The Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) has successfully completed its first round of thermal vacuum testing at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The test evaluated the fully-assembled instrument at its normal operating temperature, achieving results that surpass expectations in some areas.
NASA is studying three experimental methods for capturing and transporting particles using laser light, including optical vortex and solenoid beams. The goal is to develop a system that can collect extraterrestrial samples more efficiently and reduce mission costs.
A new analysis of Hubble surveys and simulations reveals that galaxies gained mass through collisions with other galaxies. Large galaxies merged on average once over the past 9 billion years, while small galaxies coalesced with large ones more frequently.
Hurricane Rina is intensifying off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, with NASA satellite imagery showing stronger thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures indicating increased power. The storm is projected to make landfall in the hurricane warning area by Wednesday night or early Thursday, bringing heavy rainfall and dangerous storm surge.
Tropical Storm Rina is forming and strengthening in the western Caribbean Sea, with heavy rainfall affecting Honduras and the Cayman Islands. The storm has a large area of heavy rainfall extending towards the northeast from eastern Honduras.
The Antarctic ozone hole reached its annual peak on September 12, stretching to 10.05 million square miles, with conditions favorable for ozone depletion expected until early December. The latest analysis predicts the ozone hole will persist one to two decades longer than expected.
Astronomers have captured a new image of a star's disk, revealing spiral-arm-like structures that could indicate the presence of hidden planets. The Subaru Telescope's advanced imaging capabilities have revealed these dynamic features for the first time.
NASA has released a series of new satellite data visualizations showing tens of millions of fires detected globally from space. The data helps scientists understand the impact of fire on local, regional and global scales.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured images of the three tropical systems, showing Irwin still with strong convection but Jova without. The National Hurricane Center expects Irwin to become a remnant low within 24 hours.
Astronomers use Hubble's unprecedented precision to map dark matter in 25 massive galaxy clusters, challenging previous assumptions about its distribution. The survey's findings suggest that galaxy cluster assembly may have begun earlier than previously thought.
Scientists are flying a suite of scientific instruments over Antarctica's land and sea ice to study changes in key features like Pine Island Glacier. The mission aims to build a record of change and understand how ice sheets contribute to sea-level rise.
Tropical Storm Irwin regained tropical storm status after displaying spotty areas of strong convection in NASA imagery. The storm's cloud top temperatures were measured at -112F, indicating powerful and high winds.
Tropical Storm Banyan (Ramon) is strengthening over the southern Philippines with winds near 40mph. NASA satellite data shows convection growing in area, with cloud top temperatures exceeding -63F (-52C), indicating wind shear from the east.
Hurricane Jova's eye appears as 'winking' to NASA satellites due to varying cloud cover. Infrared data reveals frigid cloud top temperatures of -80C (-112F), indicating tremendous storm power. The hurricane is expected to make landfall in Mexico tonight, bringing significant flooding and rough seas.
Researchers have found visual evidence for two extrasolar planets in archival Hubble data from 1998, using a novel approach to detect faint planet signals. The discovery allows for the tracking of planetary orbits and provides insight into system stability, mass, and eccentricity.
The European Space Agency (ESA) will collaborate with NASA on the Solar Orbiter mission, a spacecraft designed to study the powerful influence of the sun. The mission aims to understand how solar activity affects Earth's magnetic environment and potentially damaging satellites.
NASA's TRMM satellite provided critical clues to Philippe's strengthening, revealing towering thunderstorms and intense rainfall. The satellite's data showed deep convective towers reaching heights of over 13km, indicating the storm was intensifying.
Tropical Depression 10 and Tropical Storm Irwin formed in the eastern Pacific after Hurricane Hilary dissipated. The storms were detected by NASA's Aqua satellite, which captured strong convection around their centers of circulation.
Tropical Depression Nalgae's remnants are moving towards Vietnam with scattered areas of light to moderate rainfall. The system weakened rapidly after making landfall on Hainan Island, China, losing convection and maximum sustained winds of 20 knots.
Tropical Storm Philippe is battling intense wind shear from the northwest, causing heavy rainfall and powerful thunderstorms on its southeastern quadrant. The storm may strengthen and reach hurricane status in the next couple of days.
A new study by NASA and international scientists detects temperature changes in Venus' upper atmosphere, contrary to the planet's harsh surface conditions. The findings suggest that atmospheric circulation patterns may be more complex than previously thought, with potential implications for understanding Earth's own atmospheric evolution.
Typhoon Nesat is expected to make landfall in the northern Philippines, bringing heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and dangerous surf. The storm has maximum sustained winds near 80 knots (92 mph/148 kmh) and is forecast to cross Luzon and move into the South China Sea.
Hurricane Hilary is experiencing its heaviest rainfall in the northwest quadrant, with rain falling at 2 inches per hour. The storm is also showing signs of strengthening, with cloud tops cooling and towering clouds indicating increased power.
A powerful X1.9-flare has been recorded from sunspot 1302, which is growing and showing no signs of quieting down. The flare could deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on September 26.
The primary structure of NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission has been completed, marking a significant milestone in the project. The spacecraft will undergo static load testing before propulsion subsystem integration begins.
Tropical Depression Haitang is expected to make landfall near Hue, Vietnam tomorrow. Satellite imagery reveals cloud-top temperatures exceeding -63F, indicating strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall ahead.
