MINOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A minor G1-class geomagnetic storm is underway on June 15th as a solar wind stream buffets Earth's magnetic field. The gaseous material is flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras, especially in the southern hemisphere where autumn darkness favors visibility. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS AT 38,000 FT: Would you like to see a cloud of frosted meteor smoke? Observing tip: Take a plane to the Arctic Circle. Brian McDonough was almost there on June 15th when he saw these NLCs from the window seat:
"I was on the overnight British Airlines flight from JFK to Heathrow,:" says McDonough. "I was trying to take a few photos of the Big Dipper when an otherworldly blue glow appeared in front of the wing. It grew into such an amazing display I could not stop watching until the sun rose."
NLCs are Earth's highest clouds. They form when summertime wisps of water vapor rise to the edge of space (~83 km high) and crystallize around disintegrated meteoroids. At the moment NLCs are mostly confined inside the Arctic Circle, but tendrils of electric-blue are starting to leak out to lower latitudes as McDonough witnessed from 38,000 feet.
"I have seen such great photos of these clouds in Spaceweather.com's Gallery and yearned to see them for myself one day," says McDonough. "Well I finally have and it was such a gift!"
Realtime Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery
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FATHER'S DAY GIFTS FROM SPACE: What do you get the dad who has everything? Consider a gift from the edge of space. Every item in the Earth to Sky Store has flown to the top of Earth's atmosphere onboard a cosmic ray balloon, and they're all 10% off between now and Father's Day (June 20th).
Each gift comes with a unique greeting card showing the item in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again. Cosmic ray data collected during the flights form a unique record of radiation in Earth's atmosphere--100% gathered and analyzed by young scientists. Sales support the students and their high-altitude ballooning program.
Don't forget to use the coupon code LUKEIAMYOURFATHER at checkout for a 10% Father's Day discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter