THE SOLAR WIND IS HERE: A high-speed stream of solar wind is buffeting Earth's magnetic field, causing intermittent G1-class geomagnetic storms. High latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras, especially in the southern hemisphere where winter darkness favors visibility. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
RED SPRITES OVER ITALY: We all know what comes out of the bottom of thunderstorms: lightning bolts. But on July 7th, Valter Binotto of Possagno, Italy, saw something coming out of the top."It was a cluster of red sprites," says Binotto.
Sprites are an exotic form of lightning that shoot up toward space. People have been seeing them over powerful thunderstorms since at least the 19th century. Those early reports of sprites were met with skepticism. Most lightning experts didn't believe they existed until 1989 when researchers from the University of Minnesota finally captured them on film. Subsequent video footage from the space shuttle cemented their status as an authentic physical phenomenon.
In recent years, citizen scientists have been photographing sprites in record numbers. But why?Solar Minimum may be boosting sprites. During this phase of the solar cycle, cosmic rays from deep space penetrate Earth's atmosphere more than usual--a result of the sun's weakening magnetic field. Some researchers believe that cosmic rays provide the ionizing "spark" that triggers sprites. If so, stay tuned for more as Solar Minimum deepens.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
MILLENNIUM FALCON IN THE STRATOSPHERE: It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs! On July 6, 2019, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched the Millennium Falcon to the stratosphere. Riding onboard a high-altitude cosmic ray balloon, the laser-etched crystal spaceship traveled 103,018 feet above Earth's surface:
You can have it for $119.95. The students are selling the Falcon to fund the Earth to Sky ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the Falcon in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space. Also included: an LED-illuminated stand. This creates a colorful visual effect and allows the Falcon to be used as a far-out night light.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
Realtime Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter