July 23 - Sun-Earth Connection, Meteors Coming!

[EarthSkyNewsLogo]( July 23 Sun-Earth Connection, Meteors Coming! by: [FaceBookShare]( [TwitterShare]( [color-instagram-96.png]( [color-link-96.png]( [Edit Block](#) [Duplicate Block](#) [Delete Block](#) We're at or near the peak of the 11-year solar cycle. The current cycle is called Solar Cycle 25. And - earlier today - an eruption occurred on the sun's far side. The Solar Orbiter spacecraft estimated the associated flare to be an [X14 flare]( That's a huge flare, bigger than any flare aimed Earthward in this solar cycle so far. Image via SOHO. [Read the sun news](. [Next solar cycle - Solar Cycle 26 - is already beginning]( We're about midway through Solar Cycle 25, probably at or near the cycle's peak. Now scientists say they've already detected the 1st rumblings of the sun's next 11-year solar cycle, via sound waves inside our home star. They can see a pattern showing [the start of Solar Cycle 26](. [Space storm alerts could shield Earth's tech]( Space storms could soon be forecasted with greater accuracy than ever before thanks to a big leap forward in our understanding of exactly when a violent solar eruption may hit Earth. Scientists said on Friday that it is now possible to predict the precise speed a coronal mass ejection ([CME]( is traveling at and when it will smash into our planet ... [even before it has fully erupted from the sun](. [The US cities most vulnerable to space weather]( Several cities in the United States have power grids particularly vulnerable to the threat of space weather. But experts are still trying to understand why. Researchers at the British Geological Survey found that certain regions of the U.S. are more at risk from storms that emanate from the sun. Washington, D.C. and Milwaukee are 2 of [the most vulnerable](. [What IS a planet? With Jean-Luc Margot]( If you missed yesterday's livestream with planetary astronomer Jean-Luc Margot - about his team's proposed new definition for the word "planet" - wow. You missed something really interesting! [See the replay here]( or, if you'd prefer, [read a transcript](. [Sea urchins are our colorful and resistant lifeform of the week]( Sea urchins have been around for some 200 million years! Their preservation in the fossil record is thanks to their mega-hard shells. And sea urchins are still considered animals despite their lack of brains or blood. [Read about sea urchins and see a video](. [EarthSky is a clear voice for science on YouTube ...]( Did you miss yesterday’s LIVESTREAM? It was a fascinating glimpse into the world of science! Astronomer [Jean-Luc Margot]( from Brussels explained why we might need a new definition for the word planet. If you haven’t yet joined our YouTube community, we invite you to watch and [subscribe to our channel today]( [Tomorrow morning ... Moon and Saturn]( Tomorrow morning's [waning]( moon will hang close to the golden planet Saturn. The bright star [Fomalhaut]( will shine nearby. Also, sky watchers in locations including Asia and Africa will see the moon pass in front of - or occult - Saturn around [21 UTC]( on June 24. [Watch a 1-minute video preview]( of the moon close to Saturn. For more sky events, [visit EarthSky’s night sky guide](. [It's nearly time for summer meteors!]( The best time of year for watching meteors is here! Join EarthSky's Deborah Byrd as she discusses the 2 primary showers at this time of year: the famous Perseids and the lesser-known Delta Aquariids. Both showers should be great in 2024. [Tips and more ... in this 2-minute video](. Prefer to read? [Our meteor shower guide is here](. [Submit your photo to EarthSky here!]( Subscribe & Support Did a friend forward EarthSkyNews to you? [Click here to get your own subscription](. Want to help support EarthSky? Forward this email to a friend. Share our content via your social media. Consider a [donation](. Or go [shopping at the EarthSky Store](. Thank you for your support! by: [Like us on Facebook]( [Follow us on Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Website]( [Edit Block](#) [Duplicate Block](#) [Delete Block](#) [update your profile]( | [unsubscribe](