Space Weather News for May 12, 2001 http://www.spaceweather.com GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING: Our planet entered a high speed solar wind stream on Saturday, May 12th, which triggered a moderate geomagnetic storm. Sky watchers, especially those at high latitudes, should be alert for glowing auroras tonight near local midnight. THE SUNSPOT THE WOULDN'T DIE: Holographic images of the far side of the Sun reveal an old friend: active region 9393, the largest sunspot of the current solar cycle and the source of the most powerful x-ray solar flare ever recorded. The giant spot, which is probably now just a shadow of its former self, has already transited the Earth-facing side of the Sun twice. If AR9393 persists for another week it will emerge into direct view for a rare third transit. BRIGHTENING COMET: Southern hemisphere observers report that comet C/2001 A2 (LINEAR), which split into two pieces last month, has surged in brightness again. For more information and updates, please visit http://www.spaceweather.com