CME IMPACT SPARKS MINOR STORM: As predicted, a CME hit Earth's magnetic field on Jan. 4th (0445 UTC). The impact caused approximately 6 hours of minor G1-class geomagnetic storming. Bright auroras were mainly confined inside the Arctic Circle. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
THE SUN IS FLARING AGAIN: Sunspot AR3947 is sizzling with activity. Since yesterday it has produced three X-class solar flares and multiple strong M-flares. NOAA's GOES-16 satellite recorded the extreme ultraviolet and X-ray flashes:
Each flare has produced a shortwave radio blackout on Earth. Almost all longitudes of our planet have experienced intermittent loss of signal below 20 MHz during local daylight hours. Long-distance propagation has been very unreliable.
Remarkably, no significant CMEs have emerged. For some reason, these explosions have not lifted much material out of the sun's atmosphere. Future blasts may behave differently, however, and the activity shows no sign of abating as the sunspot turns toward Earth. Stay tuned! Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
more images: from Andy Devey of Mojacar, Spain; from Pepe Manteca of Begues, Catalonia, Spain
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MOON-VENUS CONJUNCTION: On Jan. 3rd when the sun set over Europe, sky watchers saw something rare and beautiful. "The Moon and Venus were shining bright side-by-side," says Gwenael Blanck, who photographed the conjunction from Paris, France:
"The icing on the cake was the beautiful Earthshine visible on the Moon," says Blanck. "A thin veil of clouds did not ruin the show, on the contrary it added an artistic accent to the picture I took."
Another rare and beautiful conjunction is happening tonight. On Jan. 4th, the Moon will approach and completely cover Saturn over Europe. Click here for details.
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GIFTS FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE: A New Year of balloon launches is beginning, 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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