Space Science News for March 22, 2000 The Earth's magnetosphere is being buffeted by high-speed solar wind particles from a coronal hole straddling the center of the Sun's disk. The solar wind velocity has increased from 350 to 600 km/s during the past 12 hours. Follow the action at http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com MORE SPACE SCIENCE NEWS: #1 Curiouser and Curiouser: The exotic world of gamma-ray astronomy has taken yet another surprising turn with the revelation that half the previously unidentified high-energy gamma ray sources in our own galaxy actually comprise a new class of mysterious objects. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast23mar_1m.htm Curiouser and Curiouser #2 Solar Cycle Update: Is the real Y2K problem just starting? The solar cycle appears to be on schedule for a peak in mid-2000. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast22mar_1m.htm Solar Cycle Update

Space Science News for March 24, 2000 The Compton Gamma-ray Observatory is destined for a watery grave in the remote Pacific on June 3, 2000. At a press conference today, NASA officials cited human safety concerns in explaining their decision to de-orbit the satellite, which has revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos during a highly successful 9 year mission. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast25mar_1m.htm Farewell Compton MORE NEWS: The RADAR Cop in Space -- NASA's IMAGE satellite scheduled for launch on March 25 will revolutionize our understanding of Earth's magnetosphere and improve space weather forecasting. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast24mar_1m.htm The RADAR Caop in Space

SPACE WEATHER NEWS: On March 25, 2000, a solar flare erupted near the center of the Sun's disk. It appears that a coronal mass ejection was launched toward Earth. An interplanetary shock wave could pass our planet during the next 24 to 48 hours, triggering moderate geomagnetic activity and aurorae. For more information and daily updates please visit http://www.spaceweather.com . SpaceWeather.com

NASA Science News for March 29, 2000 With the discovery of extrasolar planets smaller than Saturn, astronomers are increasingly convinced that other stars harbor planetary systems like our own. FULL STORY at http://www.spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast30mar_1.htm Planet Hunters on Safari

Space Weather News for March 29-30, 2000 Aurora Watch: Skywatchers in northern Europe, Canada, Alaska, and the northermost tier of US states could be treated to a display of aurora borealis tonight thanks to elevated levels of geomagnetic activity late in the day on March 29. Also today, the SOHO spacecraft captured beautiful images of a full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun. Full-halo CMEs are massive bubbles of hot gas headed either directly toward or away from Earth. This one appears to have erupted on the back side of the Sun and is proceeding away from our planet. Details on both are available at http://www.spaceweather.com

NASA Science News for March 30, 2000 Next Thursday, April 6, three planets and the thin crescent Moon are going to put on a memorable sky show when the quartet converge inside a circle 9 degrees across. The grouping is just the prelude to a grander alignment of planets on May 5, 2000. Is doom at hand, as many mystics assert? Find out by reading the FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast30mar_1m.htm Planets for Dessert Also, for kids and kids-at-heart, a younger person's version of this article is available at the NASA Kids web site: http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/news/2000/news-planetalign.asp?se The Planets Line Up

Propagation Report from ARRL Geomagnetic indices did rise last Friday, the day before the contest, but even then the planetary K index rose only briefly to 4. On Saturday and Sunday the planetary K index was mostly 1 or 2, and during one period was even 0. What is really interesting is that the College K index, measured in Alaska where the geomagnetic activity is higher due to proximity to the polar region, was actually 0 over six 3 hour periods on Saturday and Sunday. Solar flux and sunspot numbers were higher this week than last, with average sunspot numbers up 54 points and average solar flux rising several points. Solar flux actually peaked for the short term during the previous week on March 22, when the noon reading at Penticton was 233.8 and the reading two hours later was 235.6. The low for week was Tuesday, when solar flux was 200.9. It may go lower this weekend, if solar flux this Sunday goes below 200. The predicted solar flux for the next five days, Friday through Tuesday, is 205, 200, 195, 205 and 210. Flux values may again dip below 200 around April 10-16, then peak near 250 around April 22 or 23. Possible days of geomagnetic upset, based on the solar rotation are April 18 and 19 and April 28. MSNBC ran another story this week on the so-called solar heartbeat. You can see the article at http://www.msnbc.com/news/389042.asp, which explains a theory concerning how layers of gas rotating at different speeds may affect the formation of sunspots and solar flares. MSNBC also ran a story about a new solar satellite that was launched last Saturday. Called IMAGE, or Imager for Magnetosphere-to-Aural Global Exploration, it will be used to study the relationship between solar wind and the earth's magnetosphere. It will deploy four wire antennas that are each 820 feet long, making it the longest artificial object in space. Read about it at http://www.msnbc.com/news/386647.asp?0a=235A162. NASA also ran a story on the IMAGE at http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast27mar_1m.htm. Sunspot numbers for March 23 through 29 were 236, 230, 243, 255, 227, 232 and 238 with a mean of 237.3. 10.7 cm flux was 224.1, 218.9, 205.1, 211.3, 204.9, 200.9 and 208.8, with a mean of 210.6, and estimated planetary A indices were 11, 10, 8, 5, 5, 5 and 9, with a mean of 7.6.

