A CME JUST HIT EARTH: Unexpectedly, a CME hit Earth's magnetic field today, May 6th, at around 01:00 UT. The impact sparked a G2-class geomagnetic storm with auroras visible in Canada and at least three northern-tier US states. Harlan Thomas witnessed the surprising display over Gayford Pond northeast of Calgary, Alberta:
"A auroral corona of this magnitude is very rare for our latitude," says Thomas. "It extended from the eastern to western horizon, and I was in complete awe!"
NOAA analysts believe the CME may have come from a previously disregarded solar explosion on May 2nd. Although its arrival was a surprise, subscribers to our Space Weather Alert Service still received a text alert within minutes of impact. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
more images: from Thomas Bensenhaver of Walpole, New Hampshire; from Sam C. of Ogdensburg, New York
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AND ANOTHER CME IS ON THE WAY: A three-day outburst of M-class solar flares on May 3rd, 4th and 5th, hurled so many CMEs into space that analysts had trouble sorting them out. NOAA has determined that at least one is heading for Earth. Click to play their animated forecast model:
If this model is correct, the CME will hit Earth's magnetic field on May 7th around 2100 UT. The impact could spark minor (G1) to moderate (G2) geomagnetic storms. An unrelated stream of solar wind might also contribute to the geomagnetic activity. During G2-class storms auroras have been sighted in the USA as far south as New York and Oregon. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
Update: This NOAA model replaces an earlier one which had the CME arriving on May 8th at 1800 UT. The difference between the two models gives a sense of the uncertainty in the CME's predicted arrival time. Aurora chasers should be prepared for an impact on either May 7th or 8th.
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STERLING SILVER SIERRA MOONRISE PENDANT: Are you looking for a far-out Mother's Day gift? Consider the Sierra Moonrise Pendant. It flew to the edge of space on April 15, 2023, floating on a cosmic ray balloon 117,400 feet above the historically-snowy Sierra Nevada mountains of California:
You can have it for $179.95. The sterling silver pendant shows the craggy Sierra range with a full Moonstone rising overhead. It makes a great birthday, anniversary or Mother's day gift.
The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling space 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 stratosphere and back again
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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