Space and Quakes

August 31, 2016          9am (EDT)

Asteroids: Today asteroid (2016 QB11) will pass Earth at a distance of 3.42 (LD). On September 30th asteroid (2009 UG) will pass Earth at a distance of 4.81 (LD)

(LD) lunar distance - I only list asteroids under 10 (LD) and that can change at anytime.

Solar Winds: Earth is in a stream of solar wind that is sparking some nice auroras.

Sunspots: Sunspots AR2582-2583 are still crackling with (minor) C-class solar flares. Other than that solar activity is low, for now.

Solar Eclipse: There will be an annular eclipse tomorrow in Africa. An annular eclipse is one that leaves a thin strip of sun shining around the lunar limb. People in Gabon, Republie of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar will see the “ring of fire” for about 3 minutes.

Earthquakes: There has been 7 quakes of 4+ and 3 quakes of 5+ magnitude in the last 12 hours. There was also 2 quakes of 6.5 and 6.7 magnitude 8 hours ago in Papua New Guinea, Rabaul. This caused a Tsunami warning to be issued but none was observed.

Storms: Hurricane Gaston is over the North-central Atlantic with 120mph winds. Tropical Depresion Eight is moving slowly Northeastward away from the North Carolina Coast. Tropical Depression Nine is headed toward Florida Gulf Coast and likely to strengthen (warnings have been issued). Hurricane Madeline is going by the south of Hawaii today (warnings have been issued). Hurricane Lester will need to be watched to see where it is headed.