NASA Science News for April 1, 2000 On April Fools Day, 2000, NASA researchers are questioning the fate of five high-flying sweet treats that disappeared after a meteor balloon flight in April 1999. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast01apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 3, 2000 Like blood pulsing in an artery, newly discovered currents of gas beat deep inside the Sun, speeding and slackening every 16 months. The solar "heartbeat" throbs in the same region of the Sun suspected of driving the 11-year cycle of solar eruptions. Scientists are hopeful that this pulse can help them unravel the origin and operation of the solar cycle. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast03apr_1m.htm

Space Weather News for April 4-5, 2000 The interplanetary magnetic field in the vicinity of Earth turned southward on April 4. This condition often creates a weak point in our planet's magnetospheric shielding against the solar wind. Geomagnetic activity is currently high. If active conditions continue, observers in northern Europe, Canada, Alaska and the northern tier of US states could be in for a display of aurora borealis around local midnight on April 5 (when April 4 turns into April 5). The Moon is just one day past New, meaning that even very faint Northern Lights could be visible against tonight's dark skies. For more information see: http://www.spaceweather.com

NASA Science News for April 5, 2000 The Boulder sunspot number exceeded 300 this week as the sunspot cycle continued its march toward Solar Max. Do these high sunspot counts mean that the solar maximum will be bigger than expected? Find out the answer by reading the FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast05apr_1m.htm REMINDER: On April 6, 2000, the Moon, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn will put on a beautiful after-dinner sky show. DETAILS at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast30mar_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 6, 2000 During an unplanned rendezvous, the Ulysses spacecraft found itself gliding though the immense tail of Comet Hyakutake, revealing that comet tails may be much, much longer than previously believed. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast06apr_2.htm

Space Science News - April 6, 2000 An interplanetary shock front passed NASA's ACE spacecraft around 1630 UT on April 6, 2000, abruptly raising the solar wind velocity from 375 to nearly 600 km/s. Usually such disturbances arrive at Earth about one hour after they pass ACE. Aurorae at middle latitudes could be in the offing tonight. Follow this developing story at http://www.spaceweather.com.

NASA Science News for April 7, 2000 Subject: Geomagnetic Storm A major geomagnetic storm hit our planet on Thursday after an interplanetary shock wave passed by Earth on April 6, 2000. Displays of aurora borealis were spotted in Europe, Asia, Canada, Alaska and in the continental US as far south as North Carolina. The storm appears to be subsiding, but forecasters note that more aurorae might be visible Friday night. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast07apr_2m.htm

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 14 April 7, 2000 The sunspot number took a big leap this week, rising to 301 on Sunday. It has not been this high since November 12 of last year, when it was 324. Two days prior on November 10 meters the solar flux was 343, which is still the record for this cycle. The average sunspot count for the week was only up about 8 points though, and average solar flux was about the same as last week. Solar flux is a measurement of 2.8 GHz energy from the sun, measured at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory operated by the National Research Council Canada in Penticton, British Columbia. You can visit the observatory web site at http://www.drao.nrc.ca/. Sunspot numbers are calculated by multiplying the number of visible sunspot groups by 10, and adding the number of individual spots in all the groups. A multiplication factor is also used, and it differs for each observatory. You can see a complete explanation for sunspot numbers and their derivation at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast05apr_1m.htm. Geomagnetic indices have been high this week, with the average planetary A index almost double last week's number. The A index was in double-digits every day, with April 4 being the most disturbed. The planetary A index was 21, with planetary K indices as high as 5, and the mid-latitude index at 6 during the same period. Coming up on Saturday and Sunday is the HF CW weekend for the Japan International DX Contest. Unfortunately, as this bulletin is being written on Thursday night, a major geomagnetic storm is raging. An interplanetary shock wave passed earth at 1730z on April 6, and Aurora have been spotted in North America as far south as North Carolina. The planetary K index for the end of thez day on Thursday was 8, and the A index was 56. The Boulder K index at 0300z on Friday is also 8. A severe geomagnetic storm began at 0100z on April 7. For the next five days, Friday through Tuesday, the expected planetary A index is 30, 20, 15, 10 and 7. The predicted solar flux for the same five days is 175, 180, 180, 175 and 170. Solar flux is expected to rise above 200 again around April 14 and stay there well into the month of May. Sunspot numbers for March 30 through April 5 were 225, 248, 287, 301, 252, 184 and 221 with a mean of 245.4. 10.7 cm flux was 205.5, 225.4, 222.9, 219.3, 215.4, 206.7 and 194.4, with a mean of 212.8, and estimated planetary A indices were 10 meters, 19, 14, 16, 12, 21 and 12, with a mean of 14.9.

NASA Science News for April 10, 2000 On the heels of NASA's 7th annual Great Moonbuggy Race, engineers from the Apollo program discuss the challenges of building the original Lunar Rover. This story includes RealVideo of one of the original rovers in action on the Moon. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast10apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 11, 2000 Where's the Edge?: Will humans always be confined to the Solar System? Not if NASA's Advanced Space Transportation Program has a say in the matter! Find out how scientists are working to turn science fiction into standard practise with new and innovative ways to reach the stars. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast11apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 12, 2000 A group of volunteer scientists is converging on Huntsville for an out-of-this-world meeting -- the High Energy Astrophysics Workshop for Amateur Astronomers. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 14, 2000 The sled dogs of California's Eastern Sierra are unhappy. Why? A persistent La Ni�a condition in the Pacific has left the mountain range with less than its usual supply of snow. As data continue to flow in from Earth orbit, NASA scientists are working to understand how El Ni�o and La Ni�a affect our global climate. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast14apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 17, 2000 NASA's Cassini spacecraft, currently en route to Saturn, has successfully completed its passage through our solar system's asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. FULL STORY at http://www.spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast17apr_3.htm

