SOLAR STORM MISSES EARTH... A pair of CMEs expected to graze Earth's magnetic field on March 11th did not. Either they are approaching much more slowly than expected or, more likely, they missed. The solar storm clouds were not hurled directly toward Earth, and they appear to have sailed wide of our planet. Aurora Alerts: SMS text, email.
...AURORAS APPEAR ANYWAY: No CMEs? No problem. "Although it looks like the two CMEs missed our planet, we witnessed some very pretty auroras over the Finnish Lapland," reports Rayann Elzein of Inari, Finland. "In fact, I finally realized my dream of photographing reindeer with auroras overhead."
What sparked the display? A small crack formed in Earth's magnetic field. Ambient solar wind poured in, bathing the reindeer with Northern Lights.
More auroras are in the offing. A hole in the sun's atmosphere is turning toward Earth, and it is spewing a stream of solar wind in our direction. Estimated time of arrival: March 15th. G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on that date. Aurora Alerts: SMS text, email.
A MOONSTONE AT THE EDGE OF SPACE: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Nothing says "I love you" like a moonstone from the edge of space. Last month, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew this moonstone wrapped in a sterling silver Celtic love knot 34.1 km (111,877 feet) above Earth's surface:
You can have it for $139.95. The students are selling these pendants to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the item 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 sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery