MYSTERY IN THE MESOSPHERE: This summer, something strange has been happening in the mesosphere--a layer of Earth's atmosphere so high that it nearly touches space. The mesosphere is the realm of noctilucent clouds, electric-blue glowing forms that are seeded by meteor smoke. Lately, these clouds have been glowing more brightly than usual. What's happening up there? Researchers from the University of Colorado may have found the answer.
A HOLE IN THE SUN'S ATMOSPHERE: A ragged horseshoe-shaped hole in the sun's atmosphere is turning toward Earth, spewing a stream of high-speed solar wind toward our planet. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory photographed the structure earlier today:
This is a "coronal hole," a region in the sun's atmosphere where magnetic fields open up and allow solar wind to escape.
Coronal holes are a primary form of space weather during solar minimum--that is, now. Studies show that coronal holes not only open more frequently, but also last longer when sunspots are absent. During the last solar minimum in 2007-2009, one coronal hole stayed open for 27 consecutive solar rotations. As the sun slowly turned on its axis, that hole fire-hosed Earth with a stream of solar wind almost once a month for nearly two years. For comparison, this coronal hole has only been around twice. It is a youngster.
Arctic auroras are likely when the solar wind arrives on Aug. 20-21. Free: Aurora Alerts
COSMIC RAY BALLOONING CAMPAIGN: Between now and the end of August, Spaceweather.com and students from Earth to Sky Calculus will launch 5 cosmic ray balloons from 4 states: California, Oregon, Washington and Kansas. It's a major campaign designed to update our measurements of increasing atmospheric radiation across the USA:
The campaign kicked off yesterday, Aug. 16th, with a balloon launch from the Sierras of central California. It continues with launches on Aug. 19th (Washington), Aug. 21st (Oregon), Aug. 24th (California again) and Aug. 27th (Kansas). Stay tuned for updates as the data return from the stratosphere.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
LASER-ETCHED MOON CUBE: On August 16, 2018, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a cosmic ray balloon to the stratosphere. This unique laser-etched Moon cube went along for the ride, ascending to an altitude of 101,140 feet:
You can have it for $149.95. The students are selling these cubes as a fund-raiser for their cosmic ray ballooning program. It's an authentic representation of the Moon, with all of the craters, mountains and lava plains accurately portrayed.
Each Moon-cube comes with a unique gift card showing the item 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 sales support hands-on STEM education