The NOAA Magnetometer instrument is set to monitor magnetic field variations around Earth, enabling more accurate forecasts of space weather and its effects on orbiting spacecraft and electric power grids. The advanced technology will result in more timely and accurate weather forecasts, supporting public safety and economic health.
Researchers found a slight increase in lower back pain risk with higher wind speed but it was not clinically significant. This contradicts previous studies that linked cold or humid weather to increased symptoms.
The release of worldwide maps of soil moisture by NASA's Aquarius instrument showcases how wetness of the land changes with seasons and weather phenomena. This data is essential for understanding the climate system and has potential applications in advancing climate models, weather forecasts, drought monitoring, and water management.
Researchers found that fruit flies' Toll pathway failed to respond to a fungal infection in space, while the Imd pathway remained robust. This knowledge may help NASA develop countermeasures for astronauts' weakened immune systems during long-duration space missions.
A new study reveals that regional weather extremes are strongly related to large-scale wave patterns in the atmosphere. The research found that certain regions of Europe, Asia, and the US are more prone to prolonged bouts of unseasonal weather, including hot and cold spells, droughts, and wet periods.
The International Space Station's third annual research conference recognized three notable technology applications in 2013. The SPHERES-Slosh investigation demonstrated improved spacecraft designs by simulating fluid movement in microgravity, while a laser communication system was tested for high-speed transmission between the space s...
A team of OU students created Storm Evader, an iPad app teaching elementary and middle school students about weather patterns by navigating a plane during severe weather events. The app encourages problem-solving and research-based decision-making, appealing to both kids and adults.
A new study reveals that red dwarf planets may be stripped of their atmospheres due to harsh space weather, making life potentially even rarer. The extreme environment also triggers spectacular aurorae, but would lead to constant darkness and hurricane-force winds.
The Solar Ultraviolet Imager and Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors have completed integration with the GOES-R spacecraft, enabling it to observe sun and space weather. This development enhances the prediction capabilities of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, aiding in understanding and mitigating space weather impa...
The TRMM satellite recorded severe weather affecting the Great Plains from May 8 to 9, including three tornadoes in Minnesota. The satellite detected intense rainfall rates of over 6.4 inches per hour in Arkansas and Texas.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a mid-level solar flare on May 8, 2014. The M5.2-class flare is considered weaker than intense X-class flares, but can still disturb the atmosphere and impact GPS and communications signals.
NASA's GOES-East satellite captured visible and infrared data on a storm system that spawned tornadoes affecting seven central and southern U.S. states. The animation shows the development and movement of the storm system, revealing powerful storms and high-altitude cloud tops.
New research from Carnegie Institution scientists highlights the need for policy decisions based on sound science, rather than anecdotal information about local weather. The study finds that even as extreme weather events influence public opinion and support for climate change mitigation, waiting for people to experience these conditio...
The Special Sensor Ultraviolet Limb Imager (SSULI) will provide accurate measurements of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, useful for warfighter applications. The launch improves space weather forecasting, enabling better prediction of signals transmitted or reflected, influencing radar and communication systems.
Researchers reveal that a combination of solar eruptions led to the formation of a powerful storm. The STEREO mission helped detect key features, providing new insights into the causes of extreme space weather events.
A late winter storm brought 6-12 inches of snow to the Mid-Atlantic, with clouds and snowflakes visible on NASA satellite imagery. The NOAA GOES-East satellite captured the storm's path, showing its movement through the region.
A powerful storm system brought drastic temperature changes to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US, with Washington D.C. experiencing a 40-degree drop in daytime temperatures and Buffalo, NY receiving 13.8 inches of snow.
A new Cooperative Research Centre will use lasers to track and remove space debris in low orbits around the Earth. The initiative aims to reduce collision risks for satellites, space stations, and spacecraft.
The Australian National University-led Cooperative Research Centre for Space Environment Management will track space debris, improve predictions of space debris orbits, and predict potential collisions in space. The center aims to reduce the rate of debris proliferation and remove debris using ground-based lasers.
Researchers studied classical plays to reconstruct Europe's climate, finding rare 'halcyon days' of clear weather during midwinter. The study suggests these sunny winter days were a notable phenomenon in ancient Greece.
