CME ALERT: A CME might be heading for Earth. It was hurled into space on Jan 14th (1333 UT) by a C4-class explosion in the magnetic canopy of southern sunspot AR2925. Shortly thereafter, SOHO coronagraphs detected a partial halo CME: movie. Given the CME's southern trajectory, much of it will miss Earth. Nevertheless, say NOAA forecasters, a glancing blow is possible "late on Jan 16th to midday on Jan. 17th." Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
UNDERSEA VOLCANIC ERUPTION SEEN FROM SPACE: An undersea volcano erupted today, Jan. 15th, near the Pacific island of Tonga, sending large tsunami waves crashing on shore and people rushing to higher ground. Japan's Himawari-8 weather satellite recorded this dramatic video:
It shows a huge plume of ash, steam and gas rising like a mushroom above the blue Pacific waters. "Not only that, but also an atmospheric shock wave can be seen," points out M. Shiraishi, who created the animation for the Space Weather Gallery. "The terminator between daylight and night caught up with the shock wave. This means the terminator runs faster than the speed of sound."
The shockwave was recorded as a sudden uptick in air pressure as far away as Alaska, Belize and multiple locations in Florida. The global wave is expected to converge on southern Algeria, giving an especially strong signal there.
High-altitude balloon and satellite measurements indicate that the exhaust plume has reached the stratosphere, as high as 60,000 feet. Ash and sulfurous compounds spreading through the stratosphere could create unusual sunsets in the evenings ahead. Stay tuned for sightings.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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G2-CLASS GEOMAGNETIC STORM: Surprising forecasters, on Jan 14th a crack opened in Earth's magnetic field. Solar wind poured through the gap to spark a G2-class geomagnetic storm. The timing favored observers in Europe, where auroras spilled across the Arctic Circle as far south as Germany:
"Despite the brightly shining Moon, it was possible to see auroras with the naked eye," says photographer Laura Kranich, who watched the display from Kiel. "Solar Cycle 25 seems to be a really good one considering that the maximum is still at least two years away."
The lights were also visible from Poland, England, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden.
Intermittent G1-class geomagnetic storming could continue on Jan. 15th and 16th as Earth enters a high-speed stream of solar wind. The gaseous material is flowing from a southern hole in the sun's atmosphere. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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"I LOVE YOU MORE" MOONSTONE PENDANT: Valentine's Day is coming! Nothing says "I love you" like a moonstone from space. This one hitched a ride on an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray research balloon, floating 112,201 feet above the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California:
You can have it for $142.95. The students are selling these sterling silver infinity-wrapped moonstone pendants to support their ballooning program. Engraved with "I Love You More," it makes a romantic Valentine's gift. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the moonstone in flight and telling the story of its trip to the stratosphere and back again.
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