MONSTER SUNSPOT RETURNS, NO LONGER SCARY: Monster sunspot AR2673, which unleashed two X-class solar flares earlier this month, has returned after a two-week trip around the farside of the sun. The formerly potent sunspot decayed while it was gone, and no longer appears to be a threat for strong flares. Free: Solar Flare Alerts
SOLAR WIND SPARKS AURORAS: A stream of solar wind flowing from a hole in the sun's atmosphere brushed against Earth's magnetic field on Sept. 24th, producing an outburst of auroras over Norway:
"The equinox auroras came out dancing for almost 2 hours," says Petra Schneider, who photographed the display from Engeløya island. "It was an amazing light show!"
NOAA forecasters say there is a 50% chance of polar geomagnetic storms during the next 24 hours as Earth continues to feel the effect of the solar wind stream, increasing to 65% on Sept. 27th when a second, more potent stream arrives. Arctic sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Free: Aurora Alerts
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART PENDANTS: On Aug. 21st during the Great American Solar Eclipse, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched 11 space weather balloons from the path of totality. They aimed to photograph the Moon's shadow from the stratosphere--and they succeeded. As a fundraiser, some of the balloons carried jewelry, such as this heart-shaped pendant floating inside the Moon's shadow more than 100,000 feet above Oregon's Malheur National Forest:
During the 2.5 hour flight, the pendants were wrapped in the Moon's shadow for more than two minutes, experiencing a spooky darkness colder than -50 C.
You can have one for $149.95. Each limited-quantity pendant comes with a unique gift card showing the jewelry passing through the Moon's shadow and floating at the top of Earth's atmosphere. The interior of the card tells the story of the flight and confirms that this gift has been to the edge of space and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All proceeds support hands-on STEM education