The first four GOES-R instruments - ABI, SUVI, EXIS, and SEISS - have been delivered to Lockheed Martin for integration. These instruments will improve NOAA's ability to observe weather in near real-time, providing critical data on weather patterns, oceans, and space weather.
Giant hot flow anomalies can swallow Venus whole due to its magnetic field absence, posing a significant threat to the planet's surface. Observations from European Space Agency's Venus Express reveal frequent and large-scale space weather events at Venus.
The new four-year grant will help operators of near-earth satellites and air traffic radar systems safeguard against radiation bursts and energetic particles. Yue Deng's research aims to improve the understanding of neutral wind dynamics in the upper atmosphere, which is crucial for mitigating space weather effects.
NASA and NOAA combined satellite footage shows the massive winter storm's development and movement, with clouds and snow stretching from southern US to northeast. The storm brought freezing rain, significant snow accumulations, and ice storm warnings across mid-Atlantic states.
A new radar network offering higher resolution data and earlier warning of severe weather has been installed in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The system provides finer resolution and improved data on rainfall amounts, wind shear, and tornado signatures within storms.
UI researchers assessed global numerical weather prediction models' performance in predicting severe flooding in Boulder, Colo. in September 2013. The study found that while models generally performed well, there is room for improvement in capturing persistent rainfall and accurately forecasting flood events.
The James Webb Space Telescope is nearing completion, with all 18 primary mirror segments and four science instruments delivered to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The telescope will be the most powerful space telescope ever built, capable of observing distant objects in the universe.
Scientists observe enormous sunspot AR1944, two Earths wide, moving toward the sun's center. The sunspot is part of active regions that can cause space weather events, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
The Solar Ultra-Violet Imager (SUVI) is a new telescope that will observe the sun in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths, identifying active regions, solar flares, and eruptions. This will improve space weather forecasting, enabling earlier warnings for potential impacts on Earth's power grids, communication systems, and orbiting satellites.
A massive ejection of material from the sun in 2012 could have created a technological disaster if it hit Earth, short-circuiting satellites and power grids. The event highlights the need for society to prepare for severe space weather events.
A U of A research team has identified a giant cosmic accelerator above the Earth, accelerating particles to near-light speeds within the Van Allen radiation belt. The discovery could improve space weather forecasts and protect man-made systems from damage.
The EASAC report highlights a 60% rise in extreme weather events in Europe over the last 30 years, including heatwaves, floods, and storms. The report emphasizes the need for immediate EU-driven action to adapt to future climate disruption and reduce uncertainties in regional climate models.
The Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS) instrument on GOES-R will monitor radiation hazards to astronauts and satellites. SEISS data will improve energetic particle forecasts and enhance warning systems for space weather events.
CRaTER, an instrument on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, has made detailed measurements of radiation in deep space. The findings provide crucial data on the high-energy hazards at and around the moon, enabling astronauts to shield against radiation.
Scientists from UNH have published comprehensive findings on space-based radiation hazards using a UNH-led detector aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The data provide critical information on the radiation hazards faced by astronauts on extended missions to deep space like Mars.
The ABI will offer faster imaging with much higher detail, enabling more accurate forecasts of severe weather and other hazards. The instrument's improved capabilities will help save lives and protect communities from extreme weather events.
A new study suggests that melting Arctic sea ice causes a shift in the jet stream, leading to increased rain in northwest Europe during summers. The research also finds that Mediterranean regions will receive less rain, with potential effects on weather patterns as far as North America.
The new journal aims to improve forecasts and early warning systems for weather extremes. It publishes research on managing such events for academics, decision makers, and creating a resilient society.
Researchers from UCLA and international partners use a unique alignment of six spacecraft to measure the release of magnetic energy close to Earth. They discover that this energy is stored in Earth's magnetosphere and released through a process called magnetic reconnection, which powers Earth's auroras and radiation belts.
Scientists tracked energy from the sun to Earth's magnetosphere using eight NASA spacecraft, including ARTEMIS and THEMIS. The research provides insights into substorms and their impact on space weather, with energy flows lasting up to half an hour and covering areas 10 times larger than Earth.
Researchers from the University of Guelph compared 55 years of Wisconsin and Ontario data to determine associations between weather and crop yields. Key findings indicate that hot days during June-July-August and rainfall were significant factors affecting yield, with heat tolerance being crucial for breeding purposes.
A recent MIT study found that high-energy electron activity in space may contribute to failures in geostationary satellites. The research team analyzed data from eight satellites and found that most failures occurred during declining phases of the solar cycle, particularly when Kp index was three or less.
A new study by Stanford scientists found that extreme weather events, such as record-breaking heat, are more likely to occur in the US due to global warming. The researchers analyzed historical weather data and climate models to quantify the increased risk of severe heat events.
A recent CME sent billions of particles into space, reaching Earth in one to three days, potentially causing geomagnetic storms and disruptions to communication signals and power grids.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth on August 20, 2013, affecting satellite systems and power grids. The CME's magnetic fields altered the shape of Earth's magnetosphere, causing geomagnetic storms that can degrade communication signals.
NASA has accepted its newest Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) into the network, replenishing an aging fleet essential for space exploration. The new satellite will provide critical real-time communication support for NASA's human spaceflights, International Space Station activities, and various science missions.
Researchers found that extreme weather events like droughts, heat waves, and storms reduce the amount of carbon absorbed by terrestrial ecosystems, equivalent to about a third of global CO2 emissions per year. Satellites and recording stations documented the effects of these events on forests, bogs, and grasslands.
Researchers used smartphone batteries to crowdsource weather information, estimating daily average temperatures for eight major cities with an accuracy of 1.5 degrees Celsius. This technique could lead to continuously updated weather predictions at a city block resolution, improving the accuracy and specificity of current weather forec...
A CME passed Earth on July 16, 2013, causing a geomagnetic storm that can degrade communication signals and cause electrical surges in power grids. The event was predicted by NASA research models and may also affect the Messenger and Juno spacecraft.
A powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun has been directed towards Earth and Mercury, posing a risk to electronic systems and communication signals. The CME's magnetic fields can cause geomagnetic storms, potentially leading to aurora displays.
A June 20, 2013, solar eruption sent billions of tons of particles into space, potentially affecting electronic systems on satellites and the ground. The event, known as a geomagnetic storm, can cause aurora and degrade communication signals.
The TWINS mission has provided three-dimensional images and global characterization of the magnetosphere, tracking how it responds to space weather storms. The stereo imaging has revealed details on ion movement and escape patterns, helping scientists understand the ring current's behavior.
Scientists from UNH and SwRI report that lightweight materials like plastics provide effective shielding against the radiation hazards faced by astronauts during extended space travel. This finding could help reduce health risks to humans on future missions into deep space.
A new study linking medieval Irish chronicles with ice-core records shows that up to 48 explosive volcanic eruptions caused extreme cold events in Ireland from 431-1649. Volcanic sulfate deposits in ice cores matched written records of heavy snowfall, frost, and prolonged ice covering lakes and rivers.
A study of 333 female patients with fibromyalgia found that weather conditions had no significant impact on their pain and fatigue symptoms. Individual patients may still experience some sensitivity to certain weather conditions, but this is not associated with demographic or mental health status.
The new mathematical model by Professor Kostas Skenderis links flat space-time to negatively curved space-time, governed by laws similar to electromagnetism. The research aims to find a combined understanding of the Universe, combining individual theories to describe its nature.
A mid-level solar flare (M7) was observed by NASA's SDO on May 22, 2013, causing brief radio blackouts at the poles and disrupting GPS signals. The sun is in its solar maximum phase, leading to an increase in flares and coronal mass ejections.
A powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) was detected by NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory on May 17, 2013, traveling at speeds of around 745 miles per second. The CME is expected to cause a geomagnetic storm when it connects with the Earth's magnetic envelope.
Researchers found that European winter weather is more challenging to forecast when the Atlantic airflow is weaker, leading to more complicated weather patterns. This phenomenon is linked to the North Atlantic Oscillation, which affects the relationship between atmospheric pressure systems and European weather conditions.
The STP-H4 payload complement includes three NRL experiments: SWATS, MARS, and GLADIS, which will investigate space weather and its impact on military and civilian systems. The experiments aim to improve forecasting capabilities and provide two-way communications for various sensor arrays.