CME SPARKS GEOMAGNETIC STORM (UPDATED): A CME hit Earth's magnetic field on March 21st (0230 UT), sparking a 9-hour-long geomagnetic storm (G1-class). The longevity of the storm was caused by two broad regions of south-pointing magnetism in the CME's wake. As Earth passed through those regions, cracks opened in Earth's magnetic field; solar wind poured in to extend the storm. Red equinox auroras appeared in Australia! Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
A SCATTERED, SHATTERED SUNSPOT (UPDATED): AR3615 isn't like most other sunspots. It looks like it has been stepped on and shattered. Yesterday, 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.
Update: AR3615 is growing rapidly. Take a look at this time-lapse animation from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory:
Since Wednesday, the sunspot group has tripled in size, while losing none of its magnetic complexity. Don't be surprised if there is an X-flare this weekend. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
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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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