GEOMAGNETIC STORM FORECAST: Geomagnetic storms are possible on Jan. 3-4 when a pair of CMEs might hit Earth's magnetic field. CME #1 was launched by a powerful M7-flare on Dec. 31st. CME #2 followed on Jan. 1st, propelled by a weaker but better aimed C6-flare. Their combined impact could cause G2-class geomagnetic storms. The only bad news: Aurora visibility will be reduced by glare from the full Wolf Moon. CME impact alerts: SMS Text
NIGHT OF THE FULL WOLF MOON: This photo looks like it was taken in broad daylight. In fact, it's 100% Wolf moonlight:
"I did not need my headlamp," says Dr. Tony Phillips, a space weather forecaster who moonlights as a backcountry dogsledder. After sunset on Jan. 2nd, he took a team of three Alaskan huskies into the mountains near Lake Sabrina, California. The nearly full Moon flooded the landscape with so much light, a 2-second cell phone exposure turned night into day.
According to folklore, this weekend's full Moon is the Wolf Moon. It is brighter than normal for three reasons:
1. The Moon is near perigee (closest approach to Earth), making it appear up to ~7% larger and ~15% brighter than average.
2. The Earth-Moon system is near perihelion (closest approach to the sun), brightening the Moon another 3%.
3. Fresh snow reflects as much as 90% of incoming moonlight, making the night feel more like twilight.
"We're going out again on Jan. 3rd," says Phillips. Why? "Because the Moon and Jupiter will be in conjunction," he explains. "We saw them converging on Jan. 2nd, and the view tonight will be even better." [sky map]
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IRON HEART VALENTINE'S GIFT: Valentine’s Day is coming. Do you have a truly far-out gift? The Iron Heart Valentine’s Swing celebrates a love that is strong, steady, and enduring. On Nov. 13, 2025, it flew to the edge of space, floating 100,895 feet above the Sierra Nevada Mountains of central California:
You can have it for $159.95. The gift-boxed swing includes a unique keepsake card featuring the Iron Heart at the top of Earth's atmosphere. Inside, the card tells the story of the flight and certifies that this swing has been to the edge of space.
Earth to Sky Valentine's gifts have flown above 99.7% of Earth's atmosphere, experiencing space-like blasts of cosmic rays, extreme cold, and a wild ride parachuting back to Earth after the balloon explodes. Even Amazon doesn't carry items this far out. And, best of all, all sales support student science projects and STEM education.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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