The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, which peaked at 6:54 am UT on May 10, 2024. The Solar Dynamics Observatory, which observes the Sun constantly, captured an image of this event, as seen in the bright flash towards the center of the image. Solar flares are powerful explosions of energy that can affect radio communications, electrical power grids, navigation signals and..... #astronomy#space#astrophysics#astrophotography
Also I feel shamed as a once-physics-teacher - I didn't know or remember that the sun changed polarity every 11 years. That's cool and weird and mind blowing.
Looking towards the southern constellation of Circinus, NGC 5315 appears, a planetary nebula located at a distance of about 8,000 light years from the Solar System. It is located 5.2 degrees west-southwest of Alpha Circini. Although its progenitor star called HD 120800 shines with a magnitude of 14, the nebula has an apparent magnitude of 9.8, much..... #astronomy#space#astrophysics#astrophotography