INEFFECTUAL SUNSPOTS: Solar activity remains low depite a relatively large number of sunspots. For the past five days, more than a dozen sunspot groups have failed to produce anything stronger than a minor C-class solar flare. All of today's sunspots have stable magnetic fields, so the situation is unlikely to change on Jan. 16th. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
WHAT ARCTIC AIR DOES TO THE SUN: This week, the polar vortex spilled into the USA, blanketing the midwest with air as cold as -20°F. This is changing the way the sun looks. Michael Lash sends this picture from Humboldt, Iowa:
"We got a great view of sundogs and a 22-degree halo here in north central Iowa," says Lash. "The high temperature was -9°F."
Lash's photo also captured a parhelic circle with a hint of an upper tangent arc. The sun itself has a diamond shape, no longer circular. All of these phenomena are caused by ice crystals floating in the misplaced Arctic air.
If you live in the area, and dare to go outside, look up at the sun. It may not be as you expect. Submit your photos here.
more images: from Kirsten Lamski of Alexandria, Minnesota; from Carl near Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
VALENTINE'S CRYSTAL BEAR AND ROSE: Valentine's Day is coming. Looking for a far-out gift? This Crystal Bear and Rose flew to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon on Dec. 17th:
You can have it for $129.95. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling space bears to support their high-altitude ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the ursine astronaut in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
Realtime Comet Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter