CHANCE OF STORMS ON NOV. 8TH: Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible later today when a CME is expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after dark on Nov. 8th. Live webcam
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Even if today's anticipated CME proves to be a dud, there are still auroras in the offing. A coronal hole has opened in the sun's atmosphere and it is spewing a stream of solar wind toward Earth. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory photographed the structure on Nov. 8th:
Coronal holes are places where the sun's magnetic field opens up and allows solar plasma normally trapped by magnetic forcesto escape. A stream of solar wind flowing from this coronal hole is expected to reach our planet as early as Nov. 11th, possibly sparking geomagnetic storms and high-latitude auroras when it arrives. Stay tuned for updates as the solar wind approaches. Free: Aurora Alerts
FLIGHT OF THE SPACE PICKLE: Did you know that cosmic radiation in Earth's atmosphere is increasing? It's true. These and other findings of the Earth to Sky Calculus ballooning program are funded not by government grants or corporate donations. Instead, we rely on crowdfunding. Hence, the flight of the space pickle:
To raise funds for their ongoing research, Spaceweather.com and the students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew two dozen Christmas pickles to the stratosphere. On Nov. 5th, the glass gherkins ascended to an altitude of 111,900 feet, experiencing temperatures as low as -55 C and cosmic ray dose rates more than 100x Earth normal.
You can have one for your own tree. Price: $49.95. All proceeds are used to support cutting-edge student research. The space pickle and other edge of space gifts may be found in the Earth to Sky Store.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery