The James Webb Space Telescope is inspected for contamination using ultraviolet flashlights in a darkened clean room. The long exposure captures the technicians as 'ghostly wraiths', while a special light technique illuminates the primary mirror.
New observations from NASA's Van Allen Probes mission show that relativistic electrons, the fastest and most energetic particles in the inner radiation belt, are not present as much of the time as previously assumed. This discovery has significant implications for spacecraft design and opens up new avenues for scientific study.
Sub-tropical storm 11S, once a tropical cyclone, continues to swirl in the Southern Indian Ocean with asymmetric structure and baroclinic dynamic support. The disturbance is expected to further strengthen as it moves southward, transitioning into an extra-tropical system.
A powerful nor'easter is forecast to impact the US East coast with heavy snowfall totals from the Mid-Atlantic to New England. Forecasters predict 12-18 inches of snow, with localized amounts up to 2 feet, and strong winds that could cause power outages.
Tropical Cyclone 11S has been stretched out due to moderate vertical wind shear, according to NASA satellite imagery. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects the storm to strengthen before encountering stronger wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures.
Operation IceBridge's ninth year in the Arctic will be its most extensive campaign yet, with two new research flights based out of Svalbard to survey the Eurasian sector. The mission aims to collect valuable data on polar ice changes and improve snowfall accumulation models.
Tropical Depression Enawo strengthened off Madagascar before being weakened by wind shear, according to NASA's Terra satellite imagery.
Cyclone Enawo brought record-breaking rainfall to Madagascar, with the eastern side experiencing strong onshore flow due to its clockwise rotation. NASA's IMERG data analysis reveals the storm's extensive moisture flow from the Indian Ocean, posing a risk of flooding and landslides.
A recent NASA study using ARTEMIS observations reveals that most energy from magnetic reconnection is converted to heat in the nighttime magnetosphere, affecting exhaust flow stability. This finding provides crucial information about how magnetic reconnection can send particles towards Earth, initiating auroras and space weather.
Tropical Cyclone 11S has cloud top temperatures of -63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating the potential for heavy rainfall. The cyclone is forecast to reach hurricane force on March 13 and pass close to Rodrigues Island.
A team of researchers has created the first global inventory for volcanic sulfur dioxide emissions, using data from a NASA satellite. The data set provides annual estimates for 91 volcanoes worldwide and will help refine climate models and provide insight into human health risks.
Tropical Cyclone Enawo continues to move through central Madagascar, with NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites gathering imagery and data on the storm. Infrared data indicates very strong storms with cloud tops reaching 210 kelvin, suggesting heavy rainfall.
Tropical Cyclone Enawo made landfall in northeastern Madagascar as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing severe damage and power outages to the region. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 144 mph, with warnings posted throughout northern Madagascar.
Researchers warn that rising temperatures in US deserts will put songbirds at greater risk of dehydration and mass die-offs. The study found that smaller species are particularly susceptible to lethal dehydration, with the lesser goldfinch facing a 25-day-per-year risk by the end of the century.
The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instrument on NOAA's GOES-16 satellite is transmitting data for the first time, giving forecasters richer information about lightning and improving severe weather alerts. The mapper detects in-cloud lightning, which can occur up to 10 minutes before potentially deadly cloud-to-ground strikes.
Tropical Cyclone Blanche formed near Australia's Top End on March 5 and made landfall the next day. NASA's satellite imagery showed cloud top temperatures of minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating powerful storms that can generate heavy rainfall.
Tropical Cyclone Enawo is intensifying and expected to reach 115 mph winds before hitting Madagascar's northeastern coast on March 7, 2017. Heavy rainfall with intense downpours of over 220 mm per hour has been measured in the storm's feeder bands.
Record-breaking warm temperatures triggered early blooms in eastern US, leading to severe thunderstorms and deadly tornadoes. The GPM satellite provided critical insights into the intense downpours and storm top heights of over 32,800 feet.
Tropical Storm Enawo formed in the Southern Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. The NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of the storm, showing a concentration of thunderstorms around its center. Enawo is forecast to track along Madagascar's east coast and strengthen into a hurricane in 3-4 days.
Scientists from NASA and NCAR have shown that tracking coronal mass ejections can help detect solar energetic particles earlier than current forecasting techniques. This could provide critical warning time for astronauts in low-Earth orbit or interplanetary space.
The James Webb Space Telescope will analyze atmospheric components in TRAPPIST-1 exoplanets for potential biosignatures. Three promising planets, e, f and g, orbit within the habitable zone, with conditions suitable for supporting liquid water.
The GOES-16 SUVI instrument has successfully captured its first solar images, providing valuable data on coronal plasma temperatures and emission measurements. This will enable the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center to issue early warnings for potential geomagnetic storms impacting Earth's magnetic field.
The supernova has continued to fascinate astronomers with its spectacular light show, located in the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud. Recent studies using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory have provided unique insight into the early stages of gas dispersal after a star's death.
The James Webb Space Telescope is set to undergo an earsplitting acoustic test, simulating the intense vibrations of launch. The team at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has completed vibration testing and prepared the telescope for the test, which will push its limits.
