GEOMAGNETIC STORM IN THE OFFING: A canyon-shaped hole has opened in the sun's atmosphere, and it is spewing a stream of high-speed solar wind toward Earth. NOAA forecasters say there is a 30% chance of polar geomagnetic storms (G1-class) when the gaseous material reaches our planet on August 31st. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras this Thursday and Friday. Visit Spaceweather.com for photos and updates.
Above: This canyon-shaped "coronal hole" is a region in the sun's atmosphere where the sun's magnetic field has opened up, allowing solar wind to escape. Credit: NASA/SDO/Spaceweather.com
