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SPACE

First donut launched into space from Norway

What do you do if you have too much time on your hands, are in possession of a weather balloon, and a donut? Launch the donut into space of course!

First donut launched into space from Norway
The donut as it reaches the edge of space at 32km above ground level. Photo: Screen Grab from YouTube
Alexander and Benjamin Jönsson launched their confectionary cargo from Askim in Norway last week, sending it up 32km above the surface of the earth, right to the edge of space, filming every moment with an onboard camera.  

“I'm really into space and photography and I used to play around with weather balloons back in school. Then we had the idea that we should send something really crazy up into space and thought 'hey, nobody has ever sent a donut up before',” Alexander told The Local.

The two brothers, who come from Lysekil in Sweden, close to the Norwegian border, launched their craft from Askim in Norway together with pals John Johansson, Johannes Jönsson and Rasmus Ankarskär, as it was much cheaper to get the necessary flying permits.

“The permit is free in Norway, but it would have cost us around 11,000 kronor ($1,245) in Sweden,” said Alexander.

A few hours after the launch, the vessel crash-landed in Lake Vättern, Sweden, where the Swedish Sea Rescue Society volunteers salvaged the wreckage of the air balloon and the soggy remains of the donut. 
 

“Loads of people have been in touch about it and there's been a lot of media interest too. Things have been a bit all over the place!” said Alexander.

It is not the first time weird objects have been ejected into space. Luke Skywalker's light sabre and some pizza are but a few of the items sent far into the depths of our universe by space agencies. And in 2008, Nasa transmitted Beatles song 'Across the Universe' in the direction of the star Polaris, 431 light years from Earth.

Meanwhile, the two Swedes are busy thinking of how they're going to top their donut launch. “We've been kicking around various ideas. We're thinking of going to the United States in 2017 when they will have a total solar eclipse to send up a weather balloon. But the thing is, how do you top a donut?”

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Why the northern lights might be visible in more of Norway than usual

Current atmospheric conditions mean there's a good chance the aurora borealis will be visible across much more of Norway than normal on Friday.

Why the northern lights might be visible in more of Norway than usual
Photo by stein egil liland from Pexels

Normally, the northern lights are only visible in northern Norway, typically between April and September.

According to the Geophysical Institute of Alaska the KP index, which is a system of measuring aurora strength, will reach Kp 5 out of a possible 9.

Anything Kp 5 and above is classed as a geomagnetic storm. This means you will be able to see the green lady a lot further south than you usually would.

The reason for this high forecast is “corona holes” (no relation to the pandemic). These are holes in the Sun’s atmosphere, where solar wind is thrown out at high speeds.

The northern lights occur when the protons and electrons from solar wind hit the particles in the Earths atmosphere and release energy.  

“You can see it down towards eastern Norway as an arc on the horizon, while in central Norway and in Trøndelag it will be right over your head.” Pål Brekke, head of space research at the Norwegian Space Center, told newspaper VG.

READ MORE:Taking pictures of the Northern Lights: 10 expert photography tips 

While there will be strong northern lights activity over large parts of the country, it does not necessarily mean that everyone will get to see it.

“It doesn’t look too promising in Nordland and Troms”, state meteorologist, Sjur Wergerland told VG.

However, he also added that the forecast looks much better further south.

Even then though there is no guarantee you will see the northern lights, according to Brekke.

“It is not certain that the northern lights will move as far south as we think, but I recommend people to follow forecasts on websites to stay up to date,” he said.

In order to see the northern lights, the weather will also have to be on your side. Clear skies are best and going to areas with no or low light pollution is important too.

If you are lucky enough to see the lights make sure you don’t wave at them. Doing so will cause the lights to lift you up and take you away according to Norwegian folklore.

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