THE LAST AURORAS OF 2022? The year could end with an Arctic light show. NOAA forecasters say there is a chance of G1-class geomagnetic storms on Dec. 30-31 when a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. CIRs are transition zones between fast- and slow-moving solar wind streams. They often contain shock waves that do a good job sparking auroras. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
BIG FARSIDE SUNSPOTS:You might suppose that the farside of the sun is hidden from view. However, researchers using a technique called "helioseismology" can make crude maps of the sun's hidden hemisphere. Their latest map reveals multiple farside active regions:
The black blobs are probably sunspot groups--big ones. The first of the three will rotate onto the Earthside of the sun this weekend, followed by the other two next week. This could bring an uptick in geoeffective solar activity. Stay tuned! Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
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LUNAR OCCULTATION OF MARS: Mark your calendar. On Jan. 30-31, 2023, the Moon will pass directly in front of Mars, producing an occultation visible across southern US states, all of Mexico and Central America.
At the time of the occultation, the gibbous Moon will be 74% illuminated. Mars will disappear behind the unilluminated side of the Moon and reappear from behind the illuminated side. Because Mars is so bright, it can be seen even near the bright edge of the Moon. Photo-op!
In Los Angeles, Mars will disappear at 20:36 PST and reappear at 21:30 PST on Jan. 30th. To find your local times, visit in-the-sky.org and set the location to your home town.
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THE NORTHERN LIGHTS PENDANT: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Consider this: The Northern Lights Pendant. Here it is, hitching a ride to the stratosphere onboard an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray balloon:
You can have it for $129.95. The students are selling these pendants to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the pendant in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space. It makes an out-of-this-world birthday, anniversary, or Mother's Day gift!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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