The Arizona State University team will focus on characterizing life's elemental requirements, moving beyond water and energy as criteria for the search. This approach aims to identify more habitable worlds within our solar system and beyond.
For a four-week period in August 2008, Arctic sea ice melted faster than ever before, with an average daily decline of 32,700 square miles. The rate of decline contributes to concerns that all Arctic sea ice could be gone within the century.
The NASA Glory mission aims to measure airborne particles more accurately from space, shedding light on the aerosol effect on climate change. Participants can send their names on a microchip that becomes part of the spacecraft, with a deadline for submission set for Nov. 1, 2008.
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed the entire gamma-ray sky, discovering pulsars in our galaxy and powerful processes near supermassive black holes. The telescope's first all-sky image shows glowing gas, blinking pulsars, and a flaring galaxy billions of light-years away.
NASA deployed its unmanned Ikhana aircraft to gather information on over 300 wildfires burning in California, providing commanders with location and size data to deploy firefighting assets. The flights use a sophisticated sensor that can detect temperature differences up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The GLAST Mission Operations Center (MOC) at NASA Goddard is responsible for several aspects of the GLAST mission, including command planning and monitoring the Large Area Telescope's health and safety. The observatory is commanded from MOC and is receiving high-quality data, enabling optimal science return.
The High-Resolution Soft X-Ray Spectrometer (SXS) will investigate dark matter, galaxy formation, and explore the nature of matter in extreme environments. NASA's Explorer Program Mission of Opportunity has awarded $44 million for the instrument and operations.
NASA's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) uses gridded population products to assess exposed populations in disaster areas. The data helps officials understand population density and calculate casualties, projected homelessness, and secondary impacts.
Two Montana State University graduate students, David Hoffman and Amin Nehrir, have been awarded prestigious $30,000 NASA fellowships for their research on lidar technology. They will work with top scientists at NASA's Langley Research Center, developing instruments to study the climate and atmospheric science.
The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) is scheduled to launch on a United Launch Alliance's Delta II Heavy rocket on June 11. The launch window opens at 11:45 a.m.-1:40 p.m. EDT, pending weather conditions. GLAST will survey the universe over an energy range of 20 million electron volts to over 300 billion electron volts.
NASA has set a new target launch date for the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) on June 7, following additional time needed to resolve engineering concerns. The launch window remains unchanged, and details of the prelaunch news conference are planned.
NASA has scheduled the launch of its GLAST spacecraft for June 5, with a launch window from 11:45 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. EDT. The mission is set to take place on the Eastern Range and will be accompanied by a pre-launch news conference and live commentary on NASA Television.
The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will monitor global sea-level rise and study ocean circulation and its links to Earth's climate. The mission aims to improve weather and climate forecasts, providing better seasonal predictions and near-real-time data on ocean conditions.
Christa Peters-Lidard receives the award for her work on high-resolution land surface modeling and satellite data assimilation, improving U.S. hydrometeorological forecasting capabilities
Scientists from NASA, CDC, and University of Alabama are using public health projects that utilize NASA satellite data on air quality, climate, vegetation, and flooding to explore possible linkages with diseases like lung disease, stroke rates, and asthma.
A NASA satellite mission led by MIT Professor Dara Entekhabi will provide global soil moisture data, essential for accurate weather forecasts and understanding the global carbon cycle. The Soil Moisture Active-Passive mission (SMAP) aims to create a new perspective on how water, energy, and carbon cycles work together.
The Delta II rocket carrying NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST) is being assembled at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket, fueled by nine solid rocket motors, will search for signs of new laws of physics and explore the universe's most extreme environments.
Scientists will investigate how air pollution contributes to climate changes in the Arctic by analyzing air and aerosol samples collected during the campaign. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of atmospheric chemistry and climate effects in the region.
The Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST) satellite is nearing its May 16th launch date as it prepares to provide electrical power with its newly attached solar panels. GLAST's twin solar panels will ensure continuous operation and enable the telescope to explore extreme environments in the universe.
The Triangulum Galaxy, located 2.9 million light-years from Earth, is ablaze with starbirth, according to a new image taken by NASA's Swift satellite. The image showcases the galaxy's high spatial resolution, revealing young, hot stars and star-forming gas clouds in unprecedented detail.
