The Beginning – 4 Times More Planned
SPACEWEATHER.COM NEWS: 04/17/2026
STARLINK DECLARES WAR ON COMETS: Earlier this year, the number of Starlink satellites in Earth orbit surpassed 10,000. You can see the evidence in the sky:
Dan Bush took this picture before sunrise on April 16th from Albany, Missouri. It’s supposed to be a picture of Comet PanSTARRS (C/2025 R3), but it contains far more satellites than comets–more than 35 Starlinks in the full-frame photo.
“The ‘Starlink Zone of Maximum Reflection’ appeared right in front of the comet,” says Bush. “Stacking 30-second exposures helped alleviate the satellites, but they’re still there.”
Bush’s photo is no fluke. In the past year, the number of comet photos criss-crossed by satellites submitted to our gallery has jumped more than 10-fold. The actual counts are certainly greater. Many astrophotographers use software to remove the streaks (e.g., StarXTerminator and Cosmic Clarity), then submit the scrubbed photos without mentioning that they were photobombed.
Sometimes, Starlink is the point: “Like any good astrophotographer, I was out in the pre-twilight hours of April 15th photographing Comet PanSTARRS,” says David Blanchard of Mormon Lake, Arizona. This is what he saw:
“Having Starlink satellites move across the image is expected these days — but I was not expecting this!” he says. “Some of the Starlinks were as bright as Venus.” (They had launched only 6 1/2 hours earlier and were still in extra-bright low orbits.)
Comet PanSTARRS is especially vulnerable to photobombing. It hugs the morning horizon in a patch of twilight sky where Starlinks are outside of Earth’s shadow. There, the satellites do a great job reflecting high-altitude sunlight into telescopes.
The Space Weather Photo Gallery is 10+ years older than the Starlink program, and it contains phenomena of all types–from Auroras to Zodiacal Lights. We find that comet photos are disproportionately susceptible to interference. Comets tend to be close to the sun, where Starlinks are brightest, and the field of view + exposure time of a typical comet photo is perfect for catching satellites.
Ultimately, SpaceX plans for 42,000 satellites. Note to the Editor: Next year, re-title this piece “The Good Old Days.”
more images: from Mary Beth Kiczenski of Moab, UT; from Mike Olason of Tucson, Arizona; from Larry Stevens of Portal, AZ; from Horst Peter Franzen of Flugplatz Senheld, Vulkaneifel, Germany
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
A HOLE IN THE SUN’S ATMOSPHERE: A large hole has opened in the sun’s atmosphere, and it is directly facing Earth. High-speed solar wind flowing from this coronal hole should arrive on April 18th, potentially sparking G2-class geomagnetc storms. The New Moon will provide dark skies and a nice canvas for long-exposure photography of auroras.
The Sun Today
Daily Sun: 17 Apr 26
Sunspot 4419 has a ‘beta-gamma’ magnetic field that harbors energy for M-class solar flares. Credit: NASA/SDO
Coronal Holes: 17 Apr 26
Solar wind flowing from this large coronal hole could reach Earth on April 18-20. Credit: NASA/SDO | more data
Mayan Calendar Time and Synchronicity
The cycle of Storm/CAUAC represents a Time for storms that call us home to a Sanctuary within. Earth weather is also producing thunderstorms and tornado warnings crossing the central states. We are grasped by the Power of the One at the Center of Creation who holds Divine Authority.
Under the Wing of the Almighty One (Psalm 91)
We have nothing to fear. (Besides, SpaceX previously reported that there would be no adverse affects to spaceweather forecasts, and if so, they would fix it immediately.) Solar Winds add another dynamic to any solar flares that could erupt from Sunspot 4419. A Power greater than the world is the Supreme Authority. In spite of the weather, we’re gathered under the Creator’s Wing.
7 Serpent/CHICCHAN lights the fuse and opens our eyes to see and feel the Truth. The Serpent is the symbol of Illumination that “lights the fuse that magnifies and explodes the life force itself. Knowledge, combining science, technology and psychology, plus spirituality are seeded on the planet.”
TRECENA OF STORM/CAUAC: A BLESSING OF LIVING WATER
MAYAN CALENDAR DAYKEEPER’S JOURNAL
7 Serpent/CHICCHAN (chi ‘kahn), Cherokee, Serpent/DO’TSI, Destiny Kin 85, Position 5
April 17, 2026, 04/17/2026; Times Before: 07/31/2025, 11/13/2024, 02/27/2024
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
TRECENA THE OF STORM/CAUAC – A RENEWAL AND REGENERATION OF SPIRIT
The “Tzolk’in Field Guide” is my gift to download that includes the Count of Days with the aspects for each Destiny Kin and highlights for a personal practice with each trecena. It’s designed as a companion for daily practice.
Visit the 13-Day Trecena Guide. to download a free copy. Volume 1 covers the first two seasons of the Tzolk’in, and Volume 2 covers the 3rd and 4th to the end of the Tzolk’in round.
Storm/CAUAC is the 1st trecena of the Second Season, found in Volume 1.
NOTE: Refer to Tone 1 for the Inspiration from the beginning.
7 Serpent/CHICCHAN (Cherokee, Serpent/DO’TSI) – Day 7 of 13 of the 1 Storm/CAUAC Trecena
Descriptions by Ian Xel Lungold (12 Sun/AHAU), wisdom and FREE Tzolk’in calculator preserved on MayanMajix.com
Galactic Tone 7: Reflective. Seven stands as a mirror to divide light and dark and to reflect all that is and is not. Seven is associated with the source of creation and the flow of Divine Will. With a keen sense of ethics, Seven establishes purpose to current and future goals.
Serpent/CHICCHAN: Movement and the creation of time. Sensual and dramatic, this sun sign embodies intense instinctual wisdom and creates a connection from Earth bound, to Heavenly aspirations. By sincere service to others, Serpent opens and expands its heart. Serpent aligns authority and the truth to bring justice that is quick and sure. Serpents are very adaptable, even fluid until trapped in a corner, and then they explode. Serpents, venomous temper poisons itself as well as others by creating resentful, suppressive and even destructive attitudes.
A GOOD DAY TO: Ask for flexibility and fluidity.
Cherokee, Serpent/DO’TSI: Serpent’s symbol is Constellation Serpens. Serpent people are Sky people who come to earth periodically as Educators. As above-So below, on Earth the Serpent is the roots of the tree of knowledge. Serpent power is vital energy, the moving force, the instinct and desire for creativity, the trigger that sets off the action. It lights the fuse that magnifies and explodes the life force itself. Knowledge, combining science, technology and psychology, plus spirituality are seeded on the planet.
[Text in italics was the primary source of inspiration for my journal. These are the sources that started my journey and they are the reference for interpretation each day. By providing the original text, I hope to offer a way to see what inspired my thoughts and by including all the aspects – allow for something more to inspire you. Mayan descriptions are those written by Ian Lungold. Cherokee descriptions came from multiple sources. Links to sources and other resources of study are offered on the Daykeeper Resources Page. ~Debra]
