URSID METEOR SHOWER: Earth is approaching the debris zone of Comet 8P/Tuttle, source of the annual Ursid meteor shower. During the shower's peak on the night of Dec. 22nd, about 10 meteors per hour will shoot out of the sky near the North Star. This is a minor shower, but a beautiful one because it occurs on a long dark near the northern winter solstice. Browse: Meteor Photo Gallery.
SOLSTICE LIGHTS OVER THE ISLAND OF POLAR BEARS: Earth is exiting a stream of solar wind that sparked bright auroras around the Arctic Circle on Dec. 18th and 19th. One of the best places to be during the display was the Island of Polar Bears:
Sophie Cordon sends this picture from Svalbard, also known as "the island of polar bears" because of its large population of Ursus maritimus. The town in her picture is Longyearbyen, the northernmost inhabited settlement in the world.
Located between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole, the Arctic island is frequently illuminated by the glow of geomagnetic activity. "At this time of year we can see Northern Lights 24/7," says Cordon. "Last night's display during the darkest part of polar night was great!"
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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.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
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