SOLAR WIND SPARKS MAGNETIC STORM: A stream of solar wind hit Earth's magnetic field during the late hours of Jan. 13th, sparking a G1-class geomagnetic storm. First contact produced a magnificent outburst of auroras over Tromsø, Norway:
"This sudden display left us all with cold teeth," says photographer Markus Varik, "because when we saw it our jaws dropped!"
On the other side of the world, auroras appeared in the southern hemisphere, too. "I saw a delightful and subtle pastel-coloured aurora painting the southern sky above Moturata Island," reports Ian Griffin of Otago, New Zealand. "Of course I had to photograph it!"
The gaseous material in this solar wind stream is flowing from a hole in the sun's atmosphere, shown here in a Jan. 10th image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory:
The stream is wide enough to engulf Earth for 24 to 48 hours. As a result, more geomagnetic activity possible on Jan. 14-15. Polar sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Free: Aurora Alerts.
ASHES SCATTERED IN THE STRATOSPHERE: In August 2016, geologist Lee Allison, the director of the Arizona Geological Survey, passed away. On Dec. 31, 2017, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew his ashes to the stratosphere using a robotic ash scatterer. The space weather balloon flight, which also gathered data on atmospheric radiation, was sponsored by Lee's wife Ann Becker to honor Lee and mark the sky-high impact he had on colleagues, students, friends and family.
"Lee was always interested in space," says Ann, "and like a lot of us who grew up with the space program, he always wanted to go into space. Funding a balloon flight and spreading his ashes in the stratosphere are definitely things he would have appreciated.
"I grew up in central Wyoming. Our 9th grade earth science teachers conducted field science programs (geology and botany mostly) in the summer. I think science programs outside the normal school day can change a young person's trajectory. They certainly changed mine. Ultimately I studied geophysics and earned a PhD in seismology.
"I remember something my high school senior year AP calculus teacher said (1969, right after the Apollo 11 mission): that the boys in the class were the astronauts of the future, and the girls would be their wives and support them. I'm pleased that times have changed, pleased that there are programs like Earth to Sky Calculus that make it easier for young women to not bury their intelligence or interests because society says they're supposed to.
"Lee always supported women in geology," concludes Ann. "He was one of the founding members of the Salt Lake chapter of the Assn for Women Geoscientists. A STEM program like Earth to Sky Calculus is one he would support."
GLOWING 3D PRINTED MOON GLOBE: Looking for an over-the-Moon Valentine's gift? Consider this: On Jan. 4, 2017, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew this 3D printed Moon globe to the stratosphere:
The surface of the sphere is an accurate topo-map of lunar terrain, tracing every major crater and mountain range. It is also a night light. A built-in USB-rechargeable battery provides up to 20 hours of romantic illumination.
A helium-filled space weather balloon lifted the globe to the stratosphere, reaching an altitude of 36.3 km (119,095 ft) above California's Sierra Nevada mountains. After the balloon exploded, as planned, the payload parachuted back to Earth. The Moon was still glowing when the student recovery team found it in the wilderness.
You can have one for $149.95. Each glowing orb comes with a greeting card showing the Moon in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space. Sales support the Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray ballooning program and hands-on STEM research.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All proceeds support hands-on STEM education