Space Weather News for August 15, 2002<br />http://www.spaceweather.com<br /><br />AURORAS: A coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on August 14th could<br />buffet Earth's magnetic field on August 15th or 16th. Sky watchers at<br />high latitudes (e.g., Canada, New Zealand and the northern tier of US<br />states) should be alert for auroras especially during the hours around<br />local midnight on Thursday and Friday.<br /><br />AN ASTEROID: Asteroids are usually hard to see, but you can spot one this<br />weekend using only a small telescope or good binoculars. The unusualy<br />bright space rock, 2002 NY40, will glide by Earth on August 17th and 18th<br />only a little farther from our planet than the Moon. (There's no danger of<br />a collision.) Visit spaceweather.com for links to sky maps and observing<br />tips.<br /><br />A SUNSPOT: Who said solar max is over? The Sun is once again peppered<br />with spots. The largest, active region 69, is truly impressive. It spans<br />an area seven times greater than the surface area of Earth and poses a<br />threat for powerful flares. The big spot is easy to see from Earth--but<br />never stare directly at the Sun! Instead, use safe solar projection<br />methods described at spaceweather.com.