COSMIC RAYS ARE NEARING A SPACE AGE RECORD: Cosmic rays penetrating Earth's atmosphere are nearing a Space Age record for dose rates. This is a result of Solar Minimum, a deep lull in solar activity that allows deep-space radiation to enter the solar system. Read the full story to see the data and find out when the record might be broken.
FUGACIOUS AURORAS: A minor stream of solar wind is blowing around Earth, and making a weak connection to our planet's magnetic field. Weak is all takes, however, to ignite auroras over arctic Alaska. Last night, Ayumi Bakken photographed the display from Fairbanks:
"It is always hard for me to describe auroras using English, my 2nd language," says Bakken. "What word is best to explain this special spring aurora... Faint? Fragile? Fugacious...? I'm pretty sure that it was beautiful."
More evanescent auroras mixed with polar twilight are possible tonight as the solar wind continues to blow. NOAA forecasters say that K-indices of 4 are possible on April 25th, just below the threshold for minor geomagnetic storms. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
MOTHER'S DAY IS LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AWAY: Are you looking for an out-of-this world Mother's Day gift? Consider this: Every time the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launch a cosmic ray balloon, they include something extra in the payload--something mom will love:
Every item in the Earth to Sky Store has flown to the edge of space and comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight. The interior of the card tells the story of the gift's journey from launch to landing. Mom-satisfaction guaranteed!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
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