'RING OF FIRE' SOLAR ECLIPSE: Millions of people are about to see a "ring of fire" in the daytime sky. It's an annular solar eclipse. On Dec. 26th, the Moon will pass directly in front of the sun, not quite covering the entire solar disk. The path of annularity cuts across Saudi Arabia, India, Indonesia and Guam--among other places. Play this movie to find out if you are in the eclipse zone.
NORTHERN LIGHTS AT 34,000 FEET: A minor stream of solar wind hit Earth's magnetic field on Dec. 18th. The impact did not cause a geomagnetic storm, but it did light up Arctic skies. Hongming Zheng saw the show while flying 34,000ft above Anchorage, Alaska:
"I grabbed a window seat onboard the largest passenger plane in the world, a China Southern Airbus A380 enroute from Los Angeles to Guangzhou," explains Zheng. "While passing over Anchorage, Northern Lights exploded in all shapes and multiple colors,filling half the sky. The display lasted all the way to the Kamchatka peninsula of Russia. What a way to end the decade! "
"Taking photos like this from inside an airplane is difficult due to window reflections," he continues. "I cut out a piece of black paper with a hole to fit the lens through, and used that to shield the reflections on the windows. I also chose a seat that would maximize the aurora's reflections on the massive A380 wing."
The solar wind is flowing from a ragged hole in the sun's atmosphere. The hole is wide enough to engulf Earth in solar wind for two days in a row. This means Arctic sky watchers whould be alert for auroras on Dec. 19th as well. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
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CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: So far in 2019, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus have launched 41 space weather balloons to the stratosphere, measuring cosmic rays over 2 continents and 6 different US states. You can help them pay their helium bill by purchasing a Christmas gift from the edge of space:
Every item in the Earth to Sky Store has flown to the stratosphere alongside an array of cosmic ray sensors. Carried aloft by giant helium balloons, these unique gifts travel above 99.7% of Earth's atmosphere, experiencing space-like blasts of cosmic rays, extreme cold, and a wild ride parachuting back to Earth after the balloon explodes. Even Amazon doesn't carry items this far out.
Don't forget to enter coupon code "XMASRAYS" at checkout for a 10% holiday discount.
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