[MIham] Aurora Surprise Prompts Rocket Launch

[Frank]

Space Weather News for Jan. 26, 2014
http://spaceweather.com

AURORA ROCKETS: A geomagnetic storm erupted during the early hours of Jan. 26th, sparking a surprise display of bright auroras around the Arctic Circle. Scientists took the opportunity to launch four sounding rockets from Alaska's Poker Flat Research Range to study the effect of solar storms on the upper atmosphere.  Pictures of the colorful launch are available on today's edition of http://spaceweather.com.

DON'T FORGET THE ASTEROID FLYBY:  A mountain-sized space rock is approaching Earth for a harmless but eye-catching close encounter on Monday night, Jan. 26-27. The incoming asteroid, named 2004 BL86, will be just 740,000 miles away (3.1 times farther from us than the Moon) and visible in ordinary binoculars.   More information and observing tips are available on http://spaceweather.com.