In case you thought pumpkins were just
The student researchers of Earth to Sky Calculus just sent a pumpkin to the edge of outer space. We certainly hope some of these smart kids end up in information security and help in that fight!
What the pumpkin experienced on its flight
"Space is not far away. Only 30 km above Earth’s surface—less than the length of a marathon race—the blue sky fades to black and stars pop out in broad daylight. At such altitudes, the ambient temperature (as low as -60 C), air pressure (<1% sea level), and cosmic radiation environment are akin to the planet Mars."
What the student flights are teaching scientists
This group has launched dozens of balloon flights, many of which have tested technologies for a “Space Weather Buoy” to measure the response of the upper atmosphere to solar storms.
That could help protect the power grid and other connected systems we depend on from blasts of solar radiation. Those blasts have taken down parts of the power grid before. Quebec, Canada, is just one example:
"Just after 2:44 a.m. on March 13, the currents found a weakness in the electrical power grid of Quebec. In less than 2 minutes, the entire Quebec power grid lost power. During the 12-hour blackout that followed, millions of people suddenly found themselves in dark office buildings and underground pedestrian tunnels, and
That case study is a fascinating read put together by NASA.
So now you know. Pumpkins aren't just for the