Negative Magnetic Fields Spark Auroras

 
Source - Space Weather News for May 2, 2016: http://spaceweather.com

NEGATIVE MAGNETIC FIELDS SPARK AURORAS: For the past three days Earth has been passing through a region of interplanetary space filled with negative-polarity magnetic fields. This has caused intermittent geomagnetic storms and beautiful auroras around both poles. Visit http://spaceweather.com for pictures and more information about this phenomenon.

"SPACE LIGHTNING" SIGHTED OVER THE CARIBBEAN: Sprite season is definitely underway. Only a few days after a widespread display appeared over Texas, more sprites have popped up near Puerto Rico. This time the exotic forms of upper atmospheric electricity were sighted dancing above the sea instead of land.  Learn more about land-vs-sea sprites at http://spaceweather.com.



Photo credit: Frankie Lucena and Space Weather News.

Hidden Portals in Earth's Magnetic Field

Source - NASA Science News for June 29, 2012

A NASA-sponsored researcher has developed a way for spacecraft to hunt down hidden magnetic portals in the vicinity of Earth. These gateways link the magnetic field of our planet to that of the sun, setting the stage for stormy space weather.

The full story can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/29jun_hiddenportals/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3_vW5yrNek

NASA SDO Video: Dazzling Duo

Below is the most recent video from SDOmission2009:



The vdeo was posted on 02/11/2011. Here is the description of the video from the YouTube page:

"As SDO observed in extreme ultraviolet light, a pair of active regions put on quite a show over a three-day period (Feb. 7-10, 2011). The magnetic field lines above the regions produced fluttering arcs waving above them as well as a couple of flares. Another pair of smaller active regions emerges and trails behind the larger ones."

You can find more SDO videos at SDOmission2009.

Happy star gazing ~ Jim Cox