GET READY FOR AURORAS: Sky watchers in Europe and North America might see auroras tonight (June 4-5) if, as expected, a Cannibal CME strikes Earth. The impact could spark strong (G3) geomagnetic storms with isolated periods of severe (G4) activity. During similar storms in the past, naked-eye auroras have been visible in more than 25 US states. Pro tip: Get away from city lights! CME Impact Alerts: SMS Text
WHAT IS A CANNIBAL CME? Just what it sounds like. A CME that eats other CMEs. Yesterday, sunspot 4455 exploded several times and hurled multiple CMEs into space. One of the CMEs was so fast, it caught a slower CME and swallowed it. This NOAA model shows what happened:
The combined Cannibal CME is expected to reach Earth during the late hours of June 4th or June 5th. This is good news for sky watchers because Cannibal CMEs are very good at producing geomagnetic storms and auroras. Remember the great geomagnetic storm of May 2024? That was caused in part by a Cannibal CME. Tonight's storm will not be as intense as May 2024, but it could be good if NOAA's model is correct.
Meanwhile, don't be surprised if there is another strong solar flare today. Sunspot 4455 is a rare anti-Hale sunspot. "Anti-Hale" means the sunspot has a reversed-polarity magnetic field, which makes it unstable and explosive. Solar Flare Alerts: SMS Text
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STERLING SILVER RAINBOW DRAGONFLY: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Consider the Rainbow Dragonfly Space Pendant. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $179.95. Made of stained glass with a sterling silver exoskeleton, the pendant has a wingspan of 1.1-inches and comes with a matching 18-inch sterling silver chain.
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.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
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