NASA Science News for April 18, 2000 April's Lyrid Meteor Shower: The oldest known meteor shower peaks on the morning of April 22. Bright moonlight will reduce the number of shooting stars that are easy to see, but many meteor enthusiasts will be watching anyway because it's been over 3 months since the last major meteor display. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast18apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 21, 2000 Amateur astronomers attended a unique meeting in mid-April to learn about high-energy astrophysics and how they can participate in it. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast21apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 24, 2000 Like an excited kid hoping to snag a fly ball at a professional baseball game, NASA's Stardust spacecraft has extended its high-tech "catcher's mitt" to collect a valuable space souvenir -- a batch of interstellar dust particles. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast24apr_1.htm

NASA Science News for April 25, 2000 Stargazers around the globe were treated to an unexpected and rare display of red-colored aurora on April 6-7, 2000, after a vigorous interplanetary shock wave passed by Earth. This story includes a gallery of more than 40 images showing the aurora borealis from Europe and over parts of the United States as far south as Florida. FULL STORY at http://www.spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast25apr_1m.htm

NASA Science News for April 26, 2000 Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, a team of scientists has attacked one of astronomy's oldest and thorniest problems, determining the distance to a cosmic object. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast26apr_1m.htm

EXPLODING STAR FEATURED ON WEB SITE Wednesday, April 26, 2000 16:04 A spectacular view of an exploding star was released today on a new web site launched to mark the Hubble Space Telescope's 10th year in orbit. The multi-coloured fireball, some 6,500 light years from Earth in the constellation Aquila, looks like a giant eye in space. A few thousand years ago a dying star about the same size as the Sun erupted and threw off its outer layers to create the "planetary nebula" NGC 6751. Shells of gas were hurled into space at speeds of 25 miles per second, glowing with the strong ultra-violet radiation emitted by the star's hot exposed core. The celestial cataclysm offers a sobering vision of what is in store for us. Our own Sun is predicted to undergo the same death throes in about six billion years' time. When it happens nothing in the Solar System, including the Earth, will escape destruction. The image is one of a number of dramatic pictures now available on the new Internet site http://hubble.stsci.edu Others include infant galaxies that existed billions of years ago, and tall, gaseous pillars that serve as incubators for embryonic stars. NGC 6751 shows several poorly understood features. Blue regions mark the hottest glowing gas, forming a ring around the central stellar remnant. Orange and red colours mark the locations of cooler gas, which tends to lie in long streamers pointing away from the central star, and in a tattered ring around the edge of the nebula. The origin of the cooler clouds within the nebula is still uncertain, but the streamers are evidence that they are affected by radiation and raging winds from the hot star at the centre. The star's surface temperature is estimated to be a scorching 140,000C. Hubble will be decommissioned in 2010 and replaced by the even more powerful Next Generation Space Telescope. � Press Association Thanks for this, Maggie*

NASA Science News for April 27, 2000 An international team of cosmologists has released the first detailed images of the universe in its infancy. Analysis of the images is already shedding light on some of cosmology's outstanding mysteries -- the nature of the matter and energy that dominate intergalactic space and whether space is "curved" or "flat." FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast27apr_1.htm

NASA Science News for April 28, 2000 NASA scientists are working to solve the need for computer speed using light itself to accelerate calculations and increase data bandwidth. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast28apr_1m.htm

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 17 - April 28, 2000 Sunspots and solar flux were up this week. The average sunspot number was up over 40 points and average solar flux rose over 30 points over the past week. Geomagnetic indices have been mostly quiet, with April 24 the most active day. Last week's bulletin ARLP016 said that the solar flux should be up around 220 this weekend, but conditions are not cooperating. Although activity has been higher this week than last, it is not as high as expected. Solar flux is expected to hover around 175 to 185 until April 8, then dip below 170, and rise to around 200 from May 19 through 28. The planetary A index prediction indicates unsettled conditions for Friday. The A index should stay quiet from this weekend until May 6 and 7, when it may rise to 15. Predicted solar flux for the next five days, Friday through Tuesday is 180, 175, 175, 180 and 180. Sunspot numbers for April 20 through 26 were 179, 211, 226, 252, 222, 229 and 197 with a mean of 216.6. 10.7 cm flux was 180.6, 187.3, 201.8, 206.1, 205.6, 202.5 and 189.9, with a mean of 196.3, and estimated planetary A indices were 14, 10, 7, 8, 21, 6 and 4, with a mean of 10.

NASA Science News for May 1, 2000 One year ago this week killer tornadoes raged across Oklahoma. Now, NASA scientists are figuring out how to predict such storms using lightning data from Earth-orbit. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast01may_1m.htm

Space Weather News for May 1, 2000 A coronal mass ejection (CME) from a small sunspot group was recorded by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory on April 30, 2000. If material from the eruption is heading toward Earth, as animations of the CME suggest, then the shock wave will probably arrive late on May 2nd or sometime on May 3rd. Forecasters estimate a 30% chance of active geomagnetic conditions at middle-latitudes on May 3, 2000. For more information, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Since no one apparently cares to read about this in News I ave created a new topic in Geo for it. Too bad I could not telnet and link the two of them together. But, that is the way it is, and no one seems willing to do it for me. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/Geo/33/new

I'll do it ! Just email me or ask. In the instructions say "link news topic 21 to science" or whatever it is.

