A NEW SUNSPOT: A new sunspot is growing in the sun's northern hemisphere. Provisionally numbered AR2739, the bipolar region has a magnetic polarity that identifies it as a member of old Solar Cycle 24. Old-cycle sunspots rarely produce strong flares, so the chance of flares remains low even as the sunspot number increases with the emergence of AR2739. Free: SWx Newsletter.
NEUTRONS OVER THE USA: Want to experience space weather? Just step onboard an airplane. At typical cruising altitudes, cosmic rays from deep space penetrate the hulls of commercial jetliners, dosing passengers with levels of radiation comparable to dental X-rays. To measure this radiation, Spaceweather.com and the students of Earth to Sky Calculus have been flying cosmic ray sensors onboard airplanes over 5 continents. Our latest results show something potentially interesting about the continental USA.
Above: Neutrons detected during a flight from Portland to DC on April 9,2019.
On April 9th and 11th we flew neutron bubble chambers from Portland, Oregon, to Washington DC and back again. In the photo, above, each bubble was created by a cosmic ray neutron. Why measure neutrons? Studies show that neutrons can be ten times more effective at causing biological damage compared to X-rays and gamma-rays in the same energy range. Neutrons are so effective, they are used for cancer therapy, killing tumors better than other forms of radiation.
During these flights, we measured more than 20 uGy of neutron radiation--the whole body equivalent of two panoramic dental X-rays. That's significant, but no worse than a trip to the dentist's office.
The interesting thing is how these values compare to other places we've flown. Our neutron chambers have traveled more than 40,000 miles on 14 flights over North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa, all with typical altitudes near 35,000 feet. So far, neutron dose rates have been highest in one place: the continental USA (CONUS).
In this histogram, flights over CONUS are color-coded red. Other parts of the world are blue. The distribution's red tail shows the tendency of US flights to "out-neutron" international flights. This may be a result of small-number statistics. If so, the anomaly could disappear as more data are added. Our neutron survey is continuing, so stay tuned.
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
MOTHER'S DAY IS LESS THAN ONE MONTH AWAY: Nothing says "I Love You" like a heart-shaped pendant from the edge of space. On Dec. 31st, 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 $129.95. 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 sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery