New NASA video: 21 named storms in the 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season
The new NASA animation shows the tracks of all 21 named storms, including Arlene and Wilma. The video is available for download in various formats, including MPEG-1 and JPEG.
The new NASA animation shows the tracks of all 21 named storms, including Arlene and Wilma. The video is available for download in various formats, including MPEG-1 and JPEG.
A NASA study suggests that a warmer climate may not result in a wetter world, with simulations showing an increase in global evaporation and precipitation. However, the atmospheric storage of water vapor decreases as temperatures rise.
The study revealed significant changes to the island, including beach erosion and overwash deposition. The data will be used to develop computer models predicting coastal impacts from severe storms.
Researchers dropped instruments called dropsondes into the hurricane to measure temperature, pressure, winds, and more. The study reconstructed the structure of the eye in three dimensions from high altitude to great detail.
Satellites have recorded a significant loss in Arctic sea ice extent, with the minimum concentration reaching 2.05 million sq. miles in 2005. The decline is attributed to warming trends and climate changes, which are expected to continue due to projected Arctic warming.
A new study reveals that tropical deforestation affects rainfall in the US and around the globe, with significant changes observed in various regions. Deforestation in Amazonia influences precipitation in Mexico to Texas, while Central Africa affects the US Midwest, and Southeast Asia alters rainfall in China and the Balkan Peninsula.
A new study using NASA satellite images found that MODIS can detect changes in Amazon land cover rapidly and reliably. This technology allows for regional analyses of land cover in a matter of days, reducing the time required for analysis compared to high-resolution Landsat data.
A team of NASA scientists, led by Dr. Michael King, traveled through Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Eritrea to find locations for AERONET sunphotometers. They identified several ideal sites in East Africa to study aerosols and their effects on climate change.
Scientists at NASA have developed a way to process radar data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, providing 3D snapshots of hurricanes. This allows forecasters to access information on heavy rainfall rates and cloud heights within three hours, helping them make more accurate forecasts.
NASA's National Lightning Safety Awareness Week aims to educate summer swimmers, picnickers, and others on the dangers of thunderstorms. The agency's research has created lightning maps that reveal uneven global distribution of lightning strikes, indicating areas prone to storms.
The American Geophysical Union issues a position statement warning that NASA's commitment to innovative Earth and space science programs is under threat due to new financial demands. This could lead to decimated effective programs and degraded capabilities in weather forecasting, search and rescue, and life and property protection.
NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers Opportunity and Spirit have been studying geology on opposite sides of Mars for over a year. The rovers have found extensive layered bedrock, including rocks containing the mineral Ilmenite, which suggests a shared origin and diversity in volcanic rocks in the Gusev region.
The launch of NASA's satellite has been rescheduled for May 14. Coverage will be available on NASA TV starting at 4 a.m. EDT, and the satellite will be broadcast via AMC-6 and AMC-7 transponders.
NASA has postponed a scheduled satellite launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch, originally set for May 12, will now take place pending favorable weather conditions. NASA TV coverage is available online and via satellite.
Scientists found that auroral ovals in the northern and southern hemispheres do not form mirror images, contrary to previous thought. The study suggests that the tilt of the Earth's magnetic field towards the Sun and conditions in the solar wind play a crucial role in shaping the auroras.
A NASA study suggests that soot may be contributing to the changes observed near the North Pole, including accelerated sea ice and snow melting, as well as altering atmospheric temperatures. The research found that a significant portion of soot comes from South Asia, with smaller contributions from other regions.
The partnership aims to utilize NASA satellite data to help manage forest resources in Acadia National Park. NPS and NASA will share information and collaborate on training, technical support, and education to benefit each other's goals.
NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers and the Cassini-Huygens Mission will be discussed, highlighting new discoveries and future exploration plans. The AAAS annual meeting also features presentations on climate change, urban decision-making, and revolutionary engine architectures.
The 2004 global average temperature was 0.48 degrees Celsius above the 1951-1980 baseline, making it the fourth warmest year on record. Human-made pollutants play a significant role in climate change, with Earth's surface absorbing more solar energy than reflected back to space.
The National Invasive Species Council (NISC) partners with NASA to improve invasive species management. NASA provides Earth observations and predictive models to enhance partner abilities, improving accuracy and timeliness of predictive maps and plant species distribution forecasts.
A team of international scientists is measuring the Arctic atmosphere to validate NASA's Aura satellite data. The focus is on understanding ozone depletion in this sensitive region, which can have severe effects on humans and ecosystems.
