Scientists detected a long-term increase in tropical rainfall, with the rainiest years since 2001. The increase is attributed to a warming trend, which enhances evaporation and allows more moisture to form clouds.
Scientists have developed algorithms to enable the 19 individual mirrors of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to function as one telescope, allowing for sharper images and detection of distant galaxies. The 'Wavefront Sensing and Controls' system was tested successfully on a scale model and through computer simulations.
Sea surface temperatures are crucial for tropical cyclone formation, and recent data shows warming in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and eastern Atlantic. This warming contributed to Hurricane Dean and Tropical Storm Erin, with forecasters warning that the upcoming hurricane season will be a mixed bag.
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 researcher has created a new method to anticipate food shortages brought on by drought using satellite remote sensing of crop growth and food prices. The model can help humanitarian aid organizations and decision makers predict how much food will be available and its cost, taking climate variables into account.
An international team of astronomers has discovered a new type of active galaxy that was previously overlooked due to its heavy shrouding in gas and dust. The newly found galaxies are thought to comprise around 20% of the X-ray background, providing insight into supermassive black holes and their role in controlling galaxy formation.
A NASA researcher has developed a new method to anticipate food shortages brought on by drought using satellite remote sensing of crop growth and food prices. The model can help government and humanitarian aid officials plan and respond to drought-induced food price increases, reducing the risk of famine.
The Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite has captured the first occurrence of mysterious iridescent polar clouds. The clouds form during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season and are being seen more frequently at lower latitudes than ever before. Preliminary information suggests a connection with global climate change.
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.
Astronomers have observed two Type II and Type Ia supernovae exploding in the same galaxy just 16 days apart. The rare event is unlikely to be related to anything unusual about the galaxy.
The GLAST team is testing the satellite in a 'clean room' to prevent contamination due to dust and humidity. The clean environment ensures the sensitive instruments are protected during development, construction, and testing.
The James Webb Space Telescope model is on display in Dublin, Ireland, providing a glimpse into the successor to the Hubble Telescope. The model was built by Northrop Grumman and weighs over 12,000 lbs., featuring a sunshield that 'breathes' thanks to a special material imported from France.
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.
The Canadian Space Agency has awarded a $39 million contract to COM DEV International Ltd. to build the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) and Tuneable Filter Imager (TFI) camera for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. These instruments will provide essential pointing capability and unique science capabilities, including infrared imaging and pl...
China's Three Gorges Dam, a massive hydroelectric power generator, is being constructed on the Yangtze River. NASA satellites have provided detailed views of the dam's construction and its impact on climate and environment.
Astronomers can now compete for coordinated observing time on both GLAST and NRAO radio telescopes to study celestial objects in multiple wavelengths. This collaboration enables the study of flares from blazars, a key area of research to understanding supermassive black holes.
Climate models predict the West Antarctic ice sheet and Arctic sea ice will collapse due to continued global warming. The researchers estimate that additional global warming of 1ºC above 2000 levels is likely to be 'dangerous'.
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.
A NASA-led research team has measured critical areas of Greenland's ice sheet and glaciers, finding a significant loss of ice over the past several years. The data suggests that the island's major glaciers have sped up in thinning since the turn of the century, with documented changes of up to 100 feet per year.
The study reveals that the Sun's magnetic field allows the release of wave energy from its interior, enabling sound waves to travel through fountains into the solar chromosphere. This discovery sheds light on why the chromosphere is hotter than the star's surface and has significant implications for climate variability.
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.
A NASA-funded project using satellite observations has shown an increase in days of snow melting on Greenland's ice sheet over the past 18 years. The resulting data helps scientists understand the speed of glacier flow and how much water will pour into the surrounding ocean.
CMEs can produce radiation storms, but detecting them through radio signals may provide warning to astronauts and satellite operators. Strong CME shocks accelerate particles in the solar wind, producing both radio signals and radiation storms.
Astronomers used Spitzer to study the Coma cluster, finding almost 30,000 objects, including 1,200 previously unknown dwarf galaxies. The discovery implies a total population of at least 4,000 dwarf galaxies in the cluster.
Astronomers have determined the properties of a rare binary star system using NASA's FUSE satellite and ground-based telescopes. The system, LH54-425, consists of two massive O-stars with combined mass of about 100 suns, orbiting each other every 2.25 days.
Astronomers using NASA's Swift satellite have discovered that energetic flares seen after gamma-ray bursts are a continuation of the burst itself. GRBs release enormous energy in seconds, and long-duration bursts come from massive star collapse, forming black holes or neutron stars.
