A SURPRISING SUPER PLASMA BUBBLE: A new study just published in the journal Space Weather describes a "super plasma bubble" that appeared in Earth's upper atmosphere during a minor geomagnetic storm. Normally, plasma bubbles stay near the equator. In this case, a surprising surge of electric fields lifted the ionosphere, allowing the bubble to grow and spread. The result was a widespread GPS disturbance in Europe and Africa. Minor storms, the authors concluded, can produce major effects.
NIGHT OF THE SNOW MOON: This weekend’s full Moon has a special name: the "Snow Moon," so-called because February brings the heaviest snowfall to the Northern Hemisphere. The name is more than folklore. Thanks to a special property of snow, the Snow Moon can make nights look dramatically different.
Under a Snow Moon, photographer Göran Strand rides a kicksled across a frozen lake in Sweden
Snow is one of nature’s best reflectors. Fresh, clean snow has an albedo of about 0.80–0.90, meaning it reflects 80–90% of incoming visible light--far more than most natural surfaces. Bare ground reflects ~10-20%, forests ~5-15%, and even desert sand only ~30-40%.
Under a full Moon, this high reflectivity can make snowy landscapes appear 2 to 5 times brighter than snow-free terrain. The effect is strongest with new, fine-grained snow, which scatters light efficiently in all directions. Older, wet, or dirty snow reflects less as crystals melt, clump, or darken.
Only a few exotic substances in the lab rival snow’s reflectivity, including polished salt flats and engineered white coatings. In the real, outdoor world, freshly fallen snow can’t be beat.
Go outside tonight and enjoy the Snow Moonlight. It’s brighter than you think.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
"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 Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter