WEEKEND GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: A minor G1-class geomagnetic storm is underway on Sept. 2nd as Earth moves through a high-speed stream of solar wind. This storm is unrelated to two CMEs approaching Earth--one that left the sun on Aug. 30th, and another launched on Sept. 1st. The arrival of those CMEs on Sept. 3rd could extend the current storm and possibly enhance it to category G2. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
Despite the light of the waning supermoon, multiple observers in northern-tier US states saw auroras on Sept. 2nd. Todd Salat sends this report from Anchorage, Alaska: "As I looked up in awe from our back deck, I saw beautiful auroras dance straight overhead."
"Two myths are put to rest here; 1) You can see the auroras from the city, 2) You can see them despite the bright 92% full supermoon coming up at the bottom of the picture," says Salat. "If it’s clear & dark, nothing can stop a big aurora show when they are right on top of you."
more images: from Tom Childress of Rugby, North Dakota
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SUPER BLUE MOON: This week's Super Blue Moon was certainly the most photographed moon of the year, with pictures still pouring in days later. One of the best so far comes from Jordi L. Coy of Seville, Spain:
"It was a great spectacle to observe the Blue Moon over 'La Giralda,' one of the most famous monuments in Spain," says Coy.
La Giralda, the bell tower of the Great Mosque of Seville, has been waiting almost a thousand years for this blue Moon to rise behind it. The Minaret was completed in March 1198 during the time of Moorish Spain. It has been one of the most important symbols of the city since the Middle Ages.
Coy's photo was worth the wait! Browse the Super Blue Moon Gallery for more spectacular shots from around the world.
STERLING SILVER STARCAT: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Introducing the Sterling SIlver StarCat Pendant. On July 14th, it hitched a ride to the stratosphere onboard an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $169.95. The silver feline form is wrapped around a genuine moonstone with a matching 18 inch Italian sterling silver chain. It is 100% hypoallergenic.
The students of Earth to Sky 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 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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