GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING: A large hole in the sun's atmosphere is facing Earth and spewing solar wind in our direction. Estimated time of arrival: Sept. 29th. NOAA forecasters say that G2-class geomagnetic storms are possible when the gaseous material arrives. Northern Lights could descend into the USA as far south as Michigan, Montana and the Dakotas. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
AN OUTBURST OF PINK AURORAS: Auroras are usually green. Not last night, though. "They were the pinkest of all pinks!" reports tour guide Markus Varik, who sends this picture from Tromsø, Norway:
"The display was simply phenomenal," says Varik. "There were vibrant greens, purples, and yellows--but pink stole the show."
Pink is significant. It means that particles from space are descending lower than usual in Earth's atmosphere. Green auroras happen when electrons strike oxygen atoms 100 to 200 km above Earth's surface. Pink appears when the electrons burrow deeper, striking nitrogen molecules at the 100 km level and below.
Electrons from space are penetrating so deeply because of cracks in Earth's magnetic field. Yes, magnetic cracks. NASA has been studying them for years. They tend to form during weeks around equinoxes--a phenomenon called "the Russell-McPherron effect." Solar wind flows through the cracks to fuel strong geomagnetic storms.
"I can't wait to see what the nights ahead will bring," says Varik. Stay tuned.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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ZEN ASTRONAUT AT THE EDGE OF SPACE: Is 2020 stressing you out? Find your zen ... at the edge of space. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a cosmic ray balloon to the stratosphere, and this meditating spaceman pendant went along for the ride:
You can have one for $99.95. They make great gifts for space fans and are guaranteed to soothe. Each premium stainless steel pendant comes with a greeting card showing the astronaut in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Mars Photo Gallery
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Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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