Scientists will embark on a six-week research expedition to measure turbulence, waves, and bubbles in the Southern Ocean to improve the accuracy of climate models. The goal is to understand how gases important to climate change move between the atmosphere and ocean under high winds and seas.
A NASA study reveals that warming air temperatures are causing the surface of Greenland's massive ice sheet to melt, leading to loss of ice throughout the mass beneath. The team found a strong connection between melting on the surface and ice loss below 6,500 feet in elevation.
NASA researchers present groundbreaking discoveries on polar mesospheric clouds, Voyager 2's solar system boundary, Mars rovers' water evidence, and Northern Lights dynamics.
The newly completed map of Antarctica is a result of NASA's state-of-the-art satellite technologies, offering the most geographically accurate and high-resolution views of the continent. The Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica will enable researchers to better plan scientific expeditions and help scientists map various rock formations.
The 2007 Arctic sea ice season saw a remarkable decrease, with record losses shown in NASA satellite images. This drastic change has significant implications for the environment and climate, highlighting the impact of global warming on the Arctic region.
The Montreal Protocol has been a resounding success, with chlorine compound levels leveling off and beginning to decline. Researchers study climate change and the timing of ozone recovery through space-based instruments and computer models, aiming to ensure CFC emissions fall below levels that produce an ozone hole.
Penn State has taken over NASA's Aerospace Education Services Program, shifting its focus from one-time school visits to university-based summer courses. The program aims to make science come alive in students and teachers across the nation, using innovative technologies like GeoWall.
A recent NASA study used gene sequencing to detect a vast array of bacteria in clean rooms, including newly discovered species. The findings will aid in improving cleaning and sterilization methods to prevent false-positive results in detecting extraterrestrial life.
NASA provided critical soil moisture data for affected areas, enabling emergency response teams to track flash flooding and stage rescue efforts. The sensor's detailed maps helped officials predict future flooding risks and avoid casualties.
A NASA airborne expedition will investigate how chemical compounds are transported into the stratosphere, affecting cloud formation and climate. The mission aims to document the life cycle of widespread clouds and understand their impact on a warming climate.
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed agreements to cooperate on the James Webb Space Telescope and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Pathfinder mission. The JWST will investigate galaxy, star, and planetary system origins, operating in space at L2 with a 21.3-foot primary mirror.
NASA is exploring the possibility of adding a lightweight grapple fixture to the James Webb Space Telescope to enable safe emergency servicing operations in space. The feasibility study aims to determine if the feature will be added to the telescope before its planned launch in 2013.
NASA is supporting cutting-edge research at the Earth's polar regions with $18 million in funding for 33 scientific investigations. These studies focus on ice flow, air pollution, sea ice impact on ocean ecosystems, and glacier thickness measurement.
Dr. Brian Sauser, Stevens Institute of Technology Assistant Professor, has been awarded a NASA Faculty Fellowship to conduct research at the Johnson Space Center. He will focus on growing systems engineering competencies and team formation indices to support NASA's return to the Moon and Mars missions.
The US Naval Academy is partnering with NASA to build a satellite called MidSTAR-2, which will carry four experiments into space in 2011. The satellite will study the Earth's thermosphere, gamma rays, and solar winds, providing valuable insights into these phenomena.
Researchers used Earth-based light data to identify dominant photosynthesis colors for extrasolar planets, narrowing the range of expected colors. This new approach will guide future space telescope designs to study habitable planets and detect alien life.
A new NASA study finds that Earth's 'sunscreen' of aerosols has declined since the early 1990s, which could have given a boost to global warming. The finding sheds light on recent climate change trends and may lead to improved understanding of the forces at work.
NASA scientists studied thunderstorms off the African coast using satellites and airplanes to better understand hurricane formation. They discovered that dust plumes from the Saharan Air Layer can suppress hurricane development, but the exact mechanisms are unclear.
Researchers used NASA earth observations to predict wildfires in southern California, identifying key factors such as plant moisture and fuel condition. The study found that the instruments can detect conditions favorable for wildfires, improving wildfire prediction and monitoring capabilities.
The film showcases various phenomena like hurricanes, satellite data collection, and ocean temperature changes. It also features special presentations about Earth's moon and Mars, offering an immersive experience of space exploration.