Please link this topic to Geo... I am most grateful. If you want to link it to science that is ok, too, but too many duplicates mess up my hot list! Mahalo plenty!

Linkage complete.

*Big Hugs* Mahalo!

NASA Science News for May 2, 2000 The eta Aquarid meteor shower, caused by bits of debris from Halley's Comet, will peak on May 5-6, 2000. Lunar observers will be watching the Moon on the nights after the shower for possible signs of meteorite impacts. FULL STORY at http://www.spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast02may_1.htm

I couldn't see this posted elsewhere, sorry if i've duplicated, I only just picked it up. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20000413/sc/space_quasar.html Astronomers Spot Most Distant Quasar Ever Observed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Astronomers peering across the universe have spotted the most distant object ever observed, a quasar 26 billion light-years away, researchers said on Thursday. This quasar, confirmed as the most faraway object by scientists working with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, probably started sending its light in Earth's direction when the universe was less than a billion years old, the researchers said in a statement. The universe is thought to be about 14 billion years old now, give or take a couple billion years. And it has been expanding since the theoretical Big Bang that started it all. Quasars are extremely bright but extremely compact objects thought to be powered by matter-sucking black holes as massive as a billion suns. Michael Turner, a spokesman for the Survey at the University of Chicago, said this means that the quasar is about 26 billion light-years away now, but because of the expansion of the universe, it used to be a lot closer. ``When it emitted the light, it was only about 4 billion light-years from the space in the universe where Earth would be eventually,'' Turner said in a telephone interview. ``It's only when we talk about the most distant objects that we have to take the expansion of he universe into account.'' A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, about 6 trillion miles. Another way to think about cosmic distances and ages is to determine how bent the light gets as the universe expands. The more bent it gets to the red end of the spectrum, the older the object is determined to be. This is known as redshift. This newly observed object has a redshift of 5.8, the highest ever measured. It is in fact too red to be seen by the human eye, even with the most sophisticated equipment. But it was observed through data gathered by the Sky Survey last month, and scientists confirmed its distance last week. An image of the distant quasar can be viewed on the World Wide Web at http://www.sdss.org.

Interesting. I wonder if it is the same things as the Keck found a couple of weeks ago. I shall hunt it up and see. Thanks, Maggie!

A suggestion - please! We post articles and comments of length in Geo 24 for space stuff and this should just be for posting the news releases. Does that sound ok?

NASA Science News for May 3, 2000 A team of explorers including astrobiologist Richard Hoover and astronauts Jim Lovell and Owen Garriott traveled to Antarctica in January 2000 to search for meteorites and extreme-loving microbes. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast03may_1m.htm

The gps devices just got accurate down to 5 to 10 feet or better. A friend says he can see when he changes lanes on his now!

GPS stuff has gotten very sophisticated with an enormous constellation of satellites tracking your every move. Great stuff! That is the next thing on my son's wish list - he has installed ground monitors on Kilauea to check for movement in the surface (Supposedly, the entire seaward flank of Kilauea is gonna break off and we will all be dead from the terific tsunami generated thereby!)

Will you let us know when the tsunami heads this way so we can climb up onto some hills?

If you get a tsunami, I shall call you live and direct as you are fleeing! Count on it - and you'd better take my buddy with you *grin* You are both crucial to my well-being! (You gotta see this wallpaper on a good monitor! It is gorgeous! Hope he likes it, as well...)

Thursday's Classroom for May 4, 2000 The Amazing Moon Buggy + Planetary Alignment lessons This week, Thursday's Classroom takes a wild ride on the original interplanetary Sport Utility Vehicle: the amazing Apollo Moon Buggy. Students will tap their toes to the beat of the "Moon Buggy Boogie," play a stimulating game of "Lunar Rover Lunacy," covert measurements from English to metric units in "Moon Math," and more... Please visit: http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com Thursday's Classroom Also, a note for recent subscribers: The March 30, 2000, episode of Thursday's Classroom features lessons and activities related to the May 5, 2000, planetary alignment. See: http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com/index_30mar00.html Planetary Alignments

NASA Science News for May 4, 2000 Interplanetary Low Tide Tidal forces on Earth caused by other planets in the solar system will be at a low point this week when Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn "line up" on the far side of the Sun. The alignment won't be visible to the naked-eye, but there will be a meteor shower that could produce a nice sky show. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast04may_1m.htm Interplanetary Low Tide See also: http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast02may_1.htm 5/5/2000: The Meteor Shower

Three Planets and a Coronal Mass Ejection Space Weather News for May 4, 2000 The planets Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn have entered the field of view of instruments on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory as they approach the Sun for Friday's much-touted conjunction. Animations of this rare event include two coronal mass ejections with three planets in the background. For more information, please see http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 18 - May 5, 2000 It seems odd to view the solar disk at the peak of the solar cycle and see few sunspots, but that was the case this week. Solar flux, a measure of 2.8 GHz energy from the sun which correlates roughly with sunspots and the ionization of the particles which reflect HF radio waves, were down sharply this week. On Thursday, when this bulletin was written, the thrice daily solar flux numbers were 133, 134.5 and 134.7. Solar flux has not been this low since January. Average solar flux for this week dropped over thirty points, and average sunspot numbers were down over seventy points, when compared to the previous week. Geomagnetic conditions were fairly unsettled as well, with planetary A indices in the double-digits throughout the week, and K indices often as high as 4. There weren't any severe geomagnetic storms, but geomagnetic conditions were rarely quiet. Looking at monthly trends, the average monthly solar flux for January through April was 159, 174.1, 208.2 and 184.2. The lower activity should continue for the next few days. Predicted solar flux for Friday, May 5 through the following Tuesday is 130, 130, 135, 145 and 150. The predicted planetary A index for those days is 10, 15, 12, 10 and 10. KA5WQM wrote to remark on poor 10 meter conditions. He said that in central Oklahoma the band has been unusable since last Thursday. There are a couple of influences to consider. One is the season. Ten meters is much better right around the equinox, and we are moving every day closer to summer conditions when occasional short skip via sporadic E-layer propagation will be the norm. Of course the other factor is the lower sunspot activity and solar flux. Doing a path projection from Oklahoma to Hawaii with a solar flux of 230, there is a good bet for strong openings on 10 meters from 1800 to 2230z. Lower the solar flux to 170, and the period in which strong signals are likely over that path shrinks to 1930 to 2130z. With the solar flux at 130, communication is possible, but strong openings are much less likely. During this month 15 meters should be far better for long distance HF communications than 10. Sunspot numbers for April 27 through May 3 were 163, 238, 142, 126, 121, 108 and 113 with a mean of 144.4. 10.7 cm flux was 183.5, 183.4, 174.9, 169.5, 157.7, 152.8 and 137.3, with a mean of 165.6, and estimated planetary A indices were 13, 17, 12, 11, 14, 18 and 15, with a mean of 14.3.

Space Weather News for May 6, 2000 The wide field coronagraph on board the orbiting Solar and Heliospheric Observatory recorded a series of dazzling coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on May 5, 2000, with Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn in the background. These eruptions apparently came from active sunspot groups that are just over the Sun's western limb. CMEs like these, seen in profile, are unusually beautiful. This weekend the visible disk of the Sun is remarkably devoid of large sunspots as we approach the peak of the sunspot cycle in mid-2000. For more information and images please visit: http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

NASA Science News for May 8, 2000 NASA astronomers have collected the first-ever radar images of a "main belt" asteroid. It's a metallic, dog bone-shaped rock the size of New Jersey, an apparent leftover from an ancient, violent cosmic collision. The asteroid, named 216 Kleopatra, was discovered in 1880, but until now, its shape was unknown. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast08may_1.htm An Asteroid goes to the Dogs

I saw it, it does look like a giant dog bone.

Yup! Like the North American Nebula looks like its name, and the Owl Nebula and other goodies up there! Thanks for looking!

NASA Science News for May 9, 2000 The Sun appeared nearly featureless this weekend as the sunspot area dropped 10 times below its average value. Nevertheless, scientists say Solar Max is still on the way. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast09may_1m.htm Solar Ups and Downs

NASA Science News for May 11, 2000 Images made by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory show for the first time the full impact of the actual blast wave from Supernova 1987A. The observations are the first time that X-rays from a shock wave have been imaged at such an early stage of a supernova explosion. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast11may_1m.htm Impact! Chandra images a young supernova blast wave

Space Weather News for May 11, 2000 Material from a coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on May 8 is expected to pass by our planet late on May 11 or early May 12. Depending on the characteristics of the magnetic field within the disturbance, it could trigger minor geomagnetic storms on Earth. There is a slim chance of aurorae at mid-latitudes, but auroral activity will more likely be concentrated over high latitude regions including northern Europe, Canada and Alaska. Visit http://www.spaceweather.com for more information and updates. SpaceWeather.com ---

NASA Science News for May 12, 2000 NASA scientists have discovered unexpected spiral-shaped flames on Earth. By studying these peculiar flames, researchers hope to mitigate fire hazards on spacecraft and gain new insights about complex systems in nature. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast12may_1.htm Not Just Another Old Flame

NASA Science News for May 15, 2000 A black hole binary star system called XTE J1550-564 has recently become one of the brightest sources in the x-ray sky. Astronomers are fascinated by fluctuations in the x-ray emission from this source, which if converted to sound waves would feel like the deep rumbling vibrations from a bass speaker at a rock 'n roll concert. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast15may_1m.htm The Humming Black Hole

Aurora Watching The Sun is currently entering a peak of storminess, part of a cycle that lasts 11 years. This causes a stronger "solar wind," which is a constant stream of charged particles. When these particles hit the Earth's magnetic field, the interaction releases visible light, which we in the north know as the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights (there's the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, Down Under). During these storm peaks, the spectacular auroras can be visible much further south than usual. You can learn more about auroras, check out the space weather forecast, and download aurora videos at http://www.sec.noaa.gov/ Click here to learn more about auroras. http://dac3.pfrr.alaska.edu/~pfrr/AURORA/INDEX.HTM

