WEEKEND SOLAR ECLIPSE: On Sunday, Jan. 6th, the Moon passed in front of the sun, off center, producing a partial solar eclipse visible from coastal China to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. During the event, as much as 71% of the solar disk was covered. Browse the solar eclipse gallery for photos.
THE NITROGEN FRINGE: Over the weekend, a high-speed stream of solar wind buffeted Earth's magnetic field, sparking big green auroras around the Arctic Circle. Last night in Utsjoki, Finland, Tiina Salonen of Aurora Holidays noticed something extra--a fringe of pink:
This is a "nitrogen fringe." Most auroras are green--the color of oxygen atoms being struck by energetic particles from space between 100 km and 300 km above Earth's surface. Pink appears when energetic particles descend lower than usual, striking nitrogen molecules at the 100 km level and below.
"Auroras--both pink and green--danced all above us on Jan. 6th," says Salonen. "It was absolutely stunning!"
There is anecdotal evidence that Solar Minimum produces an unusual number of pink and even white auroras. Why? The "flavor" (chemical and magnetic composition) of solar wind during Solar Minimum may differ from other phases of the solar cycle, producing its own palette of color. If so, more pink lights may be in the offing on Jan. 7th as the solar wind continues to blow. Aurora Alerts: SMS text
OUT OF THIS WORLD VALENTINE'S GIFT: Valentine's Day is only 5 weeks away. Need a far-out gift? Consider the Valentine's Space Rose. This one flew 96,000 feet above the snow-capped Sierras of California on Jan. 3rd:
You can have it for $129.95. The rose is laser-etched into a block of optical-quality borosilicate crystal with the words "I Love You" curving around the stem. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling these to support their cosmic ray ballooning program.
Each rose comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space. Also included is a rotating LED stand that fills the bloom with 4 luminous colors.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education