The moon was bombarded by two distinct populations of asteroids or comets in its youth, resulting in a more complex surface than previously thought. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft provided unprecedented global topographic maps using the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA), highlighting lunar craters with clarity.
Hurricane Igor is a monstrous storm, stretching over 500 miles in diameter. Maximum sustained winds near 145mph indicate weakening, but the hurricane remains powerful and expected to hit Bermuda in the next few days.
Hurricane Julia intensified rapidly overnight, becoming a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. NASA satellites captured clues as they passed over her from space, including heavy rainfall dropping at over 50 mm/hr and a clear eye structure with impressive cloud top enhancement.
Tropical Storm Karl made landfall on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm brought sustained winds of 49 mph and a wind gust of 62 mph to the area.
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder captured icy cold cloud top temperatures in Hurricane Igor, with readings as low as -90F. The storm's eye showed a warmer, open area with sea surface temperatures powering it.
System 92L is developing a tropical depression signature with organized showers and thunderstorms. The system has a 40% chance of becoming a tropical depression over the next couple of days, posing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides in the Caribbean region.
NASA satellites detect intense rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour around Igor's circular eye, indicating powerful thunderstorms. The storm is expected to remain a Category 4 hurricane for the next couple of days, posing significant threats to affected areas.
Tropical Storm Julia was born on September 12 with strong convection and heavy rainfall, powered by a cold core that reached temperatures as low as -63°F. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next few days, potentially reaching hurricane status.
Researchers used Landsat data to map areas hardest hit by mountain pine beetles and found that large fires do not appear to occur more often or with greater severity. Beetle-killed forest swaths may actually be less likely to burn due to the breakdown of flammable volatile oils, and standing dead tree trunks can act as natural fire logs.
The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization has launched a new online fire detection system using NASA satellite data, providing daily fire maps and images. The system enables firefighters to respond more efficiently and reduces the risk of wildfires and associated pollutants.
Tropical Storm Hermine formed quickly in the Gulf of Mexico, producing heavy rains over northeastern Mexico and South Texas. The storm's organization was enhanced by extremely warm sea surface temperatures, which powered its rapid intensification.
Hurricane Earl has weakened to a Category 2 storm with powerful winds of 104 mph due to increasing wind shear and cooler waters. NASA satellites captured rainfall data, showing moderate rainfall mostly north of the storm's center.
The GOES-13 satellite captured an image of Hurricane Earl northeast of North Carolina, showing a huge storm with cloud cover stretching over the northeastern U.S. The category 2 hurricane is expected to turn towards the northeast and approach southeastern New England.
Tropical Storm Fiona is weakening and stretching out in a north-south direction, according to NASA satellite data. Forecasters expect her to dissipate over the holiday weekend in the Atlantic Ocean.
NASA's Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) mission is analyzing Hurricane Earl's structure and behavior. The GRIP aircraft are equipped with instruments such as HAMSR, which provides detailed data on the storm's temperature, water vapor, and cloud liquid water distribution.
Tropical Storm Kompasu is becoming extratropical as it moves northeastward towards northern Japan. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 56 mph, but they were waning at 1500 UTC on September 2.
NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite observed heavy rainfall within Hurricane Earl, with rates exceeding 2 inches per hour. The Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is gathering information about the storm from 60,000 feet high, aiding scientists in understanding rapid intensification.
Tropical Depression Nine strengthened into Tropical Storm Gaston before weakening back into a depression due to dry and stable air. The storm's compact circulation showed high, cold thunderstorm cloud tops reaching -63 degrees Fahrenheit.
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.
NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument captured an infrared image of Tropical Depression 9 showing high thunderstorm cloud tops and strong convection. The depression formed in the Atlantic Ocean with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph, moving west at 15 mph.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared imagery showing two areas of strong convection north and south of Fiona's center, with cloud tops as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is intensifying, bringing tropical storm conditions to the Northern Leeward Islands with potential rainfall accumulations of 1-3 inches.
Hurricane Earl is producing heavy rainfall of over 50 mm/hr in Puerto Rico as a category four hurricane with wind speeds of about 115 knots. The storm is expected to maintain intensity for the next few days, impacting the Bahamas and eastern North Carolina.
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.
NASA's Terra satellite captured Tropical Storm Lionrock, Tropical Storm Namtheun, and Typhoon Kompasu in one image. The two storms are expected to merge, while Typhoon Kompasu is headed for a landfall in China with maximum sustained winds near 109 mph.
