MINOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A minor G1-class geomagnetic storm is underway on March 21st following the impact of a CME. At first, the CME's arrival at 0230 UT did not spark a geomagnetic storm; its impact was too weak. The current storm began later when Earth encountered a region of south-pointing magnetism within the CME's extended wake. This is the CME hurled into space by a dramatic filament eruption earlier this week. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
A SCATTERED, SHATTERED SUNSPOT: AR3615 isn't like most other sunspots. It looks like it has been stepped on and shattered. Earlier today, Philippe Tosi of Nîmes, France, photographed the sunspot's 40+ cores and inserted a picture of Earth for scale:
Only one or two of the sunspot's primary cores re close in size to Earth. The others are about the size of moons or continents--all scattered like dice over an area some 200,000 km wide.
The unusual complexity of AR3615 is a sign of potential danger. Magnetic poles sprouting from all these cores are crowded; opposite polarities pressed together could reconnect explosively to produce a strong solar flare. Indeed, it would not be a surprise if AR3615 produced an X-flare before the coming weekend is over. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
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THE POLAR VORTEX IS SPINNING BACKWARDS: Earlier this month, atmospheric scientists noticed something unusual in the Arctic stratosphere. The polar vortex was spinning backward.
"The vortex changed direction around March 4th," reports Dr. Amy Butler, author of NOAA's Polar Vortex Blog. "It was a substantial reversal, reaching -20.5 m/s a few days ago, which puts it in the top 6 strongest such events since 1979."
Two weeks later, it is still spinning backwards. What's going on?
"Atmospheric planetary waves have been breaking in the polar stratosphere, increasing its temperature," says Butler. "We call this a 'Sudden Stratospheric Warming' event, and it can cause the vortex to change direction.'"
In recent years, many people have heard the phrase "polar vortex" because of the effect it can have on winter weather. When the polar vortex is strong and stable, it helps confine cold air to polar regions. When the vortex weakens or becomes disturbed, cold air spills out to lower latitudes.
This month's backward vortex has *not* caused an outbreak of winter weather. Instead, it has produced a very strong increase in polar ozone.
The red curve shows how polar ozone has skyrocketed in March 2024.
"Sudden Stratospheric Warming events accelerate the transport of ozone from the tropics to the poles," explains Butler. "Also, warming air helps prevent chemical ozone loss."
The current 'ozone spike' -- the opposite of an ozone hole -- is the biggest in the month of March since record-keeping began in 1979.
Soon, things could return to normal. The vortex's backward-spin is slowing, and "could become westerly again in about 10 days," says Butler. If so, the ozone spike will subside.
Stay tuned for updates from the stratosphere.
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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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