Space Weather News for August 30, 2003

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[webber]

Space Weather News for August 30, 2003

MARS: (Aug. 30th)

Mars is at perihelion, the end of its lopsided orbit closest to the sun (1.38 AU), which means the sun is beating down on the red planet with unusual intensity. Perihelion marks the beginning of dust storm season on Mars.

Why? Sun-warmed air moves. The wind picks up dust. And on Mars small clouds of dust sometimes expand and envelop the whole planet. These clouds are something for amateur astronomers to look for while they're watching Mars with their telescopes during the weeks ahead.

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AURORA OUTLOOK: Earth is heading for a solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole on the sun. Our first encounter with the stream could take place on Sept. 2nd, so that's when sky watchers should be alert for possible auroras.

Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates.

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[farmfriend]

space ping

[bd476]

It gives one humility and perspective to focus on the skies above. We may also learn something from it.

[Drammach]

Hopefully, we will be irradiated, resulting in Super-Powers.. ;oP

[RadioAstronomer]

Thanks for the ping. :-)

[petuniasevan]

Thanks for the ping.

New APOD coming up!