Space Weather News for April 5, 2010http://spaceweather.com
AMAZING LIFTOFF: This morning, space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral at the crack of dawn. Longtime shuttle watchers say it was one of the most remarkable launches of the 30-year program. Discovery resembled a comet arcing across the sky as sunrise rays played across the ship's icy exhaust, creating an artificial noctilucent cloud. Images and eyewitness accounts are featured on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.
GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A sharp gust of solar wind hit Earth's magnetosphere today, April 5th, at approximately 0800 UT and sparked the strongest geomagnetic storm of the year. The event registered 7 on the 0-to-9 Kindex scale of magnetic disturbances. Although the storm is subsiding now, it is not over; high-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Latest images may be found in the gallery: http://www.spaceweather.com/aurora/gallery_01apr10_page3.htm
Terri, Events Coordinator
Email: Events@PASAz.org
Phoenix Astronomical Society
