WEEKEND AURORA WATCH: A G2-class geomagnetic storm is likely this weekend when a CME is expected to graze Earth's magnetic field. Estimated time of arrival: The early hours of Aug. 2nd. If the storm occurs, auroras could appear in the USA as far south as New York to Idaho. CME impact alerts: SMS Text.

A BIG CME JUST LEFT THE SUN: And it might hit Earth. NOAA's CCOR-1 coronagraph recorded the CME on July 30th:

The CME was launched by an M1.9-class solar flare from sunspot 4492 (movie). Technically, the flare's peak was not very strong (only M1.9), but the explosion lasted for hours, long enough to lift a significant CME out of the sun's atmosphere.

A NASA model suggests this CME will graze Earth on Aug. 2nd--and a new NOAA model agrees. The glancing blow could spark a G2-class geomagnetic storm with high-latitude auroras. CME impact alerts: SMS Text.

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STERLING SILVER HANGING CAT: Are you looking for a far-out gift? Consider the Sterling Silver Hanging Cat Pendant. On July 22nd, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:

You can have it for $139.95. This feline astronaut is made of genuine sterling silver and hangs from a matching 18-inch sterling silver chain. It is a purrfect birthday, anniversary or belated graduation gift.

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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