A SUNSPOT OF INTEREST: A new sunspot is emerging on the sun's central meridian, directly facing Earth. Numbered AR3421, the active region has a mixed polarity .magnetic field that could harbor energy for geoeffective flares. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
AS PREDICTED, A GEOMAGNETIC STORM: We predicted a G2-class geomagnetic storm on Sept. 2nd, and it happened. The question is, why? At least one CME was supposed to hit Earth's magnetic field, yet solar wind data show no clear signs of a CME impact. Whatever the reason for the storm, it sparked mid-latitude auroras in the USA.
"What an amazing night!" says Terri L Norris who photographed the display from Mackinaw City, Michigan (+45.8N):
"Knowing that a storm was coming, we arrived at Old Mackinaw Lighthouse Point well before sundown and shot lots of pics of folks enjoying the sunset," says Norris. "Just before 9pm, we caught our first glimpse of the aurora. It was a tear-jerking moment. It became intense enough for us to see some pillars with our naked eyes before the Moon rose and washed out the display."
At the apex of the storm during the early hours of Sept. 3rd, auroras spread as far south as Colorado (+38.9N) and Missouri (+38.6N). In these southernmost photographs, auroras were not visible to the naked eye, but easily recorded by cameras and cell phones with nighttime exposure settings.
Back to the origin of the storm: It is possible that a CME arrived on Sept. 2nd, but its weak impact was masked by an unsettled stream of solar wind already blowing around Earth. At this time of year, even weak CMEs do a good job sparking auroras--a result of the Russell-McPherron effect which boosts geomagnetic activity around the equinoxes. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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18K GOLD "ALWAYS AND FOREVER" PENDANT: Are you looking for an unforgettable gift? Consider the Always and Forever Space Pendent. On Aug. 29, 2023, 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 sterling silver pendant has a heart-shaped ruby crystal in the middle surrounded 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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