Researchers used TRMM data to identify areas with greatest year-to-year change in rainfall between 1998 and 2003, finding a strong correlation with the El Nino Southern Oscillation. Global rainfall patterns are influenced by El Nino, but some regions like the Bay of Bengal remain unaffected.
A new internet-based library for coral reefs has been created by NASA, providing a comprehensive world data resource on coral reefs and adjacent land areas. The library will help improve local assessments of reef resources around the world and provide access to reliable global satellite datasets for mapping coral reefs.
Acid rain suppresses methane emissions from wetlands, but only for a short time. The effect of acid rain on methane emissions is more than enough to compensate for the expected increase due to climate change.
Scientists used airborne LIDAR to map the dimensions of Mount St. Helens' uplift, creating detailed models to forecast volcanic hazards. The analysis revealed 5.3 million cubic meters of volume change in the area of uplift, confirming photogrammetric measurements.
The SAGE II instrument has provided 20 years of high-quality ozone measurements, enabling scientists to monitor trends and changes in the stratosphere. Its data have also helped study the impact of volcanic aerosols on temperatures and the effects of human activities on the Earth's radiation balance.
A recent study suggests that climate warming in the arctic tundra may cause the release of more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than previously expected. The research, led by Michelle Mack and Edward Schuur, found that increased nitrogen levels accelerated the breakdown of soil organic matter, leading to a net loss of carbon.
NASA has successfully tested artificial intelligence (AI) software that can detect and diagnose errors in satellite systems. The Livingstone Version 2 (LV2) software is being used to troubleshoot the NASA Earth Observing One (E0-1) satellite's instruments and systems, allowing for more efficient and effective maintenance.
Researchers found that low ozone levels and increasing greenhouse gases contribute to cooler South Pole temperatures, but may cancel each other out in the future.
Researchers found that ice shelf collapses in the Antarctic Peninsula can cause nearby glaciers to accelerate by up to eight times, leading to rapid elevations drops and increased sea level rise. The study provides clear evidence of the relationship between ice shelf breakdown and accelerated glacier flow.
Researchers assess the accuracy of ocean general circulation models in representing deep convection in the Labrador Sea. They found that while one model simulated data more faithfully, it still suffered from problems, and further study is needed to improve understanding of this process.
Researchers used NASA's MODIS instruments to study dark water patches off the Florida coast, detecting glowing phytoplankton blooms. The findings suggest a connection between rivers and the ocean ecosystem, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate black water events.
NASA's TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 satellites offer near-real-time lake water height data for 350 of the world's largest lakes. The US Department of Agriculture uses this information to manage irrigation and forecast crop production, particularly in areas with limited access to traditional water level gauges.
Researchers used computer models to locate areas where soil moisture influences rainfall, identifying common features known as 'hot spots'. These hot spots are found in transition zones between wet and dry regions, with implications for seasonal forecasting of rainfall and improving weather forecasts.
Scientists use satellites, computer models, and ground stations to study the unique aerosol laboratory created by desert dust, smoke, and man-made emissions. The UAE2 mission aims to improve computer climate models and predictions of climate behavior in response to changes in aerosol concentrations.
The TRMM satellite has provided new insights into rainfall patterns in tropical cyclones, revealing that heaviest rains fall within 50km of a storm's center. This study improves forecast accuracy and can help with the development of better weather forecasts.
TRMM has provided significant scientific research data over seven years, aiding NOAA and other agencies in monitoring rainfall and storms. NASA will continue to operate the satellite through the 2004 hurricane season to capture additional storm data.
The Soil Moisture Experiment 2004 aims to understand how much moisture is retained in soils, helping estimate potential flooding or water absorption. By analyzing data from satellites, airplanes, and ground teams, researchers can provide better forecasts for monsoon rainfall and water supply.
A recent NASA study has found a significant correlation between the retreat of glaciers and an increase in earthquake activity in southern Alaska. As glaciers melt, they lighten the load on the Earth's crust, allowing tectonic plates to move more freely, which can lead to earthquakes.
Researchers found that urban areas can extend plant growing seasons by 15 days compared to rural areas. Urban heat islands also cause plants to bloom 3 days earlier in spring and last 8 days longer in the fall.
Scientists measured a 0.1% reduction in sunlight reaching Earth during a June 8 Venus transit using NASA's SORCE satellite data. This event is comparable to the estimated 50-year decrease in sunlight that occurred during the Little Ice Age in the 17th century.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) will be decommissioned by NASA, marking the end of its outstanding contribution to Earth observations. TRMM's unique precipitation observations have provided unprecedented insights into rainfall-producing cloud systems over tropical land masses and oceans.
Aura, NASA's latest Earth-observing satellite, was launched to study the health of the Earth's atmosphere, focusing on ozone layer recovery and climate change. The satellite will survey the atmosphere from the troposphere to the stratosphere, using four instruments to collect data on air quality and its impact on the planet.
The launch of NASA's Aura satellite has been delayed due to an outstanding issue with a solid-state recorder. The new launch date is set for July 14, and media personnel are advised to meet at the main gate of Vandenberg Air Force Base on that day.
Researchers found plankton produce compound DMSP when stressed by UV radiation, leading to cloud formation and reduced direct light on the ocean surface. The study suggests plankton may impact global temperatures, with potential benefits in slowing climate change.
