WEAK IMPACT: A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) hit Earth's magnetic field on Nov. 14th, but the impact did not cause a geomagnetic storm. CIRs are transition zones between slow- and fast-moving streams of solar wind, containing shockwave-like gradients of solar plasma. Think of them as "mini-CMEs" (coronal mass ejections). Sometimes CIRs spark bright auroras ... but not this time. Free: Aurora Alerts.
NEW SUNSPOT: A new sunspot is emerging over the sun's eastern limb, interrupting a string of 13 spotless days. Guilherme Grassmann photographed the new region from his backyard observatory in Brazil:
"Using a 120 mm refractor and a Daystar solar filter, I was able to see multiple dark cores in this sunspot group," says Grassmann.
The sunspot has been numbered AR2687. Although it has broken a long string of spotless days, AR2687 probably won't alter the current state of low solar flare activity. The sunspot has a stable magnetic field that poses little threat for explosions.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
DOUBLE MOONBOW AND AURORAS: Seeing a rainbow at night: rare. Seeing a double rainbow at night: ridiculously rare. Seeing a double rainbow at night alongside the aurora borealis: "I couldn't believe my eyes," says Giuseppe Petricca who photographed the phenomenon on Nov. 7th from Stornoway, Eilean Siar, Scotland:
"Surely, this is a display that will remain in my memory forever," says Petricca. "Between fast moving rainclouds a gap formed, which lasted no more than two or three minutes. Beams of light from the full Moon lanced through the gap. The combination of falling raindrops and moonlight formed a lovely rainbow."
At the same time, a geomagnetic storm was underway. Parting clouds revealed a bright band of green auroras overhead, completing the unlikely scene.
Lunar rainbows are also called "moonbows." What made this moonbow a double? Moonlight reflecting once inside raindrops made the primary 'bow. A second reflection produced the double arc.
"I could continue on and on to describe this view, but I think that the picture does it way better," says says Petricca. "An unforgettable emotion!"
THIS CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT HAS TOUCHED SPACE: On Nov. 2, 2017, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a space weather balloon to the stratosphere. These kids do science, and the payload of their balloon carried an array of cosmic ray sensors to measure radiation coming from deep space. Oh, and one more thing…. BB-8:
During the 2.5 hour flight, the plucky robot experienced temperatures as low as -67 C and cosmic ray dose rates 100x Earth-normal. After the balloon exploded 107,342 feet above the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California, BB-8 parachuted back to Earth, landing in the desert near Silver Peak, Nevada.
You can have BB-8 for $79.95. Each ornament comes with a unique gift card showing BB-8 floating at the top of Earth's atmosphere. The interior of the card tells the story of the flight. It also comes with a bonus photo of BB-8 in the stratosphere. Hang it on your Christmas tree alongside BB-8 to impress holiday visitors!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All proceeds support hands-on STEM education