INCREASING CHANCE OF FLARES: There are now 3 sunspots facing Earth with unstable 'delta-class' magnetic fields: AR3181, 82 and 83. NOAA forecasters say there is a 40% chance of M-class solar flares and a 20% chance of X-flares on Jan. 8th. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
CHANCE OF FLARES TODAY: NOAA forecasters say there is a 20% chance of X-class solar flares today. If it happens, it will probably come from sunspot AR3182, now turning to face Earth:
AR3182 has already produced X-class events on Jan. 3rd and Jan 6th, so another one would be in character. Of equal interest is sunspot AR3181, which has doubled in size in the past 24 hours and is now directly facing Earth. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
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FULL WOLF MOON: There was a full Moon last night, and according to folklore it has a special name: The Wolf Moon. Dr. Tony Phillips watched it rise from the back of a dog sled in California's Eastern Sierra:
"I forgot my headlamp at home," he says. "No problem. The Wolf Moon provided all the illumination we needed. Watching the huskies's moon shadows race across the snow was a magical experience."
more images: from Dr. Sebastian Voltmer at the Mont-Blanc massif in France; from V. Liard Photography of Epernay, France;
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VALENTINE'S CRYSTAL BEAR AND ROSE: Valentine's Day is coming. Looking for a far-out gift? This Crystal Bear and Rose flew to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon on Dec. 17th:
You can have it for $129.95. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling space bears to support their high-altitude ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the ursine astronaut in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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