GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING: NOAA forecasters say that G2-class geomagnetic storms are possible on April 25th when a coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. The CME was hurled in our direction yesterday by a C3.8-class flare from sunspot AR2816 (details below). If the geomagnetic storm occurs as predicted, auroras could dip into northern-tier US states from Maine to Washington. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
A 'SPACE ANGEL' OVER FLORIDA: SpaceX has done it again. This morning at 5:49 a.m. EDT, a Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral carrying 4 astronauts to the International Space Station. "It was a spectacular launch, reports Pete Lardizabal, who took this picture from St Johns, Florida:
"The pulsing exhaust from the Falcon 9 booster created a 'Space Angel' from our perspective here on the good Earth," he says. Other readers saw the launch, too, from as far away as North and South Carolina and West Virginia.
The astronauts are now in orbit and are scheduled to dock with the ISS early Saturday morning. Updates @ NASA.gov.
SOLAR TSUNAMI AND CME: Earth-facing sunspot AR2816 exploded on April 22nd (0435 UT), producing a C3.8-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded a dramatic shock wave rippling away from the blast site:
This is a "solar tsunami." It is a wave of hot plasma and magnetism, about 100,000 km tall, racing outward at approximately 250 km/s (560,000 mph). Such waves are usually associated with the launch of coronal mass ejections (CMEs)--and indeed, one has been observed.
Coronagraphs onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) detected a CME billowing away from the sun hours after the flare. It is faint but definitely Earth-directed:
The initial velocity of the CME was ~760 km/s. Based on its speed and other factors, NOAA forecasters believe that the CME will reach Earth on April 25th, potentially sparking G2-class geomagnetic storms. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
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MOTHER'S DAY IS MAY 9TH: Are you looking for an out-of-this world Mother's Day gift? Consider this: Every time the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launch a cosmic ray balloon, they include something extra in the payload--something Mom will love:
Every item in the Earth to Sky Store has flown to the edge of space and comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight. The interior of the card tells the story of the gift's journey from launch to landing. Mom-satisfaction guaranteed!
Mother's Day Special: Use coupon code "SPACEMOM" at checkout for a 10% discount. Offer valid from now until Mother's Day (May 9, 2021) .
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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