GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on Jan. 14-15 in response to glancing blows from one or more CMEs. The storm clouds were hurled into space by the collective activity of many flares earlier this week. None of the CMEs is squarely Earth directed and, in fact, all might miss. This is a low probability forecast. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
POLAR CAP ABSORPTION EVENT: Yesterday, Jan. 13th, Earth-orbiting satellites detected a pulse of energetic protons from the sun. When they hit Earth, a polar cap absorption event (PCA) occured:
Shortwave radio signals around the South Pole were abruptly attentuated. Why? Protons funneled by Earth's magnetic field into the Antarctic atmosphere ionized the D-layer of the ionosphere. This disrupted the normal propagation of radio signals at frequencies below ~30 MHz.
The PCA lasted for hours and would have blacked out radio communications for any airplanes flying over the South Pole. PCAs are a bigger problem when they occur over the North Pole where "great circle" air traffic is busier. The time for *that* is northern summer when the North Pole is tipped toward the sun. More PCAs are in the offing as Solar Cycle 25 intensifies.
EMERGING SUNSPOTS (UPDATED): A phalanx of large sunspots is emerging over the sun's eastern limb. This movie from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows them turning toward Earth on Jan 14th:
We knew they were coming. Their approach was heralded by strong helioseismic echoes from the farside of the sun shown on Spaceweather.com a few days ago.
Sunspot AR3190, on the left, is one of the biggest individual sunspots of Solar Cycle 25. Sunspot complex AR3191-92, on the right, is crackling with M-class solar flares. Soon, the explosions will be geoeffective as Earth enters the strike zone. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
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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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