Researchers have successfully applied a new method to determine the masses of black holes in binary systems, including Cygnus X-1 and NGC 5408. The technique takes advantage of X-ray observations of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) and their relationship with the accretion disk.
Researchers found that tidal forces caused by Saturn's gravity can control the timing of eruptions from cracks in Enceladus' southern hemisphere. The study suggests that these cracks, known as Tiger Stripes, are warmer than their surroundings and may be the source of eruptions.
Computer simulations of Hurricane Bonnie's movement show that pockets of warm humid air flowing from the hurricane's eye to its ring of thunderstorms boost energy, increasing storm strength. This 'turbocharger' effect helps hurricanes remain intense despite weakening influences like cooler ocean temperatures and wind shear.
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.
A new NASA study suggests that greenhouse-gas warming may raise average summer temperatures in the eastern United States nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the 2080s. This could lead to extremely hot summertime temperatures, especially during summers with less-than-average frequent rainfall.
Scientists discover extensive 'twilight zone' of particles beyond individual clouds, affecting up to 60% of atmosphere previously labeled as cloud-free. The discovery complicates climate change predictions and may require recalculating estimates of solar energy reflection.
A team of experts approved ten new technologies for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which will allow scientists to study the first generation of stars and galaxies. The new tech includes microshutter arrays and wavefront sensing and control, reducing the risk of increased costs and schedule delays.
A recent experiment confirmed what NASA satellites are telling us about how changes in clouds can affect climate in the coldest regions on Earth. Researchers found extremely high ice water content in snowstorms and embedded layers of liquid water in very cold multi-layer cloud systems.
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.
GLAST will study extreme objects, detecting thousands of new gamma-ray sources and extending knowledge of dark matter. Environmental testing begins after successful integration of components, ensuring the spacecraft can survive launch and space conditions.
The Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) spacecraft aims to probe mysterious polar mesospheric clouds that dot the edge of space, providing insight into climate change indicators. The mission will analyze cloud formation, size, and composition using three instruments.
Researchers have confirmed that the 'anomalous arms' in galaxy M106 are regions of gas violently heated by shock waves, not jets of particles. The team's analysis shows clear consistency with their scenario, providing insight into the formation and evolution of these mysterious structures.
Scientists found strong evidence that a major earthquake can cause a nearly immediate increase in regional volcanic activity. The intensity of two ongoing eruptions on Indonesia's Java Island increased sharply following a powerful earthquake, and the increased activity persisted for about nine days.
Astronomers observed a massive star suffering a double whammy, with the star surviving one outburst before exploding as Supernova 2006jc. The study found that the supernova's blast wave interacted with material ejected by the star two years earlier, indicating a unique stellar evolution process.
A NASA study suggests that tiny dust particles may have contributed to the relatively calm 2006 Atlantic hurricane season by cooling ocean waters. The research found that Saharan dust concentrations played a major role in shaping the season, potentially even initiating pre-existing conditions due to El Niño.
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.
The study of gamma-ray burst (GRB) 060729 reveals a wider energy release and potential magnetar powering some GRBs. The XRT detected the GRB's afterglow for over 125 days, defying expectations.
Researchers have produced a high-resolution map of Antarctica, offering 10 times greater detail than previously possible. The map allows for zooming in on specific regions, including dry valleys, and provides clear views of the ice sheet's surface.
Researchers have discovered four large subglacial lakes beneath Antarctica's surface that contribute to the formation of ice streams and play a crucial role in transporting ice towards the ocean. The lakes' water helps lubricate the bed of the stream, speeding up its flow and potentially disrupting climate patterns.
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 use a new technique to analyze rainfall trends, finding systematic patterns in heavy and light rain, but no consistent trend in moderate rain. The study resolves the challenge of detecting long-term global rainfall trends, providing insight into climate change's impact on weather events.
Scientists have obtained a spectrum of a planet orbiting another star, revealing the presence of silicate dust in its atmosphere. The discovery was made using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and represents a significant advance in extrasolar planetary science.
Astronomers have identified an X-ray-emitting binary star system in the Small Magellanic Cloud, 170,000 light-years from Earth. The system, HD 5980, features two stars with intense winds that collide and produce multimillion-degree gas radiating brilliantly in X-rays.
Scientists detected subtle rise and fall of Antarctic ice streams' surface as lakes and channels filled and emptied. The discovery provides new insight into how much and how frequently these 'leaks' occur and impact the ice sheet.