PROTONS ARE RAINING DOWN ON EARTH: Solar protons are raining down on Earth's upper atmosphere today following a March 14th explosion from departing sunspot AR3599. This is causing a polar cap absorption event. Shortwave radio transmissions inside the Arctic Circle are being absorbed by the ionizing effect of the protons: realtime blackout map.
AURORAS LOVE EQUINOXES: The vernal equinox is only 4 days away. That's good news, because auroras love equinoxes. Researchers call it the "Russell-McPherron effect." At this time of year, cracks form in Earth's magnetic field, allowing even weak gusts of solar wind to spark a good display. Here's an example last night from 35,000 ft:
"While flying on the Dreamliner from Calgary to Paris, I witnessed an amazing display of auroras near Rankin Inlet in Canada," reports pilot Matt Melnyk. "At times we were so far north, I could see the aurora to the south! The flight deck is the best office view in the world." Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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STEVE LOVES EQUINOXES, TOO: STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) is not an aurora, but it loves equinoxes, too. The reason is the same. Cracks in Earth's magnetic field let solar wind inside, and geomagnetic storms ensue. Plasma currents flowing like ribbons through Earth's disturbed magnetosphere glow purple in the night sky:
Fred Hirschmann saw this example of STEVE over Glacier View, Alaska, on March 13th. "My wife, Randi, and I went outside for a midnight feeding of our outdoor wood furnace," he says. "Randi noticed a dim narrow band of light stretching from horizon to horizon overhead. I told her that might be STEVE, and I ran inside to grab my camera. Sure enough, a ten second exposure at f2.8 and ISO 1600 revealed the telltale purple color of this phenomenon."
After the sighting, Hirschmann checked the solar wind data on Spaceweather.com. "The magnetic field of the incoming solar wind had turned south for a couple of hours," he noted. This is exactly the condition that opens a "equinox crack".
With the vernal equinox less than a week away, high-latitude sky watchers should be alert for both STEVE and auroras. Happy Spring!
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18K GOLD "LOVE YOU TO THE MOON" LOCKET: This is a very special locket. It's heart-shaped, plated with 18K gold, and we will fly it again during this year's total eclipse of the sun. Keep reading...
On Jan. 26, 2024, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched this locket to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon. At the apex of the flight, it floated 111,535 feet above the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California:
Buy it now for $149.95, and we'll fly it again--FOR FREE--during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. The students will be launching multiple balloons from the path of totality in Texas. Your pendant will go along for the ride, touching the shadow of the Moon at the edge of space. (Simply type "FLY IT AGAIN" in the comments box at checkout.)
The locket, which opens to hold a personal photo or other small item, comes with a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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