CHANCE OF FLARES: Don't be surprised if there's an X-class solar flare today. Active sunspot AR3947 has a 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field that harbors energy for strong explosions. Indeed, it has already produced three X-flares since Jan. 3rd. NOAA estimates a 25% chance of another one today. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
MID-LATITUDE AURORAS IN EUROPE: 2024 was a big year for space weather. NOAA and NASA announced that Solar Max has arrived, and photographer Petr Horálek saw the proof in the skies of central Europe:
"In 2024, more than 30 auroras were recorded from Central Europe. I was lucky to capture them across Czechia and Slovakia (latitude ~50 degrees north). In this collection, circles mark the dates of each display on a vertical timeline, with larger circles denoting better naked-eye visibility."
"The colors show the intensity of the observed aurora during the time of the observation," he says. "While dark orange refers to active geomagnetic storms (G2), bright orange refers to the strong ones (up to G3), and red colors the severe to extreme ones (G4+). Also, you can see some of the auroras occured during the Perseid meteor shower."
2025 could be much the same. Solar Max typically lasts 2 to 3 years, and solar activity has shown few signs of slowing down. Stay tuned! Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
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
Realtime Comet Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter