GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH (G1-CLASS): A CME is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field on March 28th. The impact could spark minor G1-class storms with high-latitude auroras boosted by the the Russell-McPherron effect. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
SUNSPOT GENESIS IN ACTION: Sunspot complex AR2975-AR2976 is turning toward Earth and growing rapidly. This movie from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows 12 hours of development on March 27th:
In only half a day, the sunspot group added more than a dozen dark cores scattered across 30,000 km of the sun's surface. Newly-created regions of magnetism are now bumping together, + vs. -, setting the stage for explosive magnetic reconnection. If a solar flare occurs, it will be Earth-directed.
Some of the spots in this group are huge, many times wider than Earth. This makes them easy targets for solar telescopes. Michael Teoh of Penang, Malaysia, took this picture using a 9-inch refractor on March 27th:
The sunspot's dark core is surrounded by a sea of Texas-sized granules-- bubbles of plasma that rise and fall on the sun's boiling surface. "I was able to see this level of detail using a Lunt White Light Solar Wedge," says Teoh.
Amateur astronomers are encouraged to monitor this dynamic sunspot group. Expensive solar filters are not required. The sunspots are so big, you can use simple projection techniques to see them with no danger of eye damage. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
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TEARDROP INFINITY MOONSTONE: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Consider the Teardrop Infinity Mooonstone. This one hitched a ride to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research ballooin on March 24, 2022::
You can have it for $172.95. The moonstone's sterling silver infinity wrap is inscribed with the words "I love you forever." It makes a great Mother's Day, anniversary or birthday gift. The moonstone comes with a greeting card showing the pendant in flight, telling the story of its trip to the edge of space and back again.
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