TONIGHT'S FULL MOON: There's a full moon tonight and according to folklore it has a special name--the "Sprouting Grass Moon," so-called because it shines down on the new grasses of northern spring. Other folk-names for this month's full Moon include the Pink Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon. "Sprouting Grass" is our favorite. Monitor the photo gallery for moonshots. Free: SWx Newsletter.
SPRITE SEASON IS UNDERWAY: High above Earth, a strange and beautiful form of lightning dances at the edge of space. Researchers call the bolts "sprites"; they are red, fleeting, and tend to come in bunches. Note to sky watchers: Sprite season is underway. On April 17th, Paul Smith photographed these specimens over Anadarko, Oklahoma:
"I caught these sprites leaping up from a thunderstorm about 130 miles away," says Smith. "This is just one bunch. There were many more--a few of which I have posted on my Facebook page."
Because sprites are associated with thunderstorms, they tend to occur in late spring and summer. Thunderstorm season is sprite season.
"Sprite season is coming together very nicely this year," reports Smith. "There has been an abundance of lightning here in Oklahoma. This was my third successful outing even though spring is just getting started."
Indeed, Oklahoma is the epicenter of a region that we call "Sprite Alley," a corridor stretching across the US Great Plains where intense thunderstorms produce lots of upward directed lightning.
Although sprites have been seen for at least a century, most scientists did not believe they existed until after 1989 when sprites were photographed by cameras onboard the space shuttle. Now "sprite chasers" routinely photograph sprites from their own homes. Give it a try!
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
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