GEOMAGNETIC UNREST: A CME hit Earth's magnetic field on Aug. 20th at 1812 UT. The weak impact caused an episode of geomagnetic unrest (Kp=4) but not a full-fledged geomagnetic storm. Another similar CME is expected to arrive on Aug. 21st, and it could push Earth's magnetosphere over the threshold of minor G1-class storming. High-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
HELIANTHUS BOREALIS: Earth's magnetosphere is buzzing with activity. At least three CMEs have hit since Aug. 17th, none with great force, but together sufficient to spark multiple geomagnetic storms and substorms. On Aug. 20th, auroras spilled over the Canadian border into North Dakota:
Photographer Elon Gane watched the lights spread over a field of Helianthus annuus--the common sunflower. "The auroras were faint to the naked eye but showed up very nicely in my camera!" says Gane. "They flashed up brightly for about 10 min at 1:30am--and that's when I took the shot."
More auroras may be in the offing. Another CME is expected to graze Earth's magnetic field on Aug. 21st, and NOAA forecasters say there is a chance of G1-class geomagnetic storms on both Aug. 21st and 22nd. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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STERLING SILVER FROLICKING DOLPHIN: On Feb. 28, 2022, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a cosmic ray research balloon. This sterling silver dolphin hitched a ride, flying 111,101 feet above the Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California:
You can have it for $142.95. Leaping through blue crystal waves, the playful cetacean is 100% 925 sterling silver. It comes with a matching 18-inch sterling silver chain The entire pendant is lead-free, nickel-free, cadmium-free, and totally hypoallergenic.
Each pendant comes with a greeting card showing the dolphin in flight, and telling the story of its trip to the edge of space and back again. All sales support the student's cosmic ray research program.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Noctilucent Cloud Photo Gallery
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Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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