GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING (G1): A high speed stream of solar wind has engulfed Earth. Blowing faster than 700 km/s (1.6 million mph), the stream is causing intermittent G1-class geomagnetic storms and high-latitude auroras. Photographic auroras could appear in northern-tier US states tonight. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
NOAA'S CORONAGRAPH JUST SAW THE NEW MOON: New Moons are supposed to be black and invisible. NOAA's CCOR-1 coronagraph just saw it as clear as day. In this 3 hour movie recorded on Feb. 28th, the New Moon approaches the sun with its dark terrain 100% lit by Earthshine:
Coronagraphs are instruments that block the sun to create an artificial eclipse. Space weather forecasters to use them to monitor the sun for CMEs that might be heading for Earth. Coronagraphs can also show celestial bodies near the sun such as planets and suicide comets that would otherwise be lost in the glare.
CCOR-1 is new coronagraph just now being activated onboard NOAA's GOES-19 weather satellite. It is unique--the first coronagraph to fly in geostationary orbit. This places it deep inside the Moon's orbit and gives it a view of the Moon unavailable to previous coronagraphs like the ones on SOHO.
In the movie, the Moon appears to be full. That's entirely due to sunlight reflected from Earth. In the full-length movie, we can see that that Earthshine is not constant. During the movie, sunrise over the Western hemisphere dynamically increases Earthshine so much that some of the images are saturated.
This display is about to become a regular occurance. The next New Moon is March 29th. Mark your calendar and check the CCOR-1 web site.
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CELTIC LOVE KNOT MOONSTONE PENDANT: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Nothing says "I love you" like a moonstone from the edge of space. On Jan 27th, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew this moonstone wrapped in a hand-crafted sterling silver Celtic love knot 35.1 km (115,158 feet) above Earth's surface:
You can have it for $149.95. The pendant comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling space jewelry to support their cosmic ray ballooning program. Get yours now!
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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