ACTIVE SUNSPOT TURNS TOWARD EARTH: An active sunspot is emerging over the sun's northeastern limb. It's right here. Yesterday, while it was still hidden, the sunspot unleashed a series of C-class solar flares. The strongest flare (movie) caused a low-frequency radio blackout over the Atlantic Ocean: map. This sunspot should not be confused with a southern-hemisphere active region described below. By the beginning of next week, there could be two active regions facing Earth. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.

FARSIDE CORONAL MASS EJECTION: A bright and fast coronal mass ejection (CME) just exploded away from the sun's southern hemisphere. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) recorded the eruption:

This CME will not hit Earth. The source of the explosion is behind the sun's southeastern limb--probably a hidden sunspot group. Images from NASA's STEREO-A spacecraft can see the active region's ultraviolet glow. Based on its location in farside images, the source of the CME could rotate into view, partially facing Earth, later this weekend. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.

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ARCTIC WOLF SPACE PENDANT: This wolf glows in the dark--and it's been to the edge of space. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched the lupine pendant to the stratosphere on board a cosmic ray research balloon. The payload of radiation sensors and jewelry traveled 107,611 feet above Earth's surface:

You can have it for $99.95. The students are selling these pendants to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the wolf in flight and describing its journey to the stratosphere and back again.

Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education

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