A NASA study finds that methane's impact on climate change may be significantly higher than previously thought, potentially accounting for a third of the gas's overall effect. The research suggests that methane emissions play a substantial role in increasing tropospheric ozone levels, which contributes to global warming.
Researchers have developed tools to study sea level change and its driving forces. The largest factor contributing to sea level rise is changes in ice coverage, accounting for about 220 feet of sea level.
NASA's new satellite measurements provide a reference for changes in ocean height, allowing scientists to better predict sea level rise and its causes. The data suggests that ice melting is the largest likely factor in global sea level change.
Researchers simulate sensor web technique to track pollution transport and improve forecast accuracy. The technology coordinates observations from satellites, airborne instruments, and ground-based stations to provide alerts days in advance for vulnerable populations.
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.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have built an SDR test-bed to investigate and develop communication and navigation algorithms. This technology enables electronic devices to quickly change functions on demand, such as adapting a cell phone into a video camera or satellite interaction.
Phytoplankton population and size can change dramatically due to El Niño and La Niña events, affecting ocean ecology and influencing the climate. These changes impact carbon storage in the ocean, which in turn helps stabilize carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere.
Researchers will monitor oceanic thunderstorms to study why some systems develop into tropical cyclones and some do not. The data could support development of a more accurate and timely warning system to help safeguard property and lives.
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.
Researchers found a strong relationship between ozone levels and hurricane behavior, enabling better tracking and forecasting. Ozone data helps pinpoint the storm's eye, leading to more accurate predictions of hurricane movement.
A study led by Steven Cummer of Duke University and Walter Lyons found that sprites are generated by major lightning strikes. The total charge, as it moves from the cloud to the ground, is most critical in sprite development. Sprites are brief, lasting only 3 to 10 milliseconds, but can be monitored globally using a single sensor.
NASA's Goddard technologist Vladimir Lumelsky proposes developing a 'High-Tech Skin' with over 1,000 infrared sensors to enable robots to sense their environment and react like humans. This technology is crucial for carrying out NASA's Vision for Space Exploration, where humans and robots work together in unstructured environments.
A massive solar flare on January 20, 2024, produced the largest solar radiation signal in nearly 50 years, tripping radiation monitors worldwide and scrambling spacecraft detectors. The event challenged traditional theories about proton storms at Earth, suggesting that protons may have originated from the sun itself.
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.
NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft has entered the solar system's final frontier, encountering the heliosheath region. The spacecraft's observation of a sudden increase in magnetic field strength and plasma wave noise indicates it has crossed the termination shock, marking a significant milestone in its journey to interstellar space.
A new website, CCIR-NY, offers scientific answers to basic questions about climate change and its impact on New York City. The site provides information on potential flooding of transportation infrastructure, saltwater intrusion into water supplies, and erosion of public beaches.
Researchers from Columbia University and NASA used sediment layers to uncover a 500-year drought from 800 A.D. to 1300 A.D., as well as the effects of the Little Ice Age and European settlers' agricultural practices on the area's climate. The study found increased erosion, saltier water, and changes in vegetation during these periods.
NASA has delayed the launch of its NOAA-N satellite until at least May 20th following a vent hose malfunction during last Thursday's attempt. Contamination risks were identified, prompting further testing and sample collection to ensure payload safety.
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.
The NOAA-N satellite will collect data on Earth's surface and atmosphere for weather forecasts, climate predictions, and search and rescue operations. With advanced imaging and sounding capabilities, the satellite aims to improve understanding of environmental changes worldwide.
A new study confirms the Earth's energy is out of balance, with more energy absorbed from the sun than emitted back to space. The imbalance, measured at 0.85 watts per meter squared, will cause an additional 0.6 degrees Celsius warming by the end of this century.
A decline in winter and spring snow cover over Southwest Asia and the Himalayan mountain range creates conditions for widespread blooms of ocean plants in the Arabian Sea. This is due to increased temperature and pressure differences between the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea, leading to monsoon winds that mix the ocean water.
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.
Researchers have found that Canada's Arctic ice caps and glaciers are thinning at lower elevations due to increased melting. The study suggests that these changes contribute significantly to global sea level rise, with an estimated 0.065 millimeters per year added to sea levels during the 1995-2000 period.
Phytoplankton amounts have increased globally by over 4% along coastal regions, while declines were observed in mid-ocean gyres. This shift may indicate changes in the biology of oceans, particularly in coast regions, and has implications for ocean ecosystems and climate change.
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.
A new study using NASA satellites found that Siberian fires burned mostly near people, particularly in areas with roads, towns, and cities. The research used Terra MODIS data to map fire hotspots over three years, revealing a strong link between human presence and fires.
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.
Researchers from NASA's Langley Research Center and Goddard Space Flight Center studied tropical convective clouds in Florida to classify ice crystals, which can help predict next winter's snowstorm. They hope to contribute to improving weather and climate models by accounting for clouds' role in atmospheric conditions.
A 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Indonesia shifted the North Pole by centimeters and decreased the length of day by 2.68 microseconds, according to NASA scientists. The quake also slightly changed the planet's shape and affected its oblateness.
High school and college students can now simulate Earth's climate changes using NASA's EdGCM model, which includes a 3-D climate computer model and scientific visualization tools. The model allows students to conduct experiments identical to those run by scientists, promoting hands-on learning about climate science.
Wildlife species are declining at an alarming rate due to habitat loss, poaching, and pollution. Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have developed a new method using satellite technology to monitor endangered populations in hard-to-reach locations.
Researchers found that Saharan dust increases the number of cloud condensation nuclei, leading to smaller cloud droplets and reduced rainfall. The study also showed that the dust affects thunderstorm anvils, impacting sunlight and warming temperatures over time.
The loss of 6% of mountain gorilla habitat in the Virunga National Park is a significant step backward for the endangered species. Scientists are using NASA satellite imagery to monitor land changes and develop a monitoring system with conservation groups to protect the remaining habitats.
A recent NASA study reveals that tiny particles in the air can have a significant effect on how much carbon is transferred from the atmosphere to below-ground carbon sinks. The research found that aerosols, not clouds, tend to scatter sunlight, allowing more radiation to penetrate to leaves and increasing photosynthesis rates.
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.
The Van Allen Radiation Belt Slot, considered a safe zone, filled with concentrated radiation during the October and November 2003 solar storms. The radiation surge was the most intense ever observed in this region, posing significant risks to spacecraft.
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.
Aura is providing unprecedented spatial resolution to monitor global pollution production and transport, offering new insights into climate changes and the recovery of the Earth's protective stratospheric ozone layer. The satellite's instruments study tropospheric chemistry and provide daily global monitoring of air pollution.
Scientists are using NASA's ICESat satellite to measure the height of dynamic features such as ice sheets, glaciers, forests, and clouds. The satellite's laser instruments provide unprecedented accuracy in measuring changes in elevation, including accelerated glacier movement in Antarctica and thinner ice on West Antarctic ice sheet.
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.
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.
Researchers developed an index using satellite data to accurately predict the arrival of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. The study found that fluctuations in rainfall and wintertime precipitation in the eastern Indian Ocean can signal early shifts in climate leading to El Niño development.
A NASA study found that conversion of wetlands to agricultural lands can lead to more severe freezes in south Florida. The researchers analyzed data from the Landsat 5 satellite and weather records to simulate three freeze events, concluding that land-use changes can enhance damage inflicted upon agriculture.