THE CME HAS ARRIVED: The first of two CMEs heading toward Earth has just arrived. It struck our planet on Dec. 31st at 1621 UTC, causing a 17 nT jolt in the USGS's Boulder magnetometer. The impact does not appear potent enough to cause a strong (G3) geomagnetic storm. Instead minor (G1) to moderate (G2) storms are possible in the hours ahead. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
Christopher Mathews witnessed the glow of the CME's impact from Hraunborgir, Iceland:
"Minus 23 degrees C here at my place in south Iceland, but what a great show to end the year!" says Mathews.
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THE SUN IS FLARING: The sun is crackling with solar flares. In the last 48 hours alone it has produced an X-flare, a double X-flare (pictured below), and more than a dozen M-class solar flares:
Repeated pulses of extreme ultraviolet radiation have ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, creating a series of shortwave radio blackouts rolling around all longitudes of our planet. Global ham radio transmissions below 20 MHz have not been very reliable for the last two days.
More flares are in the offing. There are currently five sunspots on the solar disk with mixed-polarity magnetic fields capable of producing M-to-X-class solar flares. NOAA forecasters estimate a 30% chance of additional X-flares on Dec. 31st. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
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GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: A New Year of balloon launches is about to begin, and we need to buy helium! You can help by puchasing a gift from the Earth to Sky Store. It's filled with unique items that have flown to the edge of space onboard cosmic ray research 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 "SOLARMAX2025" at checkout for a 15% holiday discount. All profits support STEM space weather research.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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