ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION UPDATE: New space weather balloon measurements over California show that cosmic rays in Earth's atmosphere are increasing. The main reason is the solar cycle. In recent years, sunspot counts have plummeted as the sun's magnetic field weakens. This has allowed more cosmic rays from deep space to penetrate the solar system and, in turn, our planet's atmosphere. An interesting anomaly occurred in Sept. 2017 when a sudden outburst of solar activity pushed cosmic rays away from Earth, causing a temporary dip in the radiation field. Read all about it on today's edition of Spaceweather.com.
Above: Space weather balloon measurements over California show cosmic rays in the atmosphere intensifying for the third year in a row. Credit: Earth to Sky Calculus/Spaceweather.com
