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

[Ron Baalke]

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.