NASA Science News for May 16, 2000 The planets Venus and Jupiter will pass less than 42 arcseconds apart on May 17. Because the pair is so close to the Sun, only the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory will have a good view of the close encounter, which is similar to the "Christmas Star" conjunction of 2 BC. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast16may_1.htm?list A Christmas Star for SOHO

Full Halo Coronal Mass Ejection Space Weather News for May 16, 2000 On May 15 a coronagraph on the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory captured rare images of a full halo coronal mass ejection with 4 planets and the Pleiades in the field of view. Material from the eruption could arrive in the neighborhood of Earth on May 17 or 18. For more information and animations, visit http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

Students take control of a prototype Mars Rover NASA Science News for May 17, 2000 Students from around the country will take control of a prototype Mars rover named FIDO as it explores a western Nevada desert. The FIDO rover is a testbed for future missions, including the proposed Mars Mobile Lander that is currently under study for a possible launch in 2003. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast17may_1.htm?list Heel, FIDO, Heel!

Gravitational Lenses The hallmark of a scientific theory is that it makes predictions about the real world that can be tested. Interestingly, Einstein's theory of general relativity posed major problems for verification: The differences it predicted from Newton's laws were so small they were extremely difficult to measure -- especially with the technology available in the early part of the twentieth century. One prediction that could be checked concerned a gravitational field's ability to bend light rays, a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. Sir Arthur Eddington used a solar eclipse in 1919 to test the theory. He looked at the position of a distant star in line with the edge of the sun during the eclipse (allowing it to be observed in the daytime). It appeared to be shifted 1.75 arc seconds from its actual place in the sky. The gravitational field of the sun was bending the light arriving from that star, providing an early confirmation of Einstein's theory.

To Be or Not to Be, La Nina? NASA Science News for May 18, 2000 Just last month, scientists were predicting that current La Ni�a conditions would persist, but now data from Earth-orbiting satellites show that it may be on the decline. Is it too soon to revise the 2000 hurricane forecast? FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast18may_1m.htm To Be or Not to Be, La Ni�a?

I could not resist posting this image. The solar coronal outburst framed the items you can see listed behind the solar image. Quite extraordinary! Why were conditions so rough on HF? Noise can get very high, especially here in the Pacific North West. Signals get weaker than normal on some bands, and deep fades occur. Why? CME -- that's why. What's a CME? A coronal mass ejection is a huge (like, larger than earth... or bigger!) gas bubble threaded with magnetic field lines. This bubble is ejected from the Sun. This ejection of gas lasts for several hours, and if it is directed toward the earth, can result in a very high energy bombardment into our atmosphere and ionosphere. And our Geomagnetic field becomes very active. A highly active Geomagnetic field degrades radio communications http://hfradio.org/propagation.html#CME1

Great Ganymede! NASA Science News for May 19, 2000 This weekend NASA's Galileo spacecraft will pass 808 km above the surface of our solar system's largest moon, Ganymede. The spacecraft will hunt for signs of mysterious "cryptovolcanoes" and collect new data on Ganymede's unique magnetic field. This story includes plasma wave audio sounds from Ganymede's magnetosphere recorded during a previous flyby. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast19may_1.htm Great Ganymede! __

The Secret Lives of Alien Volcanoes NASA Science News for May 19, 2000 The latest images of Io from NASA's Galileo spacecraft reveal a bizarre world of hot volcanoes, sulfurous snowfields, and slip-sliding mountains. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast19may_2.htm?list The Secret Lives of Alien Volcanoes

Here's some more info on "dark matter". http://dmtelescope.org http://www.bell-labs.com/org/physicalsciences/projects/darkmatter/darkmatter.html

Ooh - good stuff to read on a dark Friday night. But, I am stuck with the W3.1 laptop because my newly installed norton antivirus has frozen the entire computer and everytime it come time to boot the task bar it shuts it down again. and we scandisk and try again with the same results. Now, what do I do?

Yikes, NORTON is hanging your system? I know you mentioned that McAfee caused problems, but I'm surprised about Norton. There's a way to boot the computer up in "windows safe mode", so you can uninstall whatever is causing problems...let me go look it up.

OK, here's the info from my Windows 95 guide (the one distributed with new PCs). 1. Restart your computer. 2. When you see the following text: "Starting Windows 95...", press and release the F8 function key. This should display a menu. 3. Type the number for the option you want (or select it with the down arrow key). I would try the "Safe mode" option, that boots Windows with a minimal configuration, and try uninstalling Norton. Hopefully you'll be able to boot the system normally after that. Then I'd call Norton to complain. Who needs an anti-virus program that causes more problems than an actual virus?? Good luck!

Good advice about booting in to Safe Mode. Sometimes this alone will fix some problems.

That's what I did - as I wrote in computer conf/virus topic, I think the problem might just be the factthat I enabled Norton to check all drives at startup. There is one imbedded (know how to rid of them?!) program which is the first to load on the task bar and that is precisely where the problem came and it would shut down completely each time. I slept on it and came up with the same idea as you did and you can see that it worked. I deleted the Norton but kept the zipped download so I can reinstall it if my conclusions are correct - and have it not examine the drives until everything is up and running. However, if it still has a problem with that particular program (which I never use - an internet connection which I do not prefer but NEC did...), it will continue to shut down my computer at every encounter?! Yes?

Someone even gave me a crutch I did not remember till just now...Your computer's FATE lies in F8. It is a good one to remember!