NASA plans to demonstrate a new optical communications system that can transmit high-definition video and data at speeds of tens of gigabits per second. The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) aims to revolutionize the Agency's communication capabilities, making it possible to stream video from distances beyond the Moon.
Solar activity impacts UARS satellite re-entry due to changes in thermosphere density caused by sunspots and solar flares. The satellite's predicted re-entry time is uncertain due to the dynamic environment, with ongoing solar events potentially affecting its trajectory.
Typhoon Roke intensified from a Category 1 to 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale due to rapid updrafts and heavy rainfall accumulation over Kyushu Island. The TRMM satellite captured 3-D radar data showing significant precipitation reaching altitudes above the freezing level, fueling the storm's intensification.
Tropical Storm Ophelia formed in the Atlantic Ocean after strengthening from low-pressure System 98L. The storm has maximum sustained winds near 45mph and is moving west at 14mph.
Typhoon Roke is bringing intense rainfall to Japan, with areas seeing rain fall at 2 inches/50 mm per hour. Heavy rains are already causing rivers to overflow and prompting evacuations for over 1.1 million people in central Japan's Aichi prefecture.
NASA is testing an element of the sunshield that will protect the James Webb Space Telescope's mirrors and instruments during its mission. The sunshield will consist of five tennis court-sized layers to allow the telescope to cool to its cryogenic operating temperature.
NASA satellite imagery revealed 'hot towers' around Hurricane Maria's center, indicating its inner strength and potential intensification. Cloud temperatures also showed strong convection and powerful thunderstorms, with cloud-top temperatures as cold as -63F/-52C.
Tropical Storm Sonca is bringing moderate to light rainfall as it passes east of the southern island of Chichi Jima. The storm's western quadrant has dry air that suppresses thunderstorm development.
Tropical Storm Roke is consolidating with strong convection and cold cloud-top temperatures, indicating its potential for further strengthening. The storm's environment is favorable for development due to light wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite measured powerful convective storms dropping rainfall at over 50mm/hr northwest of Maria's center. Heavy rainfall bands were detected between the storm's center and Bermuda, with winds predicted to reach minimal hurricane strength by 2:00 p.m. EDT.
NASA's Aqua satellite revealed powerful convection in System 94W, strengthening it into Tropical Storm Sonca. Infrared data showed cloud temperatures and heights, aiding forecasters in predicting the storm's behavior.
Tropical Storm Roke is showing signs of intensification with strong convection and cold cloud tops, posing a threat to Kadena Air Base. Meteorologists expect the storm to strengthen as it approaches the base, bringing tropical storm conditions from Friday to Sunday.
The mirrors of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have completed the coating process with a microscopically thin layer of gold, enabling the telescope to observe extremely faint objects in infrared light. This achievement marks another major success story for the Webb telescope mirrors, ensuring even more scientific discovery potential.
Tropical Storms Nate and Lee are affecting the Gulf of Mexico, while raging wildfires in Texas are also being monitored. The National Hurricane Center forecasts Nate to become a hurricane and make landfall in Mexico this weekend.
Tropical Storm Maria is approaching the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph. The storm may bring 3-5 inches of rainfall to the region, with isolated totals as high as 8 inches.
The Fermi catalog reveals a mix of known and unknown objects, with active galaxies, pulsars, and supernova remnants making up a large portion. Unassociated sources pose an intriguing mystery, sparking research into new types of gamma-ray-emitting objects.
Tropical Storm Lee caused massive rainfall across central Louisiana, Mississippi, and northern Alabama, with some areas receiving over 250 mm. The TRMM satellite's TMPA analysis showed heavy rains extending inland from the Gulf of Mexico, with Chattanooga Tennessee breaking its all-time 24-hour rainfall record.
Hurricane Katia is causing rough surf along the U.S. east coast, while Tropical Storm Lee's remnants bring heavy rain to the Mid-Atlantic states. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Maria appears disorganized, and Tropical Storm Nate is expected to strengthen in the warm waters of the Bay of Campeche.
Tropical Storm Nate formed quickly in the Bay of Campeche near Mexico's east coast, with NASA satellites capturing its rapid development. The heaviest rainfall was found on the southern side of the storm, with cloud tops reaching heights of up to 14km.
Sunspot 1283 has erupted with multiple flares, including an X1.8 flare on September 7 and a moderate M6.7 flare on September 8. NASA predicts that the latest coronal mass ejection may cause some aurora on the morning of September 11.
Tropical Storm Maria is expected to strengthen over the next two days, with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph. Hurricane Katia, a Category one hurricane, is moving between Bermuda and the U.S., prompting a tropical storm watch for the island.
Researchers found 15% of flares have a late phase with increased energy output. This discovery could improve predictions of space weather affecting Earth's communications and GPS signals.
Lee's surface circulation absorbed by a large extratropical low pressure area near the Tennessee/Virginia border. Heavy rainfall expected from central Appalachians into New England, with totals up to 10 inches until week's end.
The mission has provided sharper views of the lunar surface, including the trails left by astronauts and the tracks laid down by the lunar rover. The higher resolution allows scientists to retrace the astronauts' steps with greater clarity to see where they took lunar samples.