I thought today might be a good day to share this.

Comet was a little more distinct tonight, because it's higher in the until a little later (darker). From outskirts of Phoenix.

I spotted Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS with the naked eye Saturday evening, 10/12, from outskirts of Phoenix. It’s in the West, just above where the sun goes down, visible at dusk. You need a clear view of the Western horizon. Best night could be Monday, 10/14…

Photo of the aurora this evening from the NWS in Mt. Holly, NJ, near Philadelphia.

Hurricane Milton's eye is just 100 miles offshore now, top winds 125 mph, moving at 17 mph. That puts landfall about 6 hours away (but it may slow down). Conditions deteriorating -- 68 mph wind gust reported at Fort Myers. Track for the next 12 hours is pretty certain now.

#HurricaneMilton top winds expected to lessen by landfall Wednesday night, to around 125 mph -- still extremely dangerous. This change will be coupled by a predicted DOUBLING in the size of the storm. The overall energy remains, just gets redistributed. Rainfall forecast:

Soon-to-be Hurricane Milton (now a tropical storm) is expected to become a major hurricane (winds 115+ mph) by the time it reaches Florida's west coast mid-week. Lots of uncertainty right now on path and ultimate strength, but conditions are in place for a really bad storm.

Hurricane activity typically peaks in September and October, when oceans reach their peak temps having absorbed sunlight on those long summer days. Unfortunately, it looks like Florida is likely to experience another one in a few days.

Not making any predictions, just reminding all that hurricane season typically peaks in September, and continues thru Nov. 30. Superstorm Sandy's 2012 landfall in NJ/NY was on Oct. 29. Right now in the tropics:

Hurricane Helene has made landfall in Florida. Here's a snapshot of its stats, from the NHC, at this moment:

All eyes are on Florida as hurricane Helene approaches landfall this evening, but serious flooding from the storm is predicted from the inland portions of Georgia and the Carolinas to Nashville and even into Illinois. Up to 10 inches and more in some areas.

From the Facebook page of the sheriff in Taylor County, Florida—directly in the path of Helene: "If you or someone you know chose not to evacuate, PLEASE write your, Name, birthday and important information on your arm or leg in A PERMANENT MARKER so that you can be identified and family notified."

The 1st Amendment to the US Constitution protects 5 rights. Only 30% of US adults can name 3 or more, and only 7% can name all 5. Meanwhile, 22% think it protects the right to bear arms. Maybe they should roll up their sleeves and... study civics?

SOURCE: Annenberg Public Policy Center survey