CME IMPACT SPARKS GEOMAGNETIC STORM (UPDATED): Earth's magnetic field is storming again as our planet passes through the wake of a CME that struck during the early hours of March 15th (0428 UT). Storm levels are currently flickering between category G1 and G2. So far auroras have been sighted iin New Zealand and several northern-tier US states. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
POLAR CAP ABSORPTION EVENT IN PROGRESS: Don't try to use a shortwave radio inside the Arctic Circle this week. It might not work. A deep polar cap absorption (PCA) event is in progress:
Red zones in this global map show where shortwave transmissions are being absorbed. Frequencies below 15 MHz are almost completely blacked out, while anything below 35 MHz is being attentuated, at least a little.
What's causing this? Protons accelerated by Monday's extremely rare CME are still hitting our planet 3 days later. Earth's magnetic field funnels these particles toward the poles where their ionizing effect causes the absorption of shortwave radio. The PCA is intensifying; you can can monitor its progress here.
FARSIDE SUNSPOTS: The source of Monday's extremely rare CME is still a mystery, but we have two suspects. Helioseismic maps reveal a pair of active regions (probably large sunspot groups) on the farside of the sun:
Both of these regions are located at about the right longitude to explain the CME, which SOHO saw leaving the farside of sun faster than 3000 km/s (6.7 million mph) on March 13th.
If the CME had been heading for Earth, we would be bracing for a strong geomagnetic storm right now. That might happen next week instead. The two farside active regions will rotate around to the Earthside of the sun within 7 days, potentially bringing potent sunspots into our planet's "strike zone." Stay tuned. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
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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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