DENSE SOLAR WIND SPARKS GEOMAGNETIC UNREST: A dense and strongly magnetized stream of solar wind enveloped Earth for a few hours on July 14th, unsettling our planet's magnetic field (Kp=4). No auroras were reported, probably because of bright summer sunlight. Quiet conditions have resumed on July 15th and are expected to continue for the next 2 to 3 days. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
FARSIDE EXPLOSION TOUCHES EARTH: Imagine an explosion on the farside of the sun so powerful, we could feel it here on Earth. It happened on July 13th. The debris emerged in a circular cloud known as a 'halo CME':
Above: The July 13th CME imaged by SOHO coronagraphs
When space weather forecasters first saw this explosion, there was a moment of excitement. It appeared to be heading directly toward Earth. However, data from NASA's STEREO-A spacecraft indicated otherwise. The CME was heading directly away from us--a farside event.
Now for the interesting part: Although the explosion occured on the farside, separated from Earth by the massive body of the sun, it still peppered our planet with high-energy particles. The Energetic and Relativistic Nuclei and Electron (ERNE) detector onboard SOHO recorded a surge in radiation not long after the CME appeared:
How did this radiation reach Earth? Rami Vainio, a professor of space physics at the University of Turku (Finland), who works with ERNE data says "it’s not possible to answer that question definitely without a detailed analysis involving multiple spacecraft." However, she speculates that the lift-off of the CME may have created a global shock wave on the farside of the sun. Particles spilling over the edge might have spiraled toward our planet.
Of particular interest are the green data points (51 to 100 MeV). These are the most energetic protons ERNE can detect. An uptick in green after the CME indicates unusually "hard" radiation---the kind accelerated in the leading edge of a fast-moving CME.
The source of the blast might have been the same sunspot (AR2838) that produced the first X-flare of Solar Cycle 25 on July 3rd. That sunspot is currently transiting the farside of the sun approximately where the CME came from. Within the next week AR2838 is expected to return--and then, maybe, the real fun begins. Stay tuned!
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LIMITED EDITION MIRROR KIRK (COLLECTOR'S ITEM): In 1967, a transporter accident sent James T. Kirk into a parallel universe, swapping the captain of the Enterprise with his evil twin. We just found him ... in the stratosphere. Here is "Mirror Kirk" floating 95,254 feet high onboard an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have him for $170.10 (the serial number of the Enterprise divided by 10). Inspired by the classic "Mirror, Mirror" episode of Star Trek first broadcast on Oct. 6, 1967, this 8" statue is made of high-quality polystone resin and expertly painted. It comes with a greeting card showing Kirk in flight and a certificate of authenticity.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, only 1000 limited edition Mirror Kirk statues were manufactured and sold at sci-fi conventions in 2016. We've collected a few of these rarities to fly to the stratosphere. Get yours now.
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