Radio JOVE -- NASA helps students tune in to radio bursts from Jupiter Jupiter is a source of powerful radio bursts that can produce exotic sounds on common ham radio receivers. NASA scientists are helping students tune in to the giant planet as part of an innovative educational program called Radio JOVE. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast22may_1.htm?list Radio JOVE

Do you know the name of the embedded program? If it's in your Startup folder, you should be able to delete it from the Startup folder to keep it from running. If it's not there, it might be in the win.ini or system.ini file; at least I think Windows 95/98 still has those files...they would be in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system directory. The only other place I can think of would be the Windows Registry, but you'd have to hunt through the Registry keys for it. There should be a Registry Editor program (regedit.exe or regedt32.exe) in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system directory. (I'm not sure exactly where it is on Windows 95/98, and I'm on and NT system right now.)

(Answered the above in The Software/Computer conference) Galileo swoops by the largest moon in the Solar System NASA Science News for May 23, 2000 On Saturday, May 20, 2000, NASA's Galileo spacecraft successfully flew past the largest moon in our solar system -- Ganymede, which orbits around Jupiter. Galileo dipped to 809 kilometers (503 miles) above the surface in the spacecraft's first flyby of Ganymede since May 7, 1997. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast23may_1.htm?list A Big Moon Close Up

Ginny, the really odd thing is that it does not show up in the taskbar remove/add nor in the start/startup folder... it is so exasperating!

NASA Science News for May 24, 2000 Crystal balls rarely have anything to do with science, but soon NASA researchers will be using a set of quartz spheres to examine one of the last, untested portions of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. The spheres make up four extraordinary gyroscopes heading for Earth orbit on board the Gravity Probe B mission in 2002 to measure the twisting and compression of space and time around our rotating planet. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast24may_1m.htm?list

NASA Science News for May 26, 2000 The pioneering space station concepts of the mid-1950's don't look much like the erector-set habitat in orbit today. Read about Werner von Braun's early designs for an outpost in space and how he advocated his ideas to the public 50 years ago. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast26may_1m.htm?l=NzMwMjk2IG1hcmNpQEFMT0hBLk5FVCBTTkdMSVNUIC66FwsfrRgz

What's the Matter with Antimatter? NASA Science News for May 29, 2000 Antimatter -- it may be the ultimate fuel for space travel, but right now it is fleeting, difficult to work with and measured in atoms instead of kilograms or pounds! In this two-part story we'll explore what antimatter is, and how it may be used for space propulsion. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast29may_1m.htm?list

Solar Activity Puffs Up Earth's Atmosphere NASA Science News for May 30, 2000 As a result of the approaching solar maximum, Earth's atmosphere is puffed up like a marshmallow over a campfire leading to extra drag on Earth-orbiting satellites. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast30may_1m.htm?list

Advanced Space Propulsion Workshop begins this week NASA Science News for May 31, 2000 Scientists and engineers are gathering in Pasadena today to discuss cutting-edge research in space transportation at a workshop sponsored by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast31may_1m.htm?list

Arctic Asteroid! NASA Science News for June 1, 2000 In January, 2000, a seven meter, 200 metric ton rock from space streaked across the skies of western Canada. The meteor was at least as bright as the Sun before it exploded over the Yukon Territory. Scientists have recovered fragments of the carbon-rich rock, which researchers say is the most valuable meteorite find in at least 30 years. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast01jun_1m.htm?list

Yukon Meteor Blast Thursday's Classroom for June 1, 2000 On January 18, 2000, a "small" 200 metric ton asteroid streaked across the skies of western Canada and exploded in the atmosphere. Now, scientists have recovered fragments of the space rock and discovered that they are members of a rare class of meteorites possibly containing amino acids and other organic compounds. In this week's episode of Thursday's Classroom, students can learn more about the Yukon meteor by attending a "Cosmic BBQ," calculating "Fractions of a Meteorite" and more. VISIT: http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com Thursday's Classroom: Yukon Meteor Blast

Mercury Rising -- see Mercury and the Moon this Saturday NASA Science News for June 2, 2000 There are two really good times to see Mercury this year and next week is one of them. Good Mercury-watching begins this Saturday evening, June 3, when a slender crescent Moon and the elusive planet appear together for stargazers just after sunset. Mercury's apparition as an evening star will continue through mid-June. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast02jun_1.htm?list

First Light for a Space Weather Satellite NASA Science News for June 5, 2000 NASA's IMAGE mission, a unique satellite dedicated to the study of space storms, has returned its first pictures of electrified gas surrounding our planet. Using antennas as large as the Empire State Building, IMAGE is taking an unprecedented look at Earth's magnetic environment and its response to fierce gusts of solar wind. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast05jun_1m.htm?list __

June's Invisible Meteors NASA Science News for June 6, 2000 During the next week thousands of meteors will streak through the sky, but don't expect to see many. They are the Arietids and zeta Perseids -- the most intense daytime meteor showers of the year. The best way for many meteor enthusiasts to enjoy the show is by listening to meteor echoes on a common FM or ham radio. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast06jun_1m.htm?list __

Solar activity report for 6/5/00 Region 9026 continues to produce M-class flares, and the A index increases. Sunspots : 132 SFI : 171 A index : 21 K index : 3 Conditions for the last 24 hours : Solar activity was moderate. The geomagnetic field was unsettled to active. Forecast for the next 24 hours : Solar activity will be moderate to high. The geomagnetic field will be unsettled to active. Solar activity forecast SOLAR ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED TO BE AT MODERATE TO HIGH LEVELS. REGION 9026 WILL LIKELY PRODUCE M-CLASS FLARES WITH AN ISOLATED CHANCE OF AN X-CLASS FLARE. Geomagnetic activity forecast : THE GEOMAGNETIC FIELD IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AT UNSETTLED TO ACTIVE CONDITIONS THROUGH DAY ONE. MOSTLY QUIET TO UNSETTLED LEVELS ARE EXPECTED ON DAY TWO. UNSETTLED WITH OCCASIONAL ACTIVE PERIODS ARE LIKELY ON DAY THREE DUE TO A FAVORABLY POSITIONED CORONAL HOLE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF EFFECTS FROM THIS MORNING'S C4/CME AT 05/0325Z.

The above post was from a Yahoo weather club of which I am a memeber. There is another club I'd like you to consider if you are logged into Yahoo, Jack and I would be happy for you to join the conversation going on in there. http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/seti2000

Here Comes the Sun! Space Weather News for June 6, 2000 An intense "X-class" solar flare today was followed by a full-halo coronal mass ejection. Material from the leading edge of the disturbance is expected to arrive on Thursday, June 8, with possible auroral displays to follow. For images and updates please visit http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

More Solar Eruptions on June 7, 2000 Space Weather News for June 7, 2000 Following close on the heels of yesterday's two X-class solar flares, a third powerful X-class flare erupted today at approximately 1545 UT. Soon afterward, coronagraphs on the orbiting Solar and Heliospheric Observatory detected a faint full halo coronal mass ejection. It appears to be heading in the direction of Earth at ~800 km/s. This latest full halo CME will probably extend the geomagnetic disturbances expected to begin on Thursday when an interplanetary shock wave spawned by a CME on June 6 collides with our planet's magnetosphere. Aurora watchers are advised to be on the alert for Northern Lights beginning after sunset on Thursday, June 8. For more information, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

Impact: An Interplanetary Shock Wave Passes Earth Space Weather News for June 8, 2000 A vigorous shock wave passed NASA's ACE solar wind monitoring spacecraft this morning at 0842 UT. Disturbances detected by ACE usually reach Earth about an hour later. This disturbance was the leading edge of a gigantic bubble of gas ejected from the Sun on June 6. It's been expanding toward our planet for the past day and a half. For more information and updates please visit http://www.spaceweather.com SpaceWeather.com

Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2000 16:40:9 Subject: Solar Storms A'brewing Thursday's Classroom for June 8, 2000 This morning an interplanetary shock wave hit Earth's magnetosphere triggering aurora over some parts of our planet. In this episode of Thursday's Classroom, students can learn more about space storms and aurora by calculating the speed of a coronal mass ejection, playing Sunspot Twister, or producing their own Space Weather report. For more information and activities, please visit http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com Thursday's Classroom

A Little Physics and A Lot of String NASA Science News for June 9, 2000 One day space tethers may be used for boosting orbits, powering satellites, and even sending payloads to the Moon or Mars -- all without the expense of conventional propellants. Scientists discussed this innovative technology at the recent Advanced Space Propulsion Workshop held in Pasadena, CA. FULL STORY at http://spacescience.com/headlines/y2000/ast09jun_1.htm?list __

From that article: "In one variant of a momentum-exchange tether, the faster-moving tether system grabs a slower-moving satellite in a lower orbit using a grapple at the end of a tether line between 20 and 200 kilometers long. After orbiting around the Earth once together, the rotating tether system tosses the satellite forward into a higher orbit, somewhat like a roller derby skater grabbing a teammate and slinging them forward. The first skater transfers some of their momentum to the second skater, leaving the first skater going slower afterward. Similarly, the tether system gives some of its momentum to the satellite, ending up in a lower orbit."

A friend made this comment in email this morning: They used to think about a tether attached to the surface of the earth with the outer end 100's of miles into space. Theoretically the outer end would have orbiting velocity. Objects could climb up the tether into orbit. The problem was the strength and weight of such a tether; probably impossible. These present suggested uses for tethers may be more practical.

A solar flare, a CME, and a solar wind disturbance -- all in one day! Space Weather News for June 10, 2000 The prolific flare-producing sunspot group #9026 unleashed another moderately strong solar flare today. The eruption was accompanied by a partial halo coronal mass ejection (CME) that might be Earth-directed. If so, material from the CME would arrive in the vicinity of our planet on June 12 or 13. A SOHO coronagraph animation of the event shows a beautiful billowing CME peppered by speckles and meteor-like streaks resulting from energetic particles hitting the spacecraft's camera. Earlier in the day, as predicted, a solar wind disturbance from a CME on June 7 struck Earth's magnetosphere. Active geomagnetic conditions were observed for about nine hours, but have since subsided. For more information and pictures, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2000 08:30:40 -0700 SFI=187 | A=24 | K=3 up from 2 at 1500 on 12 June. SAF: moderate, GMF: at quiet to minor storm levels Aurora Level: 4 Solar Wind: 469.6 km/s at 1.3 protons/cc More: http://hfradio.org/propagation.html