A HOLE IN THE SUN'S ATMOSPHERE (UPDATED): A wide hole in the sun's atmosphere is facing Earth and spewing a stream of solar wind toward our planet. Estimated time of arrival: April 10th. NOAA forecasters say there is a 55% chance of G1-class magnetic storms when the gaseous material reaches Earth. Free: Aurora Alerts.
RED SPRITES AND THE PLEIADES: This week in the Czech republic, Martin Popek photographed a pair of red sprites leaping up from a thunderstorm 375 km away at the Czech-German border. "They were reaching toward the Pleiades star cluster--a very pretty sight," he says. "Sprite season has begun!"
Over the years, Popek has photographed hundreds of sprites from his private observatory in Nýdek. These are unusual, however, because of the date they appeared. "I photographed them on April 4th," he explains. "Sprites usually appear in late spring or summer when thunderstorm season is underway. These are quite early."
Sometimes called "space lightning," sprites inhabit the upper atmosphere alongside auroras and noctilucent clouds. Unlike ordinary lightning, which lance down from thunderstorms, sprites fly up. Some researchers believe sprites are linked to cosmic rays: subatomic particles from deep space strike the top of Earth's atmosphere, producing secondary electrons that spark the eerie red forms.
The link to cosmic rays is particularly interesting at this time. Recent measurements by space weather balloons and NASA spacecraft show that cosmic radiation is increasing. This is largely due to the decline of the solar cycle. Flagging solar wind pressure allows more cosmic rays into the inner solar system. If sprites and cosmic rays are truly linked, we may be seeing many more of both in the years ahead. Stay tuned.
MOTHER'S DAY IS ONLY 5 WEEKS AWAY: Nothing says "I Love You" like a heart-shaped pendant from the edge of space. On March 17, 2018, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew an array of cosmic ray sensors to the stratosphere onboard a giant helium balloon. This pendant went along for the ride:
You can have it for $99.95. The students are selling these pendants as a fund-raiser for their cosmic ray monitoring program--and they make great Mother's Day gifts. All proceeds support atmospheric radiation measurements and hands-on STEM education.
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. Mom-satisfaction guaranteed.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All proceeds support hands-on STEM education
AURORAS AT 35,000 FEET: Last night, April 7-8, Ulrich C. Beinert was flying an Airbus A380 from San Francisco to Frankfurt when the cockpit window filled with green:
"From nightfall over Saskatchewan to dawn over Greenland, more or less constant northern lights accompanied us, sometimes flaring up to impressive proportions," says Beinert. "The first hint of aurora was visible in civil twilight, but it really got started around local midnight north of Hudson Bay."
More auroras are in the offing as a stream of solar wind approaches Earth. Estimated time of arrival: April 10th. NOAA forecasters say G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible when the gaseous material reaches Earth. Pilots, be alert for green! Free: Aurora Alerts.