The new website provides frequent updates on changing ocean temperatures, with two primary types of data: actual temperature readings and sea surface temperature anomalies. Sea surface temperature changes can influence climate, weather, and hurricane patterns, making the website a valuable tool for scientists.
The Antarctic ozone hole reaches its annual peak, providing insights into the impact of the Montreal Protocol ban on CFCs. NASA's satellite data suggests that while the hole has not shown substantial recovery signs, long-term monitoring indicates a possible decrease in size by 2025.
The new Hurricane web portal provides a variety of measurements from NASA instruments, including current conditions, image galleries, event-based data, and tools. The portal also features links to various analysis software systems, such as Giovanni, allowing users to explore and analyze Earth sciences data interactively.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has awarded NASA's Earth Observing System Program the 2006 Space Systems Award. The program, which comprises a series of Earth-observing satellites and an advanced data system, is being recognized for its outstanding achievements in global environmental monitoring.
Katrina's rapid development was aided by favorable atmospheric conditions and warm ocean temperatures. Satellite data from NASA instruments provided crucial information on the storm's cloud motion, rainfall intensity, and wind speeds.
Georgia Institute of Technology researchers are exploring the potential of LCP for high-frequency radio applications, antennas, and circuit boards in space. The material's unique structure provides excellent electrical performance, heat resistance, flexibility, and strength, making it a promising candidate for NASA applications.
SNAP, a NASA-supported mission, aims to measure the expansion history of the universe and investigate dark energy. Using two independent techniques, it will analyze thousands of Type Ia supernovae and independently probe the growth structure of the universe.
Scientists from NASA and the University of Maryland used a new tool to track possible habitats of the ivory-billed woodpecker in delta regions along the lower Mississippi River. The study aims to determine if the species is extinct or still living.
A global survey of coral reefs, built using NASA satellite images, found that only a handful of marine protected areas provide effective protection for fish species and marine life. The study highlights the need for larger reserves to protect these ecosystems.
The new movies released by NASA's Cassini mission provide a realistic experience of the Titan landing. The images taken by Huygens' Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer (DISR) during its plunge into Titan's atmosphere have been converted into movie format, showcasing the probe's descent and the changes it observed in the environment.
Researchers combined NASA's QuikSCAT satellite data with aircraft sensor data from tropical storms, improving the accuracy of hurricane forecasts. The new generation WRF computer model was able to reproduce the structure of rainfalls that caused flooding during landfall, providing valuable insights into tropical cyclones.
Scientists will study the direction and velocity of flows in the corona, a phenomenon visible only during total eclipses. The event also marks NASA's annual Sun-Earth Day program, highlighting the interactions between the sun and our planet.
Researchers investigate transformation of air pollution as it flows downwind from Mexico City, focusing on impacts on human health and climate. The study aims to understand pollution transport across continents and assess regional air quality and climate effects.
The Laser Scaling Device uses twin lasers to add scale to photographs, allowing investigators to measure the size of objects in images. This technology facilitates fast and accurate measurement analysis of digital evidence, facilitating serendipitous evidence detection and improving crime scene investigations.
The Invasive Species Forecasting System (ISFS) uses NASA satellite data to predict and manage the spread of invasive plant species like saltcedar, which is damaging water supplies. Land managers can generate color-coded maps to help combat the spread of these species.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Coastal and Marine Geology Program investigates the extent and causes of coastal impacts of hurricanes and extreme storms on U.S. coasts. NASA technology provides rapid assessment of coastal conditions, supporting USGS research programs and emergency response agencies.
The year 2005 may have been the warmest year in a century, with global temperatures returning to levels seen in 1998. The Earth has warmed by 0.6° C or 1.08° F over the past 30 years and 0.8° C or 1.44° F over the past 100 years.
Scientists are studying the tropopause, a key transition zone in the atmosphere where air from the troposphere flows into the stratosphere. This region is critical for understanding climate change and ozone recovery, with water and bromine chemicals playing major roles.
Recent images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft reveal spectacular evidence of an active moon, Enceladus, with jets of fine, icy particles streaming from its south polar region. The discovery confirms the moon is geologically active and provides insight into its internal heating and possible energy sources.
Two nearly identical spacecraft, STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory), were shipped to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for pre-launch tests. The twin observatories will explore coronal mass ejections and their impact on space weather, obtaining unique 3-D images of the sun.