GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH--EXTENDED: A CME expected to graze Earth's magnetic field on Feb. 4th did not arrive on time. NOAA forecasters believe it might still be coming. They have extended the watch for G1-class geomagnetic storms through Feb. 5th, just in case. CME impact alerts: SMS Text
HERE COMES THE MARTIAN SUNSPOT: A sunspot so big it is visible from Mars (Perseverence saw it last week) is turning toward Earth today. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory is watching it emerge over the sun's eastern limb:
NOAA has designated this sunspot AR3576. It has half-a-dozen dark cores and a strange tail more than 5 times longer than Earth. If you have eclipse glasses, put them on and look at the sun. You can see this behemoth without magnification.
Because of its location on the sun's far-eastern limb, we can't yet get a good look at the sunspot's magnetic field to assess possible instabilities. However, we already know that the active region is crackling with M-class solar flares:
This activity, plus its formidable size, suggests AR3576 is a threat for even stronger X-flares. Stay tuned. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
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VALENTINE'S GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: Does your sweetheart love space? Shop the Earth to Sky Store for their perfect Valentine's gift. All items have flown to the stratosphere on board cosmic ray research balloons--and from now until Feb. 14th, everything is 10% off:
Each purchase comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again. Don't forget to enter the coupon code "ILOVESPACE" for your Valentine's discount!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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