THE SOLAR WIND HAS ARRIVED: A fast-moving stream of solar wind is engulfing Earth today, with speeds near 600 km/s (1.2 million mph). This is causing minor geomagnetic storms, bright auroras around the Arctic Circle, and vibrations in our planet's magnetic field that amateur scientists can detect using backyard sensors. This unsettled space weather could continue through March 1st as our planet moves through the unusually wide stream. Visit Spaceweather.com for updates.
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Above: The squiggles in this chart recording are "rumblings" in Earth's magnetic field caused by the action of today's solar wind stream. Credit: Stuart Green of Preston UK.
