GEOMAGNETIC STORM IN PROGRESS: A minor G1-class geomagnetic storm is in progress on Sept. 8th. It does not appear to be the result of two CMEs expected today. Rather, it is the autumnal Russell-McPherron Effect in action. The CMEs are still en route. CME impact alerts: SMS Text.
HERE'S PROOF THAT AUTUMN IS APPROACHING: Last night in Iceland, the sky exploded with auroras. "The lights were so beautiful," says Jónína Óskarsdóttir, who sends this photo from Fáskrúðsfjörður:
There was no geomagnetic storm at the time of the outburst. Instead, this is a sign of autumn.
The northern autumnal equinox is only two weeks away, which means the Russell-McPherron Effect is turning on. During weeks around equnoxes, Earths magnetic field connects to the sun's magnetic field more easily than usual. Solar wind flows through the resulting magnetic portals to fuel auroras.
Two CMEs are expected to hit Earth today, Sept. 8th. The Russell-McPherron Effect will amplify their impact, producing auroras in disproportion to the weak flares that launched the CMEs three days ago. Stay tuned! CME impact alerts: SMS Text.
more images: from Ian Griffin of Hoopers Inlet, Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
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MILLION-YEAR-OLD METEORITE PENDANT: About one million years ago, this meteorite landed in northern Sweden. On Aug. 25, 2026, we sent it back onboard a cosmic ray research balloon:
You can have it for $269.95. This is a spherical fragment of the Muonionalusta Meteorite found near the Muonio River in Sweden. It is contained within a sterling silver cage that hangs from a matching 18-inch chain.
The meteorite comes with a certificate of authenticity, but you can see that it's real using your own eyes. The sphere is crisscrossed by a faint pattern of geometric crystal lines formed by millions of years of slow cooling in space.
The students of Earth to Sky Calculus 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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