EXITING THE SOLAR WIND: Earth is exiting a stream of solar wind that caused G1-class geomagnetic storms and auroras over both ends of our planet on July 9-10. Solar wind speeds are currently near 500 km/s (1.1 million mph) and dropping. These values could still spark some high latitude auroras, but the light show, if any, should fully subside by July 12th. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
AURORAS SEEN FROM THE STRATOSPHERE: A solar wind stream hit Earth on July 9th and 10th. The view from the stratosphere was sublime. While the gaseous material from the sun was buffeting our planet's magnetic field, Ian Griffin photographed an outburst of auroras from NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a specially modified Boeing 747 aircraft that can skim the bottom of the stratosphere for crystal-clear views of the heavens:
"It was the best aurora adventure ever," says Griffin. "I was lucky to be a guest on board SOFIA, which is presently flying out of Christchurch, New Zealand, during its annual trip to view the southern sky during austral winter. Last night, for almost the whole flight, the sky to the south was bathed by an amazing auroral display! Some of the forms were truly astonishing, and at times the aurora in the window was so bright it mesmerized all on board."
The solar wind stream that caused the display came from a northern hole in the sun's atmosphere. Normally, such a stream might not be enough to spark spectacular auroras. This time, however, Earth's magnetosphere was already 'charged up' by an unexpected CME impact on July 8th. The arrival of the solar wind stream only one day later tipped the magnetosphere into a state of glowing G1-class storminess.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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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.
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Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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Realtime Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery
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