Credit: NASA/SDO

The Sun emitted a strong solar flare on May 10, 2024, peaking at 2:54 a.m. ET. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of the event, which was classified as X3.9.

The storm also emitted massive clouds of magnetized particles and hot plasma. One of these clouds, called a coronal mass ejection, headed straight toward the Earth. Fortunately, this ejection wasn’t strong enough to cause any problems, but many people have delighted in the northern lights (aurora borealis) triggered by this solar geomagnatic storm!

The explosion of plasma and magnetic fields are focused in one sunspot that is actually visible from Earth and can be seen safely through a pair of eclipse glasses. See Dr James O'Donoghue demonstrating how it works here!

Closer to home in England… as a result of these solar flares, the northern lights were seen as far South West as Cornwall!

Image credits left to right: Lara Sparey; Barnet, Sam Holliday; Cornwall, Sally Macpherson; Glasgow.

An article in the Washington Post last week gives a detailed account of solar storms from the sun and their potential threats to global infrastructures.

Solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) could disrupt communication systems, satellites, and power grids, potentially causing widespread damage.

Although rare, there is a growing belief that the next peak of solar activity expected could be as close as 2025. Despite the potential disruptions of these events, with adequate preparation, their impact can be mitigated, leaving room to appreciate the awe-inspiring phenomena of stunning auroras.

“When we talk about weather, we generally mean snowfall, high winds or simply a light drizzle. But space has weather, too, and that weather includes storms. The sun is the stormiest spot in the solar system, a big ball of roiling plasma with an erratic rotation. The lines of the sun’s magnetic field are constantly moving.”

Read the full story here!

London Craft Week starts today!

Celebrating outstanding British and international creativity, the festival brings together over 750 established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries from around the world.

Check out the full programme here

There may still be places left for today’s opening ceremony of this year’s Chinese Pavilion exhibition: “Chinese Design: Harmony in Diversity” at Royal Mint Court.

The highlights of the show, focuses on two important Chinese principles of ‘harmony’ and ‘elegance’, with themes including ‘Harmony of Textiles’ and ‘Elegance of Porcelain’. Traditional Chinese tea will be served as well as performances of classical and folk dances by local artists.

Another top pick this week: UNSPUN at Fabrica X

Unspun showcases products made with its Vega™️ 3D weaving technology at Fabrica X's exhibition. Vega™️ claimes to be the world's first 3D weaving technology for apparel. By weaving garments from yarn in minutes, Vega™ opens the door to an entirely new world of on-shore and on-demand production for woven apparel.

The summit and awards ceremony for The Green Product Award 2024 was held in Berlin on the 30th April.

These FibreStraps caught our eye in the Green Product Awards 2024, from composting toilets to hemp fibre furniture and mushroom made lighting.

See the full list here.

FibreStrap is a patented sustainable paper cable tie, designed to easily replace current plastic solutions for bundling, securing, and attaching in any industry. FibreStrap reduces carbon footprint and water usage with 80 percent. Made of long fibres from the Scandinavian forests it is strong, recyclable, and biodegradable – Made to endure, but not to last.

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