Indiana University geologists David Bish and Juergen Schieber will join NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, a rover mission set to launch in 2009. The rover will explore a local region as a potential habitat for past or present life, shedding light on the Martian surface's composition.
Scientists studied intercontinental smog ozone processes associated with the brown cloud over South Asia using a new NASA technique combining satellite and balloon data. The study found that both brown cloud pollution and natural processes contribute to unhealthy levels of ozone in the troposphere.
A new NASA book, 'Touch the Sun,' allows visually impaired students to explore solar science through embossed color pictures, Braille, and large-print descriptions. The book features 16 photographs of the sun and space weather, selected by Dr. Joseph Gurman and Steele Hill.
A new NASA tool called Giovanni allows high school and college students to access and analyze satellite-derived ocean color data, providing insights into ocean biology. The tool uses chlorophyll patterns to study phytoplankton growth and its connection to El Nino/La Nina events.
A NASA study reveals that planting trees on marginal agricultural lands can sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide, potentially offsetting one-fifth of the US's annual fossil fuel emissions. Additionally, research suggests that insect outbreaks linked to droughts and heat waves may contribute to increased greenhouse gas levels.
Scientists have found significant acceleration in the world's fastest glacier, Jakobshavn Isbrae, which nearly doubled its discharge of ice between 1997 and 2003. Meanwhile, Arctic sea ice has been declining at an alarming rate, with some areas experiencing 9.2% per decade decline.
NASA is collaborating with Idaho National Laboratory (INEEL) to evaluate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for routine fire surveillance and management. The project aims to improve speed, safety, and cost efficiency in firefighting efforts.
NASA has successfully tested artificial intelligence (AI) software that can detect and diagnose errors in satellite systems. The Livingstone Version 2 (LV2) software is being used to troubleshoot the NASA Earth Observing One (E0-1) satellite's instruments and systems, allowing for more efficient and effective maintenance.
Researchers found that ice shelf collapses in the Antarctic Peninsula can cause nearby glaciers to accelerate by up to eight times, leading to rapid elevations drops and increased sea level rise. The study provides clear evidence of the relationship between ice shelf breakdown and accelerated glacier flow.
RIT will receive $1.2 million to study nanomaterials and nanostructures for space photovoltaics, aiming to develop more efficient solar cells for robotic exploration. The goal is to upgrade power supplies, improving performance and range for NASA's robotic missions.
NASA's TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 satellites offer near-real-time lake water height data for 350 of the world's largest lakes. The US Department of Agriculture uses this information to manage irrigation and forecast crop production, particularly in areas with limited access to traditional water level gauges.
TRMM has provided significant scientific research data over seven years, aiding NOAA and other agencies in monitoring rainfall and storms. NASA will continue to operate the satellite through the 2004 hurricane season to capture additional storm data.
Aura, NASA's latest Earth-observing satellite, was launched to study the health of the Earth's atmosphere, focusing on ozone layer recovery and climate change. The satellite will survey the atmosphere from the troposphere to the stratosphere, using four instruments to collect data on air quality and its impact on the planet.
Researchers use the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array to monitor storm weakening and strengthening, improving severe weather detection. NASA's satellite technology provides near real-time data on severe weather and lightning strikes worldwide, aiming to reduce false alarms and improve forecasting accuracy.
Aura will provide unprecedented information on the composition of the atmosphere and its impact on climate change and air quality. The satellite will help scientists understand how atmospheric composition affects and responds to changing climate conditions.
Scientists from NASA's Terra satellite are tracking global air pollution trends, shedding light on how pollutants spread around the globe. The data reveals seasonal and annual variations in CO and aerosol levels, providing clues about Earth's changing climate.
The combined database will help researchers determine the origin of magnetic signals in Earth's crust. With over 36,000 rock samples, it will improve our understanding of Earth's structure and development.
New NASA technology enhances NOAA's weather forecasts by integrating satellite data and lightning tracking, leading to more confident seven-day severe local storm forecasts. This improved prediction capability can also enhance tornado warning lead times and better predict thunderstorm occurrence.
NASA satellites provide daily, high-quality data on crop productivity, surface temperature and snow cover to support decision-making for FAS analysts. The data helps monitor natural disasters' impact on crops and assess water levels in lakes and reservoirs.
The SeaWinds scatterometer on NASA's QuikSCAT satellite provides ocean surface wind speed and direction measurements, leading to improved storm predictions at sea. This increased accuracy brings economic savings and reduces weather-related loss of life, especially in global shipping.