Hurricane Danielle has reached Category 2 status with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, driven by low wind shear and warm waters. Forecasters expect the storm to intensify over the next 24 hours, potentially becoming a major hurricane by Wednesday.
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.
Tropical Storm Mindulle made landfall in central Vietnam on August 24, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm's center was located near Vinh city, with maximum sustained winds near 46 mph.
Newly discovered cliffs on the moon indicate that it shrank globally in the geologically recent past and might still be shrinking. The cliffs, called lobate scarps, are relatively young and have a semi-circular or lobe-shaped appearance.
A new study by NASA researchers found that global plant productivity declined by 1% between 2000 and 2009 due to regional drought, contradicting previous findings of increased productivity with warming temperatures. The decline in plant growth has significant implications for food security and the global carbon cycle.
NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder captured an infrared image of Tropical Depression 5's (TD5) remnants on August 18, showing showers and clouds extending from Louisiana northeast into Tennessee. The strongest thunderstorms were located over south central Louisiana and north central Alabama, producing heavy rainfall.
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.
NASA satellites have been tracking Tropical Depression 5's remnants, which are bringing heavy rainfall to southeastern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch and Coastal Flood Advisory due to the expected heavy rainfall and coastal flooding.
Astronomers detected X-ray eclipses from a fast pulsar, shedding light on compressed matter and testing relativity. The system's unique properties revealed the size and mass of the companion star with unprecedented accuracy.
The IBEX spacecraft has mapped interactions between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere, revealing a chaotic pileup of charged particles along the magnetopause. The study provides new insights into the tenuous nature of Earth's outer exosphere and its interaction with the solar wind.
Tropical Depression Five's remnants have re-emerged in the Gulf of Mexico, with NASA satellites tracking its thunderstorms and potential for rebirth. The system has a 60% chance of developing into Tropical Depression 5 again, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to coastal areas.
NASA's TRMM satellite is monitoring heavy rainfall and potential flooding in southeastern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi due to Tropical Depression Five's remnants. Rainfall amounts of up to five inches are possible, with isolated areas experiencing even more intense downpours.
Astronomers detected gamma rays from a nova using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, surprising scientists with evidence of high-energy radiation. The discovery sheds new light on the power of nova explosions and their potential to emit gamma rays.
Tropical Storm Dianmu made a quick track over South Korea and entered the Sea of Japan, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing its infrared image. The storm is transitioning into an extra-tropical storm due to increasing vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures.
NASA's TRMM satellite confirms better organization in Tropical Depression 5, leading to its classification as the fifth tropical depression in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters predict strengthening into Tropical Storm Danielle in the next day or so.
Tropical Storm Colin formed after strengthening from Tropical Depression 4, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph and no expected impact on land areas. The storm is moving west-northwest at 23 mph and is forecast to pass northeast of the Leeward Islands late Wednesday and early Thursday.
Tropical Storm Bonnie strengthened into a tropical storm, bringing heavy rainfall to south Florida. The GOES-13 satellite provides visible images of the storm's cloud-covered center, and forecasts indicate it will pass near the Florida Keys and southern Florida before moving over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Chanthu, a tropical storm, made landfall in southeastern China and began to weaken, according to NASA infrared imagery. The storm's cloud temperatures and convection are decreasing, indicating reduced intensity.
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.
Tropical Depression 3 has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, triggering warnings for the Bahamas and Florida. The system strengthened into a tropical depression on July 22, with maximum sustained winds of near 35 mph and an estimated minimum central pressure of 1008 millibars.
A NASA-funded research scientist has developed a supercomputer model that can replicate the formation of tropical cyclones five days in advance. This breakthrough could lead to greater accuracy and earlier warnings for life-threatening storms.
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.
Tropical Storm Chanthu has a large area of moderate to very heavy rainfall near the southeast China coast, with rain rates reaching up to 2 inches per hour. The storm is forecast to pass just north of Hainan Island and make landfall near Luichow Peninsula in southern China mainland on July 22.
Tropical Storm Chanthu is forecasted to make a landfall south of Hong Kong due to dry air and increased wind shear. Infrared imagery shows strong convection from northeast to southwest, but missing on the west side of the storm.
Scientists have created a first-of-its-kind map detailing the height of the world's forests using satellite data. The map provides insights into how much carbon the world's forests store and how it cycles through ecosystems, helping to explain the 'missing' 2 billion tons of carbon annually.