• X1.7 solar flare – the 7th largest in Solar Cycle 24

    Earth-orbiting satellites detected a powerful X1.7 solar flare today, January 27, at 18:37 UTC. The source was departing sunspot 1402 which rotate onto the far side of the sun, so the blast site was not Earth directed. Goddard Space Weather Lab’s analysists say the

  • Tropical cyclone Funso weakening and moving southward

    Tropical cyclone Funso is the first major cyclone of 2012 and fifth named storm of this year’s cyclone season. Funso reached the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on January 25, with winds of 120 knots (220 kilometers/140 miles per hour). The storm is weakening

  • Close flyby of asteroid 2012 BX34

    Newly-discovered asteroid 2012 BX34 will fly past Earth on Jan. 27th only 77,000 km (0.2 lunar distances) away. There is no danger of a collision with the 14-meter wide space rock. Advanced amateur astronomers might be able to observe the flyby as the asteroid

  • New research reveals abundance of fresh water in the Arctic

    A large dome of fresh water has been building up in the Arctic Ocean over the last 15 years. The water is spilling into the north Atlantic and cooling Europe caused by a change in wind direction. Since 2002, the sea surface in the studied area has risen by about 15 cm,

  • 5.2 earthquake struck north of Crete, Greece

    Magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck area of south Aegean sea, north from Crete at Dodocanese archipelago (36.111°N, 25.140°E) at depth of 14.8 km (9.2 miles) according to Department of Geophysics, University of Thessaloniki. European Mediterranean Seismic Center

  • Large landslide swept throught villages in Papua New Guinea

    A landslide swept through two villages in Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, covering much of the settlements in mud and leaving up to 40 people missing. PNG is experiencing one of the worst wet seasons, which traditionally runs from December to May, ever, local authorities

  • Tropical cyclone Funso still a danger to Mozambique and Madagascar

    Tropical Cyclone Funso intensified to the strength of a Category 4 hurricane as it churns off the coast of southern Africa with winds in excess of 130 mph. TC Funso slammed the nation’s north-central provinces, particularly Zambezia, last Friday into Monday with high

  • Fabulous displays of northern lights after M8.7 solar flare

    The anticipated geomagnetic storm caused by Monday’s M8.7 solar flare and Tuesday’s coronal mass ejection (CME) impact is over. The aurora watch has been cancelled today for all but the highest latitudes around the Arctic Circle but a dazzling display of aur