A Space Weather Garden

Imagine a garden with flowers that came from the edge of space and experienced space weather. Source: NASA

Welcome to the world of Earth to Sky Calculus, a project by a group of high school science enthusiasts from Bishop, CA. For more than 3 years the students have been launching balloons into the stratosphere, trying to gain a deeper knowledge of the upper atmosphere. Instruments and objects have soared to the edge of space, photographing and measuring the intersection of Earth’s atmosphere and space weather. They have watched cosmic radiation soar as the sun became quieter and its solar wind protection of the Earth grew weaker

One of the more intriguing projects sent plant seeds into space. During their rise into the stratosphere, the 80+ seed packets experienced temperatures as low as -81° F, air pressures like those on the planet Mars, and cosmic ray dose rates 40 times Earth-normal. While these “space seeds” were flying, identical control samples remained behind on Earth. The students will plant the two together and see how they differ. (Will “space jalapenos” be hotter?)

Flowers and vegetable seeds on the edge – will they taste any different? Will the sunflowers have a new glow? Source:  Earth to Sky Calculus

As a fund raiser to continue student research, they are selling seed and for a donation of $49.95 to Earth to Sky Calculus, supporters can chose any two seed types from the following: beefsteak tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cosmos flowers, green beans, helichrysum flowers, jalapeno peppers, petunias, pumpkins, radishes, sunflowers, sweet corn, and turnips. The package includes the space seeds and the control packets as well. The Facebook page notes the seeds would make a great science fair project and, possibly, a unique meal! (Anyone interested should Contact Dr. Tony Phillips)

Meet Mork – the flying cupcake! Source:  Earth to Sky Calculus

Having a project run by teenagers guaranteed some quirky ideas. They even flew cupcakes and Camilla, an instrument-covered rubber chicken to space! However, if you have dreamed of a garden with seeds that have been heavenly, or at least high, you can now plant space seeds.