SOLAR WIND STORM--NOW! Today, the sun is blowing a gale around Earth. Plasma escaping from a giant hole in the sun's atmosphere is blowing around our planet as fast as 800 km/s (1.8 million mph). As a result of this solar wind storm, minor (G1) to moderate (G2) geomagnetic storms are possible on March 27th.
We're now receiving reports of auroras from both hemispheres. "This photo shows the effect of the solar wind storm at the Jokulsarlon Lagoon in Iceland," says Maxime Duchene.
"This very bright display lasted all night!," she says. "It was magic!"
Half a world away, Taichi Nakamura was walking down a beach in Dunedin, New Zealand, and saw the same display:
During his walk, the solar wind picked up speed and hit 800 km/s. "I was thrilled how the aurora got bigger as the night wore on," he says.
The stream of solar wind is broad, and Earth could remain inside it for another 24 to 48 hours. High-latitude sky watchers should remain alert for auroras. Aurora alerts: SMS Text.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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"ALWAYS AND FOREVER" RUBY HEART PENDANT: Are you looking for a far out gift? Consider the Always and Forever Space Pendent. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $219.95. Engraved with the words "I love you always and forever", this sterling silver pendant has a heart-shaped ruby crystal in the middle surrouunded by a ring of glittering 5A cubic zirconia nuggets. It is a visually striking necklace perfect for anniversaries and romantic birthdays.
The students are selling space pendants to pay the helium bill for their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight and telling the story of its trip to the stratosphere and back again.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Venus Photo Gallery
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Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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