NASA's Modular Unified Space Technology Avionics for Next Generation missions (MUSTANG) is a smaller, more capable 'brain' for smaller spacecraft. The system controls various functions, including command and data handling, attitude control, power, and propulsion.
Tropical Cyclone 8P was quickly dismantled by strong wind shear, with its maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. The storm's journey was marked by rapid movement and shifting winds, ultimately leading to its transformation into an extra-tropical system.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission has estimated significant rainfall from the Pineapple Express in southwestern Oregon and northern California. The storms brought heavy rains, with parts of Arizona receiving moderate to heavy precipitation as well.
A NASA-funded balloon carrying a telescope was left on the ice in Antarctica for a year before its instruments were recovered. The GRIPS project studied high-energy particles generated by solar flares, with findings providing new insights into these giant eruptions on the sun.
Tropical Cyclone 08P formed on Feb 22, strengthening to a tropical storm with winds near 40mph. The cyclone is moving southeast at 38mph, fueled by wind shear despite forming under adverse conditions.
Tropical Cyclone Bart formed and weakened rapidly, becoming a short-lived storm after just two days. Its maximum sustained winds reached 35 knots before the system accelerated into mid-latitude wind flow, marking its end.
Fermi data reveals concentrated gamma rays at Andromeda's center, sparking speculation about dark matter. The unusual distribution may be caused by unknown sources or the presence of dark matter.
Tropical Cyclone Bart has developed in the Southern Pacific Ocean, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an image of the storm on Feb. 21. The cyclone is elongated due to vertical wind shear and is moving east-southeast at a speed of 25.3 mph.
The SnowEx mission aims to determine which combination of sensors works best for collecting global snow-water measurements, critical for understanding and managing freshwater resources. The team will fly multiple airborne sensors over Grand Mesa, Colorado, to evaluate their performance in measuring snowpack properties and SWE.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, showing half the storm over land and half in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The cyclone developed from a tropical low pressure area and made landfall near the Queensland-Northern Territory border, weakening to a remnant low pressure area.
NASA used its Terra satellite to track the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Dineo, which generated heavy rainfall in southern Mozambique. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission captured detailed images of the storm's intense rain bands, revealing precipitation rates over 86 mm per hour.
A large storm system is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to southern California, with rainfall totals reaching up to 6 inches in coastal areas and 10 inches in mountain locations. A second storm system is also heading towards the east, bringing flash flood risks and rapid runoff to fire-scarred areas.
The NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a night-time image of the ex-tropical cyclone, showing it had become elongated as it weakened. The storm is expected to continue weakening as it tracks further inland on February 16, bringing heavy rain and localized flooding to parts of South Africa.
The public can participate in searching for undiscovered worlds in the outer reaches of our solar system and beyond. A new website, Backyard Worlds: Planet 9, uses brief movies made from WISE images to highlight moving objects, which can be discovered by human eyes.
A NASA study reveals that meltwater from the Greenland Ice Sheet can drain through aquifers and fractures in the ice, reaching the ocean. This discovery could significantly impact computer models of sea level rise, providing new insights into the Greenland contribution.
Tropical Cyclone Dineo is centered just off the coast of Mozambique, with maximum sustained winds near 80.5 mph. The storm is expected to make landfall in southern Mozambique before weakening, according to NASA's satellite observations.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft captured a unique image of Jupiter and its three largest moons, Callisto, Io, and Ganymede. The image showcases the planet's distinct bands and was taken at 76 million miles from Earth.
Raven will test foundational technologies for autonomous rendezvous, enabling spacecraft to find and secure targets without human involvement. The system aims to mature for future NASA missions, including the Restore-L servicing mission and potential use on Journey to Mars.
Tropical Cyclone Dineo strengthened in the Mozambique Channel, with NASA tracking its progress. The cyclone's winds are expected to reach hurricane strength and peak at 75 knots by February 15, posing a threat to residents of Mozambique.
Researchers are developing a space-based quantum-dot spectrometer that could miniaturize instruments, enabling higher-spectral resolution and more efficient data analysis. The technology uses quantum dots as filters to absorb different wavelengths of light, allowing for precise control over instrument calibration.
Tropical Cyclone Carlos weakened to a remnant low pressure area over the weekend of February 11 and 12. NASA's Terra satellite spotted a better circulation center on February 13 compared to previous images.
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) project is completing final testing on a new satellite that will extend NASA's Space Network capabilities. The addition of TDRS-M will provide nearly continuous coverage for an additional 15 years.
Tropical Cyclone Dineo formed on February 13 in the Southern Indian Ocean, as captured by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm is expected to strengthen and make landfall along Mozambique's east coast on February 16.
Scientists and engineers at NASA created a new, large-scale shaker table system to test the James Webb Space Telescope's vibrations during launch. The 'Vibration Test Systems' simulates forces from 5-100 Hz, enabling precise control over shaking levels.
The Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS) instrument on NOAA's GOES-16 satellite is successfully sending data back to Earth, providing insights into charged particle fluxes. This information will help the Space Weather Prediction Center issue early warnings of high-flux events, protecting lives and equipment from radiation hazards.
Tropical Cyclone Carlos is being stretched out due to the Westerlies, a semi-permanent belt of winds. The storm's elongation was confirmed in an infrared image captured by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite on February 9.