SPACE WEATHER PHOTO GALLERY TROUBLES: Many readers have noticed that our realtime photo gallery is malfunctioning. We apologize for the inconvenience. Troubleshooting is underway. Meanwhile, if you have any problem submitting your photos, feel free to email them directly to Dr. Tony Phillips.
GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING: NOAA forecasters say there is a 75% chance of geomagnetic storms on March 23rd when a coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to sideswipe Earth's magnetic field. Storm levels could reach category G2, which is moderately strong. During G2-class storms, auroras may be seen in northern-tier US states as far south as New York and Idaho. Aurora alerts: SMS text, email.
COSMIC RAY BALLOON LAUNCH: For more than 4 years, Spaceweather.com and the students of Earth to Sky Calculus have been launching cosmic ray balloons to the stratosphere. Near-weekly launches have shown that radiation levels are increasing. Today, mindful that a CME is approaching Earth, the young scientists launched their 285th balloon laden with X-ray/gamma-ray sensors:
The balloon ascended 110,000 feet over the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains of central California, sampled cosmic rays, then parachuted back to Earth, landing in a remote area of Death Valley National Park.
The purpose of the flight is to provide a BEFORE measurement--before the CME arrives, that is. If the CME strikes on March 23rd, as expected, an AFTER balloon will be launched to assess the affect of the solar storm cloud on atmospheric radiation.
It might surprise you to learn that a CME can cause radiation to go down. It's called a "Forbush Decrease," named after physicist Scott E. Forbush who first described it in the 20th century. Magnetic fields inside CMEs often sweep aside cosmic rays that would otherwise penetrate Earth's atmosphere. We may be able to measure this ironic effect of solar storms in the day ahead. stay tuned.
A GIFT FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: Last month, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched the starship Enterprise to the stratosphere. Riding onboard a high-altitude cosmic ray balloon, the laser-etched crystal spaceship traveled 34.7 km (113,845 feet) above Earth's surface:
You can have it for $149.95. The students are selling the Enterprise to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each starship 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 multi-colored LED illuminated stand (shown in the picture above). This creates a colorful visual effect and allows the Enterprise to be used as a far-out night light.
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