's experience sounds,
lots of people are seeing the same thing. Could you
be next?
more images: from
Brian Emfinger of Ozark, Arkansas; from
Shannon Story of Weatherford, Texas; from
Robert Jeffers of Virginia Beach, Virginia; from
Becky Ramotowski at Route 66 Elementary School, Edgewood, New
Mexico;
Sky maps: Nov.
20, 21,
22, 23,
24, 25,
26, 27,
28, 29,
30, Dec
1.
UPDATED: Nov.
2008 Aurora Gallery
[Previous Novembers: 2007,
2006, 2004,
2003, 2001,
2000]
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