GEOMAGNETIC STORM IN PROGRESS: A minor G1-class geomagnetic storm is in progress. The cause is not 100% certain, but it appears that a CME has passed near Earth. Magnetized ripples in the solar wind are gently buffeting our planet's magnetic field and causing the storm. This near miss was predicted by a NASA model and its effects are being boosted by the equinox Russell-McPherron effect. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
VENUS APPROACHES INFERIOR CONJUNCTION: This weekend (March 23rd), Venus will pass between Earth and the sun--an event astronomers call "inferior conjunction." It's a special time to observe the second planet, because around inferior conjunction the disk of Venus turns into an otherworldly crescent. Maximilian-Vlad Teodorescu photographed it today from the Institute of Space Science in Romania:
"This was one of the hardest imaging sessions yet, as rolling clouds, strong winds and poor seeing combined with Venus' proximity to the sun to complicate photography,"says Teodorescu. "It was worth the effort to capture Venus as a very thin crescent."
Teodorescu has been monitoring the transformation of Venus as it approaches inferior conjunction. The bottom panel shows a selection of his photos since January. He plans to add one final crescent: "I will attempt to image on the day of conjunction as well," he says. Stay tuned!
Realtime Venus Photo Gallery
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ROSE QUARTZ TREE OF LIFE PENDANT: You cannot buy this on Amazon. Only the Earth to Sky Store has the Rose Quartz Tree of Life Space Pendant. This one flew to the stratosphere March 4th onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $129.95. The pendant's rose quartz gemstone is surrounded by a hand-wrapped stainless steel tree of life. During its 3-hour flight, it experienced temperatures as low as -63 C and air pressures less than 0.3% of sea level--truly, an out-of-this world gift!
The students are selling space jewelry to pay the helium bill for their high altitude ballooning program. Each pendant comes with a greeting card showing the item in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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