ACTIVE SUNSPOT ALERT: New sunspot (AR4513) is crackling with M-class solar flares--including a strong M8-class flare earlier today that produced an impressive CME. We are not yet in this sunspot's strike zone, but we will be soon because it is turning to face Earth. Solar flare alerts: SMS Text.
Today's M8-flare from AR4513. Credit: GOES-19. See the movie.
RED AURORAS OVER NEBRASKA: Storm chaser Dean Cosgrove was not looking for auroras when he drove across rural Nebraska on Aug. 17th. "I was after the lightning," he says. Instead, his camera revealed a beautiful display of Northern Lights:
Earlier the same day, a CME narrowly missed Earth. The CME created ripples in the solar wind (like the wake of a speedboat) that touched our planet. As a result, the near miss was enough to cause a G1-class geomagnetic storm.
"I didn't expect to see much because this was only a minor G1-class event," says Cosgrove. "My camera brought out incredible detail and vibrant colors."
This is a good reminder: Even minor geomagnetic storms can cause auroras. You may not be able to see them with your unaided eye, but cameras are more sensitive. The next time there's a storm, point your phone toward the sky . You might be surprised by what it sees. Geomagnetic storm alerts: SMS Text.
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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CAMPO DEL CIELO METEORITE PENDANT: This meteorite came from space. We sent it back again. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched it to the stratosphere onboard a cosmic ray research balloon, more than 109,620 feet above the Sierra Nevada near Bishop, CA:
You can have it for $249.95. Encased in a sterling silver cage, this is a genuine iron-nickel Campo del Cielo meteorite from Argentina. It landed on Earth 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, and made the return trip on Aug. 15, 2026. This pendant comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and a greeting card showing the jewelry in flight.
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
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
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Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
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