[meteorite-list] Possible Comet Outburst - C/2010 V1 (Ikeya-Murakami), Solar Activity Update

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 08:34:19 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <201011081634.oA8GYJZt001391_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

Space Weather News for Nov. 8, 2010
http://spaceweather.com

POSSIBLE COMET OUTBURST: A comet discovered just a few
days ago by amateur astronomers in Japan is gliding by
Saturn in the pre-dawn sky. Comet Ikeya-Murakami
(C/2010 V1) is not visible to the unaided eye, but
observers say it is a fairly easy target for backyard
telescopes. Images obtained over the weekend reveal
what appears to be an outburst in progress. The comet's
coma (atmosphere) bears a striking resemblance to the
coma of Comet Holmes, which famously exploded in 2007.
Check http://spaceweather.com for photos and more
information.

SOLAR ACTIVITY UPDATE: After unleashing one of the
brightest X-ray flares in years on Saturday afternoon,
Nov. 6th, sunspot 1121 took Sunday off. No strong flares
were recorded for the rest of the weekend. Nevertheless,
the active region's magnetic field is complex and harbors
energy for more eruptions. NOAA forecasters estimate an
85% chance of M-flares during the next 24 hours.
Received on Mon 08 Nov 2010 11:34:19 AM PST