Tropical Storm Agatha brought heavy rains to El Salvador and Guatemala, causing over 100 deaths and forcing 70,000 people to evacuate. The storm's remnants have entered the northwestern Caribbean Sea with only a 10% chance of reforming into a tropical cyclone due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions.
NASA satellite imagery confirms Tropical Storm Phet's intensification, featuring large areas of high cloud tops and strong convection. The storm is forecast to strengthen further and make landfall along the India-Pakistan border by the end of the week.
A team of researchers combined satellite data and lidar technology to accurately predict bird habitats. They ranked forest habitats as good, fair, or poor based on canopy structure, matching actual ground data 90% of the time.
NASA has successfully completed the Mission Critical Design Review (CDR) of its Landsat Data Continuity Mission, paving the way for full-scale fabrication and assembly. The LDCM will extend Landsat's record of Earth's changing landscapes with evolutionary technology improving performance and reliability.
A low-pressure area, System 90E, is developing in the Eastern Pacific with strong thunderstorms and cold cloud tops, indicating a potential tropical cyclone. The system is expected to continue consolidating over the next 24-36 hours with a good chance of development within the next 24 hours.
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.
Data from NASA's Swift satellite have solved a decades-long mystery about black holes emitting vast amounts of energy. The survey confirms that galaxies colliding trigger the 'lighting up' of supermassive black holes.
NASA engineers have completed a critical design review of the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) instrument, which will help monitor water consumption in the U.S. West. TIRS will extend the Landsat database in the thermal infrared bands needed by various users, providing high-sensitivity cryogenically cooled detector arrays.
A NIRCam engineering test unit has arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to undergo a year-long testing process. The unit, built by Lockheed Martin, will simulate the flight unit's functions before the actual instrument is integrated into the James Webb Space Telescope.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured Bandu's remnants over inland Somalia, measuring cloud-top temperatures with Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS). The storm dissipated due to cooler waters and higher wind shear in the Gulf of Aden, affecting cities like Garowe and Las Anod.
NASA's Distress Alerting Satellite System (DASS) uses mid-Earth orbit GPS to rapidly detect and locate distress signals, greatly enhancing international rescue efforts. The system overcomes current limitations by providing continuous visibility and precision location capabilities.
A NASA 3D image reveals a thunderstorm in Cyclone Laila that reached almost 11 miles high. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite provided data to forecasters, helping them predict rainfall and storm behavior.
Tropical Storm 02A has strong thunderstorms with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots (52 mph) and wind- and wave-heights up to 15 feet. The storm is moving into the Gulf of Aden, where it's expected to strengthen briefly before weakening due to wind shear.
TRMM measured intense rainfall rates near the center and along the Indian coastline, generating storms with hot towers extending up to 14.5 kilometers high. Cyclone Laila's maximum sustained winds reached 50 knots at landfall, prompting forecasts of heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and rough seas for affected regions.
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.
Cyclone Laila has strengthened into a Category One cyclone and is affecting southern India's coastal areas. It is expected to intensify further and make landfall near Andhra Pradesh's coast on May 20.
The Northern Indian Ocean cyclone season has begun with two tropical storms forming within a day of each other. Tropical Storm 02A had maximum sustained winds of 39 mph and was expected to track west-northwest and bring rains and wind to Yemen.
NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull Volcano ash plume being pushed to the northeast due to a low pressure area. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument onboard Terra made the observation on May 18.
Tropical Storm 1B formed on May 18 in the Bay of Bengal after convection increased around a low-level circulation center since May 17. The storm is expected to intensify and make landfall south of Visakhapatham near Chennai.
A visible satellite image shows Eyjafjallajokull Volcano's ash plume shifting to an east-southeasterly direction as a cold occlusion brings cold air under warmer aloft air. The interaction between the volcanic plume and occluded front has changed wind direction from southerly to west-northwest.
NASA mobilized remote-sensing assets to help assess the spread and impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The agency deployed its instrumented research aircraft, ER-2, equipped with satellite observations to assist NOAA, USGS, and Department of Homeland Security in monitoring the spill.
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.
Cyclone 24S was renamed Tropical Storm Sean as it matured, going through two numbered nicknames before receiving its human name. It showed strong thunderstorms with cloud tops as cold as -63°F, and forecasters predict further intensification over the next 12-24 hours.
Tropical Cyclone 24S has strengthened to tropical storm strength with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots, located 570 nautical miles north of Learmonth, Australia. TRMM's rainfall rates indicate areas of light to moderate rainfall, with the storm forecast to intensify before weakening due to increased wind shear.
