GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH--UPDATE: A CME is going to hit Earth's magnetic field during the late hours of Feb. 9th, according to updated NOAA forecast models. The impact could spark G1-class geomagnetic storms. The CME was hurled in our direction yesterday by a long-duration solar flare (AR2939). The explosion peaked at category C3, which is considered to be weak. However, the flare made up for its low amplitude by lasting for more than 3 hours; it put more power into the CME than its feeble C3 rating might suggest. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
HUGE SOLAR PROMINENCE: Got a solar telescope? Point it at the sun's southeastern limb. A huge solar prominence is surging there, big enough to swallow Jupiter. Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau sends this picture from Rafaela, Argentina:
"I did not want to miss out on photographing this amazing prominence," says Poupeau. "It changed shape during the weekend--a lot--and now it looks like a pine tree."
The structure might not last long. Fast-changing prominences like this one can explode with little warning. The time to take pictures is now. (Submit them here.)
more images: from Stuart Green of Preston, Lancashire, UK; from David Hoskin of Halifax, Nova Scotia; from Efrain Morales Rivera of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; from John Chumack of Dayton, Ohio; from Francisco A. Rodriguez of the Canary Islands; from Günter Kleinschuster of Feldbach, Austria; from Thierry Legault of Versailles, France; from Frank J. Melillo of Holtsville, NY; from Carl Bracken of Ely, Iowa;
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VALENTINE'S GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: Does your sweetheart love space? Their perfect Valentine's gift may be in the Earth to Sky Store. All items in the store have flown to the edge of space on board cosmic ray research balloons. From now until Feb. 14th, everything is 10% off:
Each purchase comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again. Don't forget to enter the coupon code "ILOVESPACE" for your Valentine's discount!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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