RADIATION BELT STORM PROBES--DELAYED: The approach of Tropical Storm Isaac has prompted NASA to push the launch date of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes all the way back to Aug. 30th. This will give Isaac time to pass, so the probes can lift off into better weather. Once they leave Earth, the twin probes will undertake a 2-year mission to study the Van Allen Belts and unravel the mystery of their dangerous unpredictability. [Launch Blog]
NEIL ARMSTRONG (1930-2012): Former U.S. astronaut, Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, died yesterday at the age of 82. "Neil was among the greatest of American heroes - not just of his time, but of all time," said President Obama in a statement on Armstrong's passing. "Today, Neil's spirit of discovery lives on in all the men and women who have devoted their lives to exploring the unknown. That legacy will endure - sparked by a man who taught us the enormous power of one small step."
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who was with Armstrong on the Moon, had this to say: “I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Armstrong. Whenever I look at the moon it reminds me of the moment over four decades ago when I realized that even though we were farther away from earth than two humans had ever been, we were not alone. Virtually the entire world took that memorable journey with us. I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew. I had truly hoped that in 2019, we would be standing together along with our colleague Mike Collins to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our moon landing. Regrettably, this is not to be. Neil will most certainly be there with us in spirit."
News reports: #1, #2, #3; Apollo 11 Retrospective: Wide Awake in the Sea of Tranquillity
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
TWILIGHT MIX: Sky watchers around the Arctic Circle are noticing a mix of colors at sunset that they haven't seen in a while: twilight blue plus aurora green. As summer comes to an end and the midnight sun sets, the Northern Lights are back. Nenne Åman sends this picture taken last "night" from the Arjeplog Lapland of northern Sweden:
"The first auroras of the season are always something special," says Åman. "Even if it's not very strong it makes the heart goes wild! That's how it was last night."
NOAA forecasters estimate a 35% chance of more Arctic auroras on August 26 in response to a high-speed solar wind stream. "The aurora-hunting season of 2012/13 has begun," says Åman. Aurora alerts: text, phone.
Solar wind
speed: 519.2 km/sec
density: 0.1 protons/cm3
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1454 UT
X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B5 0918 UT Aug26
24-hr: B5 0918 UT Aug26
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 1400 UT
Daily Sun: 26 Aug 12
A new sunspot is emerging at the circled location. Credit: SDO/HMI
Sunspot number: 70
What is the sunspot number?
Updated 25 Aug 2012
Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 0 days
2012 total: 0 days (0%)
2011 total: 2 days (<1%)
2010 total: 51 days (14%)
2009 total: 260 days (71%)
Since 2004: 821 days
Typical Solar Min: 486 days
Update 25 Aug 2012
The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 104 sfu
explanation | more data
Updated 25 Aug 2012
Current Auroral Oval:
Switch to: Europe, USA, New Zealand, Antarctica
Credit: NOAA/POES
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet
explanation | more data
Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 8.0 nT
Bz: 2.6 nT north
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 1455 UT
Coronal Holes: 25 Aug 12
A stream of solar wind flowing from the indicated coronal hole should reach Earth on Aug. 26-27. Credit: SDO/AIA.
