NEAR-MISS CMEs ARE COMING: Geomagnetic unrest is possible on Dec. 17th when one or more CMEs are expected to pass close to Earth. The near misses will probably fall short of sparking a full-fledged geomagnetic storm. Nevertheless, auroras could fill the Arctic Circle as the solar storm clouds pass by. CME impact alerts: SMS Text
FULL MOON CORONA: Sometimes the best thing about a bright full Moon is what goes on around it. Last night, in Wilmington, UK, Honor Wheeler photographed this beautiful lunar corona:
The bright "star" in the lower right is Jupiter
Lunar coronas are caused by water droplets in clouds. When the droplets are a jumble of different sizes, they produce a straw-colored ring--an aureole. When the droplets are all of the same size they produce a rainbow-colored ring--a pure corona. Look for both tonight.
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A HUGE PROMINENCE ON THE SUN: If you have a solar telescope, point it at the sun's western limb. "There's a huge prominence on the sun today," reports Chris Schur, who sends this picture from Payson, Arizona:
The glowing structure stands taller than 10 planet Earths and stretches more than 400,000 km along the arc of the solar disk. These dimensions make it an easy target for backyard solar telescopes. Even better--it is poised to erupt. Those long red streamers in Schur's photo are held aloft by unstable magnetic fields. The next photo could be a blast...
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CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: Christmas is coming. Are you looking for a far-out gift? Check out the Earth to Sky Store. It's filled with unique items that have flown to the edge of space onboard cosmic ray research balloons.
Carried aloft by giant helium balloons, these unique gifts have flown above 99.7% of Earth's atmosphere, experiencing space-like blasts of cosmic rays, extreme cold, and a wild ride parachuting back to Earth after the balloon explodes. Even Amazon doesn't carry items this far out.
Don't forget to enter coupon code "BLACKCAT" at checkout for a 10% holiday discount.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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