This crystal Moon ball flew to space on Star Wars Day.
 
On May the 4th, 2019, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched an array of cosmic ray sensors to the stratosphere onboard a giant helium balloon. They do this approximately once a week to monitor deep space radiation. This laser-etched crystal ball went along for the ride, ascending 96,200 feet above the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains of central California.
 
When it was above 99.95% of Earth's atmosphere, the balloon exploded and the payload parachuted back to Earth, landing in western Nevada. During the 3 hour balloon ride, the Moon ball experienced temperatures as low as -60 C, air pressures less than 0.1% sea level, and cosmic rays 200 times more intense than on the ground below.
 
This item comes with an LED stand that turns the laser-etched crystaline Moon a beautiful shade of red, blue, green or yellow. It makes a great night light. Also included is a greeting card showing the crystal ball in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space and back again.
 
May the 4th be with you!