Humans annually require 20% of land-based plant growth for food and fiber, with regional consumption varying greatly. Large urban areas consume significantly more than local production, while sparsely populated areas like the Amazon have low consumption rates.
Researchers use the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array to monitor storm weakening and strengthening, improving severe weather detection. NASA's satellite technology provides near real-time data on severe weather and lightning strikes worldwide, aiming to reduce false alarms and improve forecasting accuracy.
Hurricanes stimulate phytoplankton growth, leading to increased chlorophyll levels and carbon dioxide absorption. Bigger storms cause larger blooms, affecting the upper ocean's ecology and potentially influencing climate change.
The African monsoon has two distinct seasons: a late spring season strongly influenced by sea surface temperatures near the Gulf of Guinea, and a later summer season driven by African Easterly Waves. The waves play a major role in this summer season monsoon rainfall.
Deforestation in the Amazon leads to faster land heating, causing localized upward motions that enhance cloud formation and increase rainfall. The effects are most pronounced during the dry-to-wet season transition period.
Researchers from NJIT and Caltech combined NASA cloud data with earthshine records to analyze Earth's reflectance and global cloud cover. The study suggests that Earth's average albedo varies considerably from year to year and decade to decade.
Aura will provide unprecedented information on the composition of the atmosphere and its impact on climate change and air quality. The satellite will help scientists understand how atmospheric composition affects and responds to changing climate conditions.
Scientists from NASA's Terra satellite are tracking global air pollution trends, shedding light on how pollutants spread around the globe. The data reveals seasonal and annual variations in CO and aerosol levels, providing clues about Earth's changing climate.
The combined database will help researchers determine the origin of magnetic signals in Earth's crust. With over 36,000 rock samples, it will improve our understanding of Earth's structure and development.
Scientists use NASA satellites and balloon-borne sensors to track the movement of a pollution train traveling from the Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic. The study reveals that Asian pollution can flow southward, get caught up in clouds, and reach as far as Brazil.
New NASA technology enhances NOAA's weather forecasts by integrating satellite data and lightning tracking, leading to more confident seven-day severe local storm forecasts. This improved prediction capability can also enhance tornado warning lead times and better predict thunderstorm occurrence.
Researchers discovered that increased cirrus cloud cover over the US could account for nearly all of the warming observed in the country since 1975. The study suggests that contrails, formed by air traffic, contribute to this warming effect.
Researchers used satellites to create an 18-year record of global land surface temperatures, confirming that snow-free land surfaces have warmed. The satellite data provides a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of climate changes and will improve computer modeling.
The subpolar gyre's weakening trend is attributed to heat exchanges from the ocean to the atmosphere playing a bigger role. This study, published on Science Express Web site, found Labrador Sea water warmed during the 1990s, reducing contrast with warmer southern latitudes and driving ocean circulation.
The study used high-resolution commercial imagery from the IKONOS satellite to simulate future development scenarios in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. It found a 39% increase in developed land between 1986 and 2000, with significant changes around the Dulles Airport area.
Research found that changes in land cover, particularly vegetation, have impacted regional temperatures and precipitation in the US. Land cover changes produced a significant cooling effect of more than one degree Fahrenheit in parts of the Great Plains and Midwest.
A study using modern-era satellite data found that a combination of cooler tropical Pacific Ocean surface temperatures and warmer Atlantic Ocean temperatures led to the US dust bowl drought from 1931 to 1939. This created shifts in weather patterns and reduced moisture supply, resulting in severe dry conditions.
A recent NASA study verified that water vapor in the atmosphere increases with rising temperatures, contradicting some climate scientists' claims of a decrease. The researchers found the positive water vapor feedback to be weaker than expected, which may impact global climate predictions.
A study by NASA and NOAA researchers reveals new climate patterns in the North Pacific Ocean, which differ from the traditional Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) pattern. The findings suggest that a single index like PDO is incomplete for characterizing the state of the North Pacific climate system.
Heavy smoke from the Amazon River basin causes significant reduction in cloud cover, leading to increased surface warming and altered climate. This study reveals a new mechanism of aerosol-driven global climate change, challenging current models.
The Landsat 5 satellite has exceeded expectations with 100,000 orbits and over 29 million images collected. Its longevity has enabled scientists to develop a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's land surface features.
The SORCE satellite has tracked exceptionally high levels of solar activity, including the third most powerful solar flare ever observed in X-rays. This comprehensive dataset will help scientists better understand the mechanisms of solar spectral-irradiance variability and their possible climatic impacts.
A NASA study suggests that warming temperatures will lead to more warm rain, which accounts for 31% of global rainfall. The increase in precipitation efficiency could make the air lighter and rise faster, creating updrafts producing more cold rain.
Research shows that cities built on fertile lands account for a significant decline in global food production, despite covering only 3% of US land area. Urbanization leads to a 1.6% reduction in annual Net Primary Productivity, offsetting gains from increased agricultural lands.
Researchers at NASA find evidence of ozone-destroying chlorine peroxide in the stratosphere over Polar Regions. The molecule triggers destruction when absorbing sunlight, breaking down ozone and forming again through a continuous cycle.
Scientists found a significant link between clouds and pollution transport in the Asian-Pacific region. Clouds mask pollutants from spacecraft sensors, leading to underestimated pollution levels.