The PERs will allow museum visitors to search for organo-fluorescent evidence of life in a Martian terrain, mimicking the role of NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers. The robots are powered by Intel technology and can move at 1.6 inches per second, providing an interactive experience for visitors.
NASA will conduct thousands of experiments at its new $34 million Space Radiation Laboratory to develop materials and countermeasures protecting spacecraft crews from harmful space radiation. The laboratory, built in cooperation with the Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, simulates the harsh space environment.
REAl Glass has unique qualities useful for creating materials for demanding optical applications. The glass is made from Rare Earth oxides, Aluminum oxide and small amounts of silicon dioxide. It can be used to create efficient power lasers and expand coverage to new wavelengths, making it a promising material for surgical lasers.
NASA satellites sample critical 'ingredients' to predict hurricane formation, including sea surface temperature of at least 82 F, rotating winds, air temperature, and humidity. The data helps forecasters determine storm strength, location, and tracks.
NASA has awarded a total of $28 million in research grants to study the effectiveness of existing materials and develop new, multifunctional spacecraft materials with high radiation shielding capabilities. The grants will help reduce crew health risks from space radiation and improve understanding of radiation health effects.
NASA has created high-resolution world maps showing the frequency of lightning strikes worldwide, providing unique insights into climate information. The data indicates uneven distribution of lightning strikes globally, with increased activity in certain regions during El Nino events.
Researchers used NASA's Electrostatic Levitator to prove a 50-year-old hypothesis on nucleation, a process crucial for materials and biological systems. The study showed that liquid metals resist turning into solids due to an atomic 'nucleation barrier', a fundamental mismatch in atom arrangement.
The Carnegie Mellon, NASA collaboration aims to push the limits of technology in harsh environments using a robotic system that will use sensing and intelligence to find land forms or environmental conditions that could harbor life. The project involves annual field experiments in the Atacama Desert with an increasingly capable robot.
Jeneene Sams, a NASA space product manager, works with companies to conduct experiments in space that improve their products and ultimately people's lives. She sponsors two commercial experiments: one on growing zeolite crystals that can store hydrogen, a pollution-free fuel, and another testing a fire-fighting system in microgravity.
NASA's Public Health Applications Program aims to provide public health agencies with innovative technologies, data, and satellite-based tools to combat the disease. The program helps identify environmental indicators, predicts disease outbreaks, and informs mosquito surveillance efforts.
The projects will investigate low dose radiation effects on human cells, DNA repair, and respiratory cells. Funding is provided by the DOE Office of Science's Office of Biological and Environmental Research and NASA's Space Radiation Health Program.
The NASA consortium aims to create self-repairing materials that mimic the properties of biological substances like bone and sea shells. Researchers will focus on creating innovative composites of organic and inorganic compounds to make airplanes and spacecraft lighter, stronger, and more reliable.
The AEROCAN subnetwork measures aerosols globally, verifying NASA's Terra satellite data and providing a complete picture of pollution. Forest fires in western Canada generate significant aerosol effects, affecting visibility and air quality.
A Stanford scientist is conducting a groundbreaking study to determine the long-term effects of hypergravity on humans. Participants will spend nine weeks in a NASA centrifuge rotating at increasingly faster speeds, simulating conditions found during space shuttle takeoff and landing.
A NASA study reveals strong relationships between El Niño episodes and changes in Antarctic sea ice cover, indicating a connection between the Southern Oscillation and global climate. The findings suggest that El Niño affects regional ice distributions, with notable associations observed in the Amundsen, Bellingshausen, and Weddell Seas.
Scientists discuss advancements in predicting extreme weather events, analyzing changes in global snow and ice cover, and the challenges of global environmental monitoring. New data from NASA's Earth-observing spacecraft reveal complex patterns in climate change and its effects on our planet.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) has been selected by NASA to develop the first mission to explore Pluto and the Kuiper Belt region. The New Horizons: Shedding Light on Frontier Worlds mission will use a team of scientists and engineers from various institutions to design, build, and operate the spacecraft.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft will continue to provide vital data on global rainfall and climate change with its extended mission. Scientists anticipate improved climate predictions and a more robust record of rainfall patterns.
The Terra satellite beams daily images of western U.S. wildfires to NASA, which are then transmitted to the Forest Service. The collaboration uses MODIS data to create Active Fire Maps that help resource allocation decisions and aid in public understanding of fire locations.