A GLANCING-BLOW CME IS COMING (UPDATED): Sunspot AR3335 exploded on June 18th, producing an M2.5-class solar flare (new movie) and a minor shortwave radio blackout over the Atlantic Ocean (map). The explosion lasted long enough to lift a CME out of the sun's atmosphere. NOAA has modeled the CME and determined that it could deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on June 21-22. CME alerts: SMS Text
POSSIBLE MID-LATITUDE NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS: Since late May, the NOAA-21 satellite has been monitorig a buildup of noctilucent clouds (NLCs) around the North Pole. On June 17th, the clouds may have spilled all the way down to mid-latitudes:
"[Our latest map] shows lines of faint clouds extending down to 40 N," says Matt DeLand of Science Systems and Applications, Inc, who processed the data. "I'm not sure I believe these are all real clouds, because they show up in only one of three slits [in the satellite's OMPS Limb Profiler instrument]." Daily maps later this week may provide confirmation.
NLCs are clouds of frosted meteor smoke. They form every year in summer when wisps of water vapor rise up to the edge of space and crystalize on the surfaces of disintegrated meteoroids. Often, the clouds are most widespread during nights around the summer solstice, with sightings in recent years as far south as Spain and southern California.
Above: Noctilucent clouds over Scotland on June 16th. Credit: Alan C Tough
With this year's northern summer solstice only 2 days away, the timing is right for mid-latitude NLCs. NOAA-21's detections may indeed be real. Stay tuned for updates in the days ahead and, meanwhile, be alert for noctilucent clouds.
Realtime NLC Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
APOLLO 11 PROOF SILVER DOLLAR: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Consider this: On July 20, 2019 (the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing), the students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew this rare proof silver dollar to the stratosphere:
The US Mint created Apollo 11 coins to celebrate the first Moon landing--but you can no longer buy them from the Mint. You can, however, get one from Earth to Sky Calculus. The students are selling the collector's item for $259.95 to support their cosmic ray ballooning program.
The silver dollar is curved and reproduces the helmet of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Reflected in Buzz's visor are Neil Armstrong, the United States flag, and the lunar lander. The opposite side of the coin shows Neil's iconic footprint on the Moon. Included is a greeting card showing the coin in flight and a certificate of authenticity.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter