The Sun strikes again

On Sale Now!

		The June 2013 issue of Astronomy Now is on sale! Order direct from our store (free 1st class post & to UK addresses). The Astronomy Now iPad/iPhone editions are now available worldwide in the iTunes store.

Top Stories

		Earthshine used to test life detection method ...By imagining the Earth as an exoplanet, scientists observing our planet's reflected light on the Moon with ESO's Very Large Telescope have demonstrated a way to detect life on other worlds... READ MORE Solid buckyballs discovered in space ...Astronomers using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope have detected a particular type of molecule, given the nickname “buckyball”, in a solid form for the first time... READ MORE Steamy water-world gets the Hubble treatment ...Hubble Space Telescope observations of a 7 Earth-mass planet find an unusual water-rich world swathed in a thick, steamy atmosphere... READ MORE

The Sun strikes again
DR EMILY BALDWIN
ASTRONOMY NOW
Posted: 10 August 2010

The Earth's magnetosphere could receive a glancing blow from an M-Class flare that erupted from the Sun on 7 August, possibly lighting up the skies with aurora again tonight or tomorrow.

The Sun today. A new sunspot is emerging on the left limb in this image. Sunspot 1093 is now in the centre of the disc. Image: SOHO (ESA & NASA).

M-class flares rate as 'medium-sized' and have the potential to cause brief radio blackouts in Earth's polar regions. This particular flare produced intense radio bursts strong enough to be picked up in receivers on Earth.

The flare erupted at 1825 UT on 7 August from sunspot 1093 and was observed by various spacecraft. The latest data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) show that part of the coronal mass ejection (CME) is headed our way, and may interact with the Earth's magnetosphere more strongly than first imagined.

Related stories:
3 August Solar blast heads for Earth
4 August Get ready for a second blast

Infinity Rising

This special publication features the photography of British astro-imager Nik Szymanek and covers a range of photographic methods from basic to advanced. Beautiful pictures of the night sky can be obtained with a simple camera and tripod before tackling more difficult projects, such as guided astrophotography through the telescope and CCD imaging.

U.K. STORE

E.U. STORE

U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE

Hubble Reborn
Hubble Reborn takes the reader on a journey through the Universe with spectacular full-colour pictures of galaxies, nebulae, planets and stars as seen through Hubble's eyes, along the way telling the dramatic story of the space telescope, including interviews with key scientists and astronauts.
U.K. STORE
E.U. STORE
U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE

The Planets
From tiny Mercury to distant Neptune and Pluto, The Planets profiles each of the Solar System's members in depth, featuring the latest imagery from space missions. The tallest mountains, the deepest canyons, the strongest winds, raging atmospheric storms, terrain studded with craters and vast worlds of ice are just some of the sights you'll see on this 100-page tour of the planets.
U.K. STORE
E.U. STORE
U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE

3D Universe
Witness the most awesome sights of the Universe as they were meant to be seen in this 100-page extravaganza of planets, galaxies and star-scapes, all in 3D!
U.K. STORE
E.U. STORE
U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE

Mars rover poster

This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.

U.K. STORE

E.U. STORE

U.S. & WORLDWIDE STORE