Space Weather News for Oct. 16, 2010   
   http://spaceweather.com   
       
   SOLAR FLARE: The strongest solar flare in nearly three months erupted from   
   sunspot 1112 on October 16th.  Remarkably, the M1-class event did not disrupt   
   a huge magnetic filament passing right by the blast site.  Future eruptions   
   might, however, if this active sunspot continues to grow as quickly as it has   
   in the past few days. Visit http://spaceweather.com to view movies of the   
   event from the Solar Dynamics Observatory.   
       
   COMET 103P/HARTLEY AT ITS BEST:  For backyard stargazers, the next few nights   
   are the best time to see green Comet 103P/Hartley 2 as it approaches Earth for   
   an 11-million-mile close encounter on Oct. 20th. Set your alarm for the dark   
   hours before dawn, go outside, and look straight up. You will find Hartley 2   
   not far from the bright star Capella. Although the comet is barely visible to   
   the unaided eye, it is easy to locate using binoculars and looks great through   
   a backyard telescope.  Sky maps and more information may be found at   
   http://spaceweather.com .   
       
   THE COMET HUNTER: Need a telescope for Comet Hartley 2? We recommend the David   
   H. Levy Comet Hunter--on sale during Hartley 2's close encounter with Earth.   
   Click here: http://www.shopspaceweather.com/152mmf48comethuntero   
   awithdeluxecaseandaccess ories.aspx   
       
       
   Regards,   
       
   Roger   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.56   
    * Origin: NCS BBS (1:3828/7)