EARTH-DIRECTED CME: Breaking almost 2 weeks of quiet, a magnetic filament erupted on the sun today, hurling a CME toward Earth. According to a NASA model, the CME will arrive on Jan. 22nd after 1800 UT. Its impact could cause G1 to G2-class geomagnetic storms. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
POLAR STRATOSPHERE TEMPERATURE REPORT: Anyone who saw last month's spectacular outbreak of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) will welcome this news: The icy clouds could return in late January--if the air up there gets cold enough. NASA climate models suggest that a cooling trend is underway:
Normally, the stratosphere has no clouds at all. But when the temperature drops to a staggeringly-low -85 C (188 K), widely-spaced water molecules coalesce into ice crystals and Type II PSCs begin to form. Their aurora-like colors make them the most beautiful clouds on Earth.
There are two types of polar stratospheric clouds--the good and the bad. Type I PSCs are bad. Composed of nitric and sulphuric acids, Type I clouds are visually unspectacular and, worse, they destroy stratospheric ozone. Type II PSCs are good. They are made of pure ice, harmless and beautifully colored.
If NASA's forecast is correct, the polar stratosphere will soon be in the zone for Type I PSCs. Continued cooling could bring forth Type II PSCs--the desired result for sky watchers. Stay tuned.
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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
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