SOLAR WIND, INCOMING: A minor stream of solar wind is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field on March 29th, possibly sparking auroras around the Arctic Circle. The gaseous material is flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
WELCOME BACK, STEVE: It's springtime, and STEVE is back. Jocelyn Blanchette photographed the purple ribbon over Fermont, Quebec, on March 22nd. "STEVE was right beside Venus," she says.
STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) looks like an aurora, but it is not. The phenomenon is caused by hot (~3000°C) ribbons of gas flowing through Earth's magnetosphere at speeds exceeding 13,000 mph. Glowing with a soft-purple hue, these ribbons sometimes appear when Earth's magnetic field is unsettled by the solar wind.
Studies show that STEVE tends to occur more frequently during spring and fall than summer and winter. The onset of northern spring seems to lure the arc out of winter hiding. That means *now* is the time to look for STEVE.
STEVE's usual habitat lies between latitudes +50N and +55N; Blanchette's hometown is located squarely in that range: +53N. Recently, however, sky watchers have been seeing STEVE farther north, as high as +63N. Is STEVE's range increasing? Reports and photos are welcomed.
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FAR-OUT MOTHER'S DAY GIFT: Every time the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launch cosmic ray sensors to the stratosphere, they send a little something extra along for the ride. For example, this Northern Lights pendant:
On Dec. 6, 2019, it flew 107,612 feet above the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains of central California.
You can have it for $129.95. The students are selling these pendants as a fund-raiser for their cosmic ray monitoring program. They make great anniversary, birthday and Mother's Day gifts. Each pendant comes with a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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