WHEN IS THE NEXT SUPERSTORM? Last May's geomagnetic superstorm lit up most of Earth's surface with beautiful auroras. When will it happen again? A new paper published in the research journal Space Weather calculates the odds. Using an extreme value statistical analysis, researchers concluded that "the storm's intensity was a 1-in-12.5 (±1.5) year event, however the duration was a 1-in-41 years event." For many readers, therefore, something similar will happen again in our lifetimes. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
SOLAR WIND SPARKS ARCTIC AURORAS: As predicted, minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are underway on Feb. 14th as Earth moves into a fast-moving stream of solar wind. "On Valentine's night, strong auroras appeared on Alta harbor in Finland," reports Jong Park, who sends this photo from Lathari Beach:
The solar wind is flowing from a canyon-like hole in the sun's atmosphere. The hole is so wide, Earth could be inside the stream for 2 or 3 days. Arctic sky watchers should remain alert for auroras through the weekend. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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24K SPACE ROSE: On Jan. 24, 2025, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched a cosmic ray balloon to the stratosphere. The 24K Space Rose went along for the ride:
You can have it for $127.75. At the apex of the flight, the gold-dipped and gilded bloom was 115,823 feet above the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California, touching the edge of space. It comes with a greeting card showing the flower in flight, and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again.
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Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter