The TRMM satellite provided a 3-D image of Vania with thunderstorms reaching 15 kilometers high, while Aqua satellite infrared data showed strongest convection over open waters. Tropical Storm Vania is forecast to move south and brush New Caledonia before weakening due to wind shear and cooler sea temperatures.
The GOES series of satellites provided critical weather monitoring services in 2010 and 2011, tracking severe storms, hurricanes, and blizzards. The satellites captured stunning images of weather systems, including the Pineapple Express and a Christmas weekend blizzard, helping to inform travel decisions.
A powerful low-pressure system brought significant snowfall to New England, with some areas receiving over a foot of snow. The GOES-13 satellite captured an image of the storm's center off the Massachusetts coast, showing the extent of the blizzard conditions.
A computer program trained on probability analysis can extract environmental information from satellite images and sensor data about ocean structures. The technology has been tested with high accuracy, offering clues on subtle changes in ocean temperature and global climate conditions.
Simulations suggest Saturn's rings and inner moons formed after a massive satellite collided with the planet. The resulting debris formed the icy rings and ice-rich inner moons.
System 94B is creating heavy rainfall near India's southeastern coast with strong wind shear pushing convection northwest of its center. Heavy rain has been reported in the state of Tamil Nadu, with intense storms producing over 50mm/hr rainfall.
A team of Stanford researchers has successfully tested a device that may help protect satellites from tiny meteoroid collisions. The canopy, which was tested in zero gravity, could potentially be deployed to shield spacecraft from micrometeoroids and interference with electronic equipment.
The GOES-13 satellite is monitoring a cold front approaching the remnants of Hurricane Tomas, which has lost its tropical characteristics and now resembles a nor'easter. The satellite imagery shows the cold front as a line of clouds east of the US East coast, with Tomas' remnants appearing as a tight swirl of clouds near Bermuda.
Hurricane Tomas strengthened to hurricane status, affecting Hispaniola and eastern Cuba. The GOES-13 satellite provided a visible image of the storm's extensive cloud cover on Nov. 5.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Storm Anggrek's cold thunderstorms tightly circling its center. The storm is expected to steadily weaken and dissipate as it encounters cooler waters and stronger wind shear.
Cyclone Giri made landfall in Burma as a Category Four cyclone, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall. The storm's eye was approximately 20 nautical miles wide, with wind speeds reaching up to 155 mph.
System 99L is showing increased organization in the Caribbean Sea, with improved cloud structure and rainfall patterns. Heavy rainfall is expected for the Cayman Islands and Jamaica over the next couple of days.
Typhoon Megi is intensifying in the South China Sea due to high clouds filled with ice creating heavy rainfall. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 110 knots (126 mph) near Hong Kong, China.
Otto intensified into the Atlantic Ocean's 8th hurricane on October 8, bringing heavy rainfall to the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm is expected to strengthen due to light wind shear and warm waters but may weaken when it encounters cooler waters.
Tropical Depression 14W forms near Hainan Island, China, with strong thunderstorms and rapid wind shear detected by NASA's Aqua satellite. The depression's organization and punch are being weakened by wind shear, which is expected to make it turn north-northeast before making a brief landfall in southern China.
Tropical Storm Nicole has weakened into a remnant low pressure area off the Florida coast. A massive trough of low pressure over the eastern seaboard is streaming tropical moisture from Nicole's remnants, bringing heavy rainfall totals to the region.
Tropical Storm Nicole strengthened with NASA's satellite data revealing high thunderstorm clouds and heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides over the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Cuba.
NASA's CloudSat satellite observed a powerful heat engine in Typhoon Malakas, with strong convection and heavy rainfall reported. The storm had maximum winds of around 115 mph and a minimum central pressure of 965 millibars.
NASA's Aqua and TRMM satellites detected increasing cloud top temperatures and heavy rainfall around Tropical Storm Matthew. The storm is expected to strengthen further, bringing hurricane conditions and potential flooding to the region.
Tropical Storm Lisa is currently a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph, forecast to weaken due to colder waters and strong wind shear, then become a remnant low pressure system in the eastern Atlantic by early next week.
Tropical Depression Lisa is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm due to increased convection, but faces challenges from dry air and wind shear. The National Hurricane Center forecasts a 'triple header' threat for Lisa after Friday.
Researchers created a long-term global map of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) using satellite data, providing a comprehensive view of health-sapping air pollution worldwide. The map shows high levels of PM2.5 in Africa and Asia, with over 80% of the world's population breathing polluted air.
The GOES-13 satellite has captured images of three tropical cyclones, including Tropical Storm Lisa in the eastern Atlantic and Tropical Storm Georgette in the eastern Pacific. Lisa is struggling to intensify due to wind shear and dry air, while Georgette is expected to produce heavy rainfall over western Mexico.
Typhoon Fanapi brought very heavy rain to the Pacific Northwest Ocean, with rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches per hour. The storm made two landfalls, one in Taiwan and another in eastern China, causing significant flooding and damage.
Hurricane Igor underwent significant changes in shape and strength due to NASA's MODIS and AIRS instruments, which captured its transformation from a rounded storm to a comma-shaped storm over three days. The storm's cold cloud temperatures and cloud cover were also analyzed by the AIRS instrument.
The Firefly satellite, developed by University of Maryland students, will study Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) and their link to lightning. The mission aims to answer whether lightning triggers or is triggered by these high-energy flashes.
Typhoon Fanapi is approaching Taiwan with strong convection and a tight circulation center, reaching speeds of 97 mph. NASA's Aqua satellite data shows the typhoon consolidating, with a 11-mile-wide eye and a small gap in the eyewall.
Eric Lambin's research integrates remote satellite imagery with door-to-door interviews to understand the complex conditions giving rise to land-use challenges. He has uncovered the political, economic, and social forces driving deforestation and reforestation trends worldwide.
Tropical Storm Fiona is expected to bring 1-3 inches of rainfall to Bermuda, with a tropical storm warning in effect. The GOES-13 satellite imagery shows Fiona as a smaller system compared to its brother, Hurricane Earl.
The newly launched GOES-15 satellite has successfully completed its on-orbit testing and is now operational. It will provide high-resolution images of Earth and track life-threatening weather patterns.
The Virtual Mission Operations Center (VMOC) enables approved users to request satellite services instantly, prioritized based on operational intent. The system reduces the need for a 'man in the loop', improving satellite utilization and command speed.
GOES-13 satellite captures powerful Hurricane Earl, growing Tropical Storm Fiona, and fading Danielle in the Atlantic. The satellite imagery shows Earl's large size and high winds, while Fiona appears disorganized with no apparent center.
CU-Boulder undergraduates and staff successfully decommissioned the Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) after seven years of operation. The team, led by LASP professionals, uploaded commands to burn the remaining fuel and switched off the transmitter, bringing the satellite safely into Earth re-entry.
Tropical Storm Frank has strengthened with increasing convection and tightening thunderstorm bands. NASA's TRMM satellite revealed a deep eye wall and microwave data confirmed the storm's west-northwest trajectory. Heavy rainfall is expected over south-central Mexico, with potential flash floods and landslides.
The remnants of Tropical Depression Five continue to bring heavy rain to Louisiana and Mississippi, with some areas experiencing localized flooding. NASA satellite imagery shows the slow-moving system stretching from Louisiana northeast into Mississippi, with some higher thunderstorms embedded in the cloud cover.
Engineers at the University of Strathclyde have proven Dr. Robert L Forward's 1984 theory on improving satellite telecommunications by displacing geostationary orbits north or south of the equator. This achievement could lead to increased communications capacity and new Earth observation orbits.
The NPP satellite will collect and distribute remotely sensed data on land, ocean, and atmosphere, providing atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, humidity, and ozone measurements. The CrIS instrument will combine with the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder to provide global atmospheric temperature, moisture, and pressure profiles.
System 97L is developing into a system with intense rainfall, affecting Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Hispaniola. NASA satellite data shows strong thunderstorms and cold cloud tops, indicating potential for a tropical cyclone.
System 96E is showing signs of tropically organizing in visible imagery from the GOES-11 satellite. The system is located approximately 300 miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico, with its center near 14.3 North and 104.0 West.
GOES-13 satellite captured images of Hurricane Alex from its formation to landfall in Mexico, providing valuable research data for forecasters. The storm caused severe flooding, mudslides, and record-breaking rainfall.
The NASA GOES Project provides continually updating 'movies' of satellite imagery for Hurricane Alley, allowing on-line viewing on iPhone and iPad. The latest large-scale movie can be accessed at http://goes.gsfc.nasa.gov/goescolor/goeseast/hurricane2/movie/alley_east_conus.mp4.
After making landfall in northeastern Mexico, Tropical Storm Alex has weakened to a tropical storm and is moving west at 12 mph. The system is expected to weaken further, with heavy rainfall the main threat, before dissipating in 24-36 hours.
NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Satellite data reveals heavy rainfall in northeastern Mexico, with estimated totals exceeding 10 inches in various locations. The satellite imagery also shows the hurricane's well-defined eye containing powerful thunderstorms that dropped extreme amounts of rain as it made landfall.
Heavy rainfall was detected in Hurricane Alex using data from NASA's TRMM satellite on June 29, 2010. The analysis revealed a heavy band of precipitation spiraling into the center of the storm, with rain falling at over 2 inches per hour in some areas.
The GOES-13 satellite captured images of two major hurricanes, Celia and Darby, with Celia being a Category Five hurricane and Darby a Category Three. The storms appear to be chasing each other, with Hurricane Celia having the larger eye.
Tropical Storm Darby formed rapidly in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing strong convection indicating speedy strengthening. The storm is expected to strengthen further and make landfall in Mexico within the next 48 hours, prompting residents to monitor its track.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite has observed moderate rainfall around the center of Hurricane Celia, with maximum sustained winds near 105 miles per hour. Celia's wind shear is expected to relax in the next 24 hours, allowing it to strengthen into a Category Three hurricane.
Tropical Depression 2-E had dissipated off the coast of Mexico by June 18, with NASA's TRMM Satellite revealing waning rainfall and moderate ocean precipitation. The depression's maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph, and its minimum central pressure was 1008 millibars.
The NASA Aqua satellite captured an image of the thickest part of the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico on June 10, 2010. The MODIS instrument revealed a sun-glint effect where the oil slick appeared nearly white due to smooth water surfaces.
NASA's Aqua satellite captures infrared image of System 93W, showing a comma-like area of showers and thunderstorms with two areas of strong convection. Forecasters predict a good chance for development in the next 24 hours as the system moves southeast of Hong Kong.
The Aqua satellite captured a detailed image of the oil slick in sunglint, revealing an uneven shape with varying shades of bright gray-beige. The satellite imagery is being used to track the spread of the oil spill and inform fishing regulations.
The GOCE satellite has determined precise gravitational forces in the Himalayas, confirming previous hypotheses of inaccuracies in conventional models. The satellite's data will contribute to a better understanding of geophysical processes, including earthquakes and ocean circulation.
University of Missouri researchers have documented satellite cell movements and behaviors using time-lapse photography. Understanding the interactions between these cells and their 'host' myofiber may help overcome obstacles to gene therapies for muscular dystrophy.
The GEO-PICTURES project combines state-of-the-art satellite communication, navigation, and earth observation to provide accurate optical field observations and tagged position, transferred via satellite-optimized protocols. The platform will be developed in Oslo with several partners and hosted on the CERN campus in Geneva.
NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites provide critical satellite images of the Gulf oil spill to NOAA, helping track its extent. The MODIS instrument on these satellites captured the spill's dimensions on April 26, showing a 600-square-mile area affected.
The MODIS instrument on NASA's Terra satellite captured a visible image of the ash plume from Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano, drifting south and east over the Northern Atlantic Ocean. The ash plume appeared lighter in color than previous days, indicating a potential decrease in volcanic activity.
GOES-13 replaces GOES-12, providing coverage for the eastern US, including the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The satellite helps predict weather and storms, supporting fast and accurate weather forecasts and warnings.
The MODIS Rapid Response System provided near real-time satellite images of the Earth's landmasses, capturing a visible image of Eyjafjallajökull's ash plume over England and the Netherlands. Air travel has been grounded or diverted due to volcanic ash particles posing a risk to airplane engines.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected a weakened Cyclone Paul over the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, leading to the cancellation of all mainland weather warnings. The storm's remnants are expected to track inland and weaken further, with only coastal waters warning in effect.
Cyclone Paul has moved back toward the Gulf of Carpentaria, with a cyclone watch in effect for coastal communities. TRMM satellite data shows light to moderate rainfall over land and isolated heavy rain over the Gulf.