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.
A new book by NASA climatologist Claire Parkinson examines the coming climate crisis, drawing on 4.6 billion years of Earth's climate history. The book highlights the limitations of computer models and warns of unintended consequences of geoengineering, instead advocating for alternative approaches to reduce climate change.
Swift has detected over 6,000 GRBs, with a 75% share of recorded bursts, offering insights into massive star deaths and the universe's structure. The spacecraft has also monitored black holes and neutron stars for high-energy radiation and conducted long-term X-ray surveys.
The MODIS instrument on NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites captured daily visible and infrared imagery of the ash plume from Eyjafjallajokull volcano. The ash cloud consisted of fine particles of pulverized rock, posing a rare but potentially catastrophic hazard to aviation.
The new tactile learning book 'Touch the Earth' will be presented by NASA at the Earth Day Celebration on the National Mall. The book teaches middle school students about Earth's biomes using multimedia approaches, including sound, visual aids, and Braille. It aims to improve accessibility in science education.
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.
Researchers found that solar wind flowing over lunar polar craters creates a complex electrical environment, affecting surface chemistry and dust cling. The team's calculations reveal that the inside walls and floor acquire a negative electric charge due to electron-ion separation, posing challenges for future exploration.
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.
Tropical Storm Robyn formed in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 2, with maximum sustained winds near 60 knots. The storm's strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are safely nested over open waters, but it is expected to weaken over the next three days due to higher vertical wind shear.
Tropical Storm 23S has formed over the Southern Indian Ocean with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph. The storm is expected to strengthen and intensify over the weekend before being affected by a mid-latitude trough, potentially weakening it.
The TRMM satellite measured heavy rainfall totals from ex-tropical storm Paul, which left up to 11 inches of rain in northern Australia. The data confirmed significant flooding, with areas receiving between 100-200mm of rainfall and some reaching up to 300mm.
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.
Astronomers used the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to map gamma rays emitted by Centaurus A, a galaxy with a supersized black hole. The discovery confirms that microwave photons can be accelerated to gamma-ray energies through inverse Compton scattering.
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.
Cyclone Paul intensified slowly and became a Category 2 cyclone with wind gusts of up to 140 kph. TRMM data showed a deep convective tower penetrating up to 9 miles high, associated with intense rain in the northwestern eyewall.
The James Webb Space Telescope's Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument is a key tool for identifying colors and objects in the cosmos. With its micro-electromechanical system, NIRSpec can analyze light from deep space to help scientists determine the age, chemical composition, and distances of faint galaxies.
Tropical Storm Imani is expected to become a depression over the weekend, weakening due to increasing vertical wind shear. The storm's low-level circulation center is fully exposed on its north side, making it vulnerable to strong winds.
Tropical Storm Omais is rapidly losing strength in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with maximum sustained winds near 39 mph. The system is expected to become fully extratropical on Saturday as it moves north-northeastward at 12 mph.
Tropical storm Omais has doubled in size due to wind shear, weakening from 63 mph to 52 mph. The storm is expected to dissipate over the next day and a half as it encounters cooler, drier air associated with a cold front.
Cyclone Ului brought heavy rain to Queensland, Australia, with TRMM satellite capturing the storm's intense rainfall. The cyclone dumped over 180 mm of rain along its path, with Mackay airport reporting 145 mm in 24 hours.
Cyclone Imani has developed a 'tail' of clouds and reached category one status due to strong winds. The storm's movement is expected to lead to its dissipation within two days.
Tropical Storm Imani is taking a unique shape in the Southern Indian Ocean, resembling a question mark. The storm has strengthened slightly and is forecast to continue intensifying before moving into an area of increased vertical wind shear.
NASA satellites track Tropical Storm Omais in the Philippine Sea with maximum sustained winds near 46mph. The storm is expected to continue moving northwest and dissipate by the weekend.
Tropical Storm 02W is moving northwestward, weakening due to a trough and increasing vertical wind shear. High surf and swells are expected to persist along all shores in Micronesia until Wednesday morning, posing a risk of coastal inundation and hazardous marine conditions.
Tropical Cyclone 21S is a compact storm about 90 miles in diameter, with maximum sustained winds near 46 mph. The storm is moving southwest at 8 mph and is expected to be short-lived due to vertical wind shear, posing no threat to land areas.
The second tropical depression of the northwestern Pacific season has formed, located about 235 miles east-southeast of Yap, Micronesia. Strong convection and thunderstorms are expected, generating 10-foot high waves and high surf across the region.