VENUS-MERCURY CONJUNCTION TODAY: A spectacular conjunction is underway on Jan.29th as Venus and Mercury cross paths only 0.5o apart. Where should you look? On the SOHO coronagraph page. The conjunction is happening next to the sun, so an artificial eclipse is required to see it. Click here.
MINOR STORM, MEGAURORAS: There are few places on Earth like Tromsø, Norway. Located at 69°N in the heart of the auroral oval, it experiences frequent, intense, and easily accessible aurora displays--even during very minor geomagnetic storms. Here's an example from last night:
"The sky exploded on Jan 28th, producing corona after corona," says aurora tour guide Marianne Bergli. She photographed the display on Jan. 28th from Kvaløya, Tromsø, Norway.
Just before Bergli took the picture, a solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field. The gaseous material came from a small yet well-aimed hole in the sun's atmosphere. Its impact barely produced a minor (G1-class) geomagnetic storm, but that was enough for Tromsø.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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"BEST WIFE EVER" TEA CUP FOR VALENTINE'S DAY: Tell your wife what you think of her with the "Best Wife Ever" Tea Cup from Space. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $134.95. The crystal glass cup is decorated with 3D pink and purple daisies. There's also a matching teaspoon! This romantic Valentine's gift comes with a greeting card showing the cup in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere. See also: The High Tea Cup.
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
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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