SUBSIDING STORMS: The big geomagnetic storm of July 16-17 is finished. Earth is exiting the wake of the instigating CME and, as a result, geomagnetic activity should remain below G1-storm levels on July 18th. The best place to see auroras today is in the aurora gallery. Free: Aurora Alerts
NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: On July 17th, during a geomagnetic storm, Ruslan Merzlyakov of Nykøbing Mors, Denmark, went to the beach after dark, hoping to see some patches of green in the sky. Instead, he witnessed a spectacular display of electric blue:
"I did not see any auroras, but there were some very nice noctilucent clouds (NLCs)," says Merzlyakov.
At about the same time in Germany, Laura Kranich caught them both. "I photographed noctilucent clouds with auroras shimmering overhead," she says. "It was a space weather duet."
The auroras have faded as Earth exits the wake of a CME. However, the noctilucent clouds seem to be intensifying. On July 17th and 18th, European observers have seen the silvery ripples of frosted meteor smoke as far south as France. Sunset sky watchers should be alert for more. Observing tips: Look west 30 to 60 minutes after sunset when the sun has dipped ~10o below the horizon. If you see luminous blue-white tendrils spreading across the sky, you may have spotted a noctilucent cloud.
Realtime Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery
DEPARTING SUNSPOT: The biggest sunspot of the year, AR2665, is rotating off the face of the sun today. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded this parting shot:
The sunspot's towering magnetic canopy appears to be waving goodbye. For the next two weeks, AR2665 will transit the far side of the sun, out of sight and unable to affect our planet. Geoeffective solar flares could resume in early August when the sunspot is due to return, provided it does not disintegrate between now and then.
Goodbye AR2665, and thanks for all the auroras.
SOLAR ECLIPSE SPACE PENDANTS: Would you like to support our Solar Eclipse Balloon Network? Here's one way: Buy a space pendant. This solar eclipse-themed necklace flew to the stratosphere on July 2, 2017, attached to the payload of an Earth to Sky Calculus space weather balloon:
The payload contained more just like it. If you buy one now for $79.95, we will fly it back to the stratosphere during the Great American Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017, where it will be enveloped by the Moon's cool shadow above our launch site in Oregon. No additional charge! Just make a note in the COMMENTS BOX of the shopping cart: "Please fly my pendant into the eclipse!" Each pendant comes with a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again.
More items from the edge of space may be found in the Earth to Sky Store. All proceeds support atmospheric radiation monitoring and hands-on STEM education.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All proceeds support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery