THE CME HAS ARRIVED: A CME hit Earth's magnetic field today, Feb. 4th. The sharp impact at 1530 UTC jolted magnetometer needles around the world. At the USGS monitoring station in Boulder, Colorado, the jolt was 16 nT--significant, but not enough to cause a major geomagnetic storm. Instead, minor (G1) to moderate (G2) storms are possible in the hours ahead. This CME probably came from the X8-class solar flare on Feb 1st. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
SUNSPOT ARCHIPELAGO: Sunspots are magnetic islands on the sun. Sunspot AR4366 is a complete archipelago. Scroll down to scan more than 200,000 miles of island chain:
Amateur astronomer James Kevin Ty took this picture on Feb 3rd from his backyard observatory in Manila. "This sunspot started as an inconspicuous pore just a few days ago. Since then it has grown hugely in size!" he says.
The island metaphor is apt. Sunspots are buoyant concentrations of magnetism that float on a sea of solar plasma. Archipelago 4366 consists of one big island twice as wide as Earth plus dozens of lesser isles ranging in size from US states to small planets.
AR4366 is currently facing Earth, and it poses a threat for X-class solar flares. Such flares can cause shortwave radio blackouts and, if they hurl a CME in our direction, strong-to-extreme geomagnetic storms. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
more images: from Santiago Andres Triana of Hoogstraten, Belgium; from Mariano Ribas of Buenos Aires, Argentina; from Jim Tegerdine of Roseburg, Oregon;
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A SPACE PENDENT FOR VALENTINE'S DAY: Are you looking for an unforgettable Valentine's Day gift? Consider the Always and Forever Pendent. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the top of Earth's atmosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
It's yours for $299.95. Engraved with the words "I love you always and forever," this sterling silver pendant features a heart-shaped citrine crystal surrounded by a ring of glittering 5A cubic zirconia nuggets. It comes with a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight and telling the story of its journey to 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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