MORE CMEs ARE COMING: A CME hit Earth yesterday. More are on the way, according to a NOAA model of activity from sunspot 4366. Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on Feb. 5th and Feb 8th when the CMEs arrive. CME impact alerts: SMS Text
Yesterday's CME sparked a G1-class geomagnetic storm with auroras around the Arctic Circle. Greg Ash photographed the display from Abisko, Sweden:
"In spite of the nearly full Moon, the auroras were very visible to the naked eye, and it was especially beautiful to the Swedish mountains to the south," says Ash.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
CONTINUED THREAT FOR X-FLARES: Most sunspots never produce even one X-flare. This week, giant sunspot 4366 has fired off six. Here's the latest, an X4.2-class explosion on Feb. 4th:
"This is the most powerful solar flare I’ve ever been lucky enough to capture in my entire life as an amateur astronomer!" says photographer Sylvain Weiller of Jerusalem, Israel. "The activity exploded on my screen. It was enormous!"
Don't be surprised if there is another X-flare today. The sunspot has an unstable 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field that will almost certainly explode again. It is facing Earth, so any flares today will be geoeffective. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
more images: from Frank J Melillo of Holtsville, NY; from Richard Sears of Ballico, CA; from the 5th Graders of Clinton Public School, Clinton, NJ; from Judah Santiago of Baton Rouge, LA; from Santiago Andres Triana of Hoogstraten, Belgium; from Sebastian Algra of Utrecht, The Netherlands;
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
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
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter