GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH (G1): Minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are possible on April 26th when two CMEs might graze Earth. The incoming CMEs were launched by a "sympathetic" double solar flare on April 23rd. High-latitude auroras are likely *if* the double-blow occurs. CME impact alerts: SMS Text
A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SUNSPOT: Don't be surprised if there's another X-flare today. Active sunspot 4420 is directly facing Earth, and it is potentially dangerous. David Wilson photographed the behemoth from his backyard solar observatory in Inverness, Scotland.
"A movie of this sunspot shows a lot of dynamics," says Wilson. "One of the interior spots is rotating clockwise and another is rotating counter-clockwise."
In addition to the turmoil, the sunspot has a 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field. This means it is unstable with latent energy for X-class solar flares. Earth will be in the strike zone for the next 3-4 days. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text
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THE OMEGA SUNRISE: "It looked like the sun was literally melting," says Colleen Webb. On April 24th. she witnessed this very strange sunrise from Benone beach in Co Derry, Northern Ireland:
This is called an "Omega sunrise." It is caused by warm air overlying the sea surface, which refracts and stretches the low-hanging sun. Often, the mirage looks like the Greek letter Ω.
Spring is a good time to see these mirages, because rapid seasonal changes in weather can produce sharp temperature gradients at the air-water interface. See for yourself. Go to the beach before sunrise and face east. Your day could begin with an Omega dawn.
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SILVER SAPPHIRE SPACE PENDANT: It has just returned from the edge of space: The Silver Sapphire Space Pendant. The pendant flew to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon, floating for more than 3 hours above 100,000 feet:
You can have it for $219.95. Engraved with the words "I love you always and forever", this sterling silver pendant has a heart-shaped sapphire in the middle surrouunded by a ring of glittering 5A cubic zirconia nuggets. It is a visually striking necklace perfect for anniversaries and romantic birthdays.
The students are selling space pendants to pay the helium bill for their cosmic ray ballooning program. Each one comes with a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight and telling the story of its trip to the stratosphere and back again.
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