GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: Earth's magnetic field is about to receive a double blow--first from a solar wind stream, then from a CME, both arriving around Feb. 27th. The solar wind stream is flowing from an equatorial hole in the sun's atmosphere. The CME was launched by yesterday's "chain reaction" explosion, described below. Their arrival could spark category G1 (Minor) to G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storms with auroras in northern-tier US states. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
A "CHAIN REACTION" EXPLOSION ON THE SUN: A magnetic filament connected to sunspot AR3229 erupted on Feb. 24th, producing a chain reaction of events that could lead to a geomagnetic storm on Earth. The action began at 1949 UTC when the filament rose up and sliced through the sun's atmosphere:
The violent liftoff destabilized sunspot AR3229, sparking a long duration M3-class solar flare (2030 UTC). Radiation from the flare, in turn, ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, blacking out shortwave radio transmissions around the Pacific Ocean: map. Mariners and ham radio operators may have noticed loss of signal at frequencies below 25 MHz for as much as an hour after the explosion.
Next, a CME emerged from the blast site. Coronagraph images from SOHO show a lopsided halo with an Earth-directed component:
Type II solar radio emissions from the leading edge of the CME suggest a departure speed of 1200 km/s (2.7 million mph). The flank of the fast-moving cloud could reach Earth on Feb. 27th. NOAA analysts are modeling the CME now, so stay tuned for a refined forecast.
There's more: Shock waves inside the CME accelerated protons to nearly light speed, and they have already reached Earth. Our planet's magnetic field is funneling the particles toward the poles where a second type of radio blackout is underway--a polar cap absorption (PCA) event. Airplanes flying over these regions may find that their shortwave radios won't work due to the ionizing effect of infalling protons: map.
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"ALWAYS AND FOREVER" SPACE PENDANT: Are you looking for a romantic gift? Consider the Always and Forever Space Pendent. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $199.95. Engraved with the words "I love you always and forever", this 18K gold-plated pendant has a heart-shaped citrine crystal in the middle surrouunded by a ring of glittering 5A cubic zirconia nuggets. It is a visually striking premium pendant that makes a once-in-a-lifetime anniversary or birthday gift.
The students are selling space pendants to pay the helium bill for their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight and telling the story of its trip to the stratosphere and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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