SOLAR ACTIVITY INTENSIFIES: So far today, sunspot AR2871 has produced two M-class solar flares, an M2 (1528 UT) and an M3 (0442 UT). The more powerful of the two flares is detailed below. Both explosions hurled CMEs into space, but perhaps not directly toward Earth. Glancing blows are possible on Sept. 26-27. Stay tuned for updates as more data become available. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
M-CLASS SOLAR FLARE AND CME (UPDATED): Sunspot AR2871 exploded on Sept 23rd (0442 UT), producing a strong M3-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the extreme ultraviolet flash:
USAF observatories report Type II and Type IV solar radio bursts in the flare's immediate aftermath. This suggests that a CME was produced as well (because such radio bursts typically come from shock waves in a CME's leading edge). If so, the CME is probably heading toward Earth.
UPDATE: Newly-arriving coronagraph images from SOHO confirm that the explosion hurled a CME into space. However, the CME is not heading as directly toward Earth as originally suspected. This first-look movie shows a storm cloud traveling mainly to the south and east of our planet. A glancing-blow might be possible on Sept. 26-27. Stay tuned for additional analysis. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
STERLING SILVER HUMMINGBIRD: This hummingbird has touched space. The sterling silver pendant hitched a ride to the stratosphere onboard an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray research balloon. At the apex of the flight, it floated 111,202 feet above the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California:
You can have it for $142.95. The students are selling hummingbird pendants to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the hummingbird in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space. It makes an out-of-this-world birthday, anniversary, or Christmas gift!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter