A CRACK IN EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD: During the early hours of July 22nd (0330 - 1000 UT) a crack opened in Earth's magnetic field: data. Solar wind poured in, fueling a period of geomagnetic unrest (Kp=4). So far no reports of auroras have been received, probably due to the glare of northern summer sunlight. Quiet conditions have since resumed. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: A filament of magnetism near sunspot AR2846 erupted on July 20th, hurling a CME into space. Normally, the location of the blast site would rule out an impact on Earth. However, the explosion's debris squirted out sideways:
Modeling by NOAA suggests that the edge of the CME will strike Earth's magnetic field late on July 23rd, potentially sparking minor G1-class geomagnetic storms. This forecast is very uncertain, however; the CME is just as likely to miss entirely. If it does arrive, high-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras this weekend. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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A BEAGLE AT THE EDGE OF SPACE: Snoopy has been to the stratosphere. On July 16, 2021, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched everyone's favorite Beagle onboard a cosmic ray research balloon. Here is astronaut Snoopy floating more than 105,315 feet above Earth's surface:
You can have it for $99.95. It's Peanuts for a cup from space! The students are selling Snoopy cups to support their cosmic ray monitoring program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the cup in flight and telling the story of its trip to the stratosphere and back again.
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Realtime Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery
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