BRIEFLY, A SEVERE STORM: The strong geomagnetic storm described below briefly became severe (category G4) on April 16th at about 2030 UTC. During the apex of severe storming, naked-eye auroras were reported from the southern coast of England and France. Since then the storm has subsided to category G2/G3, which means auroras may still appear in Canada and northern-tier US states tonight. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
TODAY--A STRONG GEOMAGNETIC STORM: Earth's magnetic field is reverberating from the impact of a Cannibal CME on April 15th. Geomagnetic storm levels are currently ranging from G2 (Moderate) to G3 (Strong). If this activity persists at current levels, auroras could appear across Canada and some northern-tier US states during the night of April 16-17. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
"The CME delivered!" reports Sebastian Sainio from Finland. "It sparked a great, although not so long-lasting show on the night between the 15th and 16th of April."
"The scenic landscape on the island of Raippaluoto in western Finland gave extra vibe to the photos," he says. "The water was also exceptionally calm that night."
The gathering storm was still minor (G1-class) when nature photographer Gregory Ash saw the glow from Ely, Minnesota:
"The aurora started slowly on the horizon after dark, and I was joined by an owl and a pesky beaver shooting alongside this snowy riverbank," says Ash.
more images: from Kristian Eli Eli Zachariasen of the Faroe Islands; from Jeff Dykstra of Búðardalur, Iceland; from Mats Olsson of Grimsås, Sweden; from Dug Macleod of Cuan Sound, Scotland;
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BLUE OPALITE SOLAR ECLIPSE PENDANT: This crystal pendant has touched the shadow of the Moon. On Aug. 21, 2017, during the Great American Solar Eclipse, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched 11 space weather balloons from the path of totality. The Blue Opalite Eclipse Pendant flew into the Moon's shadow over the Malheur National Forest in Oregon:
You can have it for $199.95. During the 2.5 hour stratospheric flight, the jewelry was wrapped in the Moon’s cold (-50 C) shadow for more than two minutes. After the shadow passed, the balloon popped at an altitude of 96,465 feet, and the pendant parachuted back to Earth. It comes with a greeting card telling the story of the eclipse and showing the crystal in flight.
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