~Space Weather Update~ A Medium Solar Wind Stream~ 377 Wind Speed
THE MOON AND MARS: Mars is approaching Earth for a close encounter in March. Start looking for the Red Planet now: Tonight it is shining brighter than a 1st-magnitude star beside the waning full Moon. The view through a backyard telescope is dynamite: sky map.
AURORA WATCH: A medium-speed solar wind stream is blowing past Earth and sparking auroras around the Arctic Circle. Last night in Muonio, Finnland, tour guide Antti Pietikäinen made a snow angel--then hopped up and took this picture:
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I took a group 20 km from Hotel Harriniva to find a clear sky," says Pietikäinen. "As soon as we reached a nearby lake, the show was on! Auroras mixed with full moonlight gives some really unique photos."






