NASA's MODIS instrument detects high temperatures indicative of fires in the southern United States, including small wildfires and prescribed burns. Prescribed fires offer numerous ecological benefits, such as reducing hazardous fuels and promoting tree growth.
The Suomi NPP mission team successfully repositioned the satellite on September 30 to avoid a close approach with a debris object traveling at nearly 17,000 mph. The maneuver was planned after a high-risk assessment, and the team's quick action prevented potential catastrophic damage to the satellite.
TRMM satellite used to estimate rainfall rates from Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo, generating areas with totals over 12 inches. Rainfall estimates developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center show maximum rainfall of 8 inches for Fay and 4-8 inches for Gonzalo
A substantial X1.6 class solar flare occurred on October 22, 2014, peaking at 10:28 a.m. EDT, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. This is the third significant flare from the same region of the sun since October 19, indicating increased solar activity.
Researchers found large patches of trace gases shining brightly near Titan's poles, with unexpected east-to-west variations. These findings are consistent with observations made by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which found cloud caps and high concentrations of gases over the poles.
Tropical Storm Ana was impacted by strong southwesterly wind shear, causing the bulk of clouds and showers to be pushed north and east of its center. The storm's minimum central pressure is estimated at 1005 millibars, with forecasters predicting some strengthening through early Friday.
Tropical Depression 9 has formed over the western Bay of Campeche and is expected to produce life-threatening flash floods in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The depression is predicted to intensify into a tropical storm before landfall.
NASA's Aqua satellite detects snow on ground in Nepal and southwestern China as Cyclone Hudhud moves over the region. The MODIS instrument captured the image of snow on October 16, revealing the unusual weather phenomenon.
The Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope withstood 116 days of extremely cold temperatures, simulating conditions found in space. The successful test ensures the telescope will function correctly at its final destination one million miles away from Earth.
Hurricane Gonzalo stirred up ocean sediment off Bermuda's coast, as captured by NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites. The satellite imagery revealed sediment streaming east and south of the island.
Tropical Storm Ana is still affecting parts of Hawaii on October 20, according to NASA's Aqua satellite imagery. The storm's eastern quadrant covered the islands of Kauai and Niihau, with strong southwesterly wind shear pushing clouds and showers north and east of the center of circulation.
The MAVEN spacecraft successfully navigated a close pass by comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring, providing valuable insights into the Red Planet's upper atmosphere and interaction with the solar wind. The mission will continue to study Mars' atmosphere and its effects on the planet's geology.
Fires in the Egyptian River Delta are a recurring phenomenon, typically occurring every year in October and November. The annual fire season is attributed to farmers burning leftover straw from the rice harvest, resulting in widespread air pollution and health risks.
The WB-57 aircraft flew over Hurricane Gonzalo on Oct. 15 carrying two HS3 mission instruments called HIWRAP and HIRAD, providing unique observations of sea surface wind speed, temperature, and rain. The data gathered will advance understanding and predictability of hurricane intensity.
The storm formed near Mexico's southwestern coast on Oct. 18, triggering warnings and watches before weakening to a remnant low pressure area within 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Ana made a slow track west of the Hawaiian islands before moving away and heading towards the northwest Hawaiian islands. The storm's clouds were captured by NASA's Terra satellite on October 19, revealing its strongest thunderstorms in the eastern and western quadrants.
Hurricane Gonzalo brought severe weather to Bermuda, causing power outages and damage. The storm then moved east across the North Atlantic, affecting eastern Canada and Scotland with heavy rains and gusty winds.
Tropical Storm Ana is nearing hurricane strength and expected to become a hurricane before reaching the Big Island of Hawaii. The storm's outer clouds are already affecting the island, causing heavy rainfall and potentially life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Researchers embark on Operation IceBridge to study changes in Antarctica's ice sheet, glaciers, and sea ice. The mission aims to collect data on the rapid decline of glaciers and variations in sea ice coverage.
Hurricane Gonzalo remains a Category 4 hurricane with strong thunderstorms surrounding its cloud-free eye. The National Hurricane Center forecasts dangerous conditions in Bermuda, including hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall.
The study provides five key findings on the sun's atmosphere, including heat pockets of 200,000 degrees Fahrenheit and structures resembling mini-tornadoes. These discoveries help researchers better understand the sun's energy transfer and dynamic solar activity that impacts technological infrastructure in space and on Earth.
A new NASA study reconstructs North American drought history over the last 1,000 years and finds that the 1934 drought was the driest and most widespread of the past millennium. The drought was caused by a high-pressure system and dust storms, which suppressed rainfall and led to severe conditions across western North America.
Astronomers use a cosmic magnifying glass to spot a tiny, faint galaxy more than 13 billion light-years away. The discovery provides insight into the early universe and suggests that small, faint galaxies existed about 500 million years after the big bang.
Tropical Storm Ana is expected to intensify and impact the Hawaiian Islands, causing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. The storm may produce large swells and damaging surf along exposed shorelines.
A new NASA study reconstructing North American drought history over the last 1,000 years found that 1934 was the driest and most widespread drought of the millennium. The severity was attributed to a combination of high-pressure systems and dust storms caused by poor land management practices.
Tropical Storm Ana is intensifying in the Central Pacific Ocean, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. The storm is forecast to become a hurricane by late October 15 and may impact Hawaii on October 16.
Hurricane Gonzalo has become a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic, its first major hurricane in three years. According to NOAA's GOES-East satellite imagery, Gonzalo features tightly wrapped bands of thunderstorms spiraling into its center.
Hurricane Gonzalo has intensified into a hurricane, with powerful thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The storm is forecasted to become a major hurricane and make landfall on the island of Bermuda.
Tropical Storm Ana was spotted by NASA's Aqua satellite on October 13, with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph. The storm is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and approach the big island of Hawaii by Sunday, October 19.
Extra-Tropical Storm Vongfong transitioned into an extra-tropical storm early on Oct. 4 as its core changed from warm to cold while being monitored by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm was located near 29.1 north latitude and 142.9 east longitude, about 111 nautical miles southeast of Misawa, Japan.
Prescribed burns in Western Australia help reduce flammable fuel loads, protect lives and property, and maintain biodiversity. The practice is also used to rehabilitate vegetation after disturbance and undertake research on fire's interaction with the environment.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured images of Typhoon Hudhud's remnants over India, Nepal, and China on Oct. 14, confirming the cyclone made landfall near Visakhapatnam on Oct. 12. The storm caused significant damage and fatalities in eastern India.
Numerous fires have been burning in Ukraine, likely caused by agricultural practices. Farmers use fire to clear land and return nutrients to the soil.
Tropical Storm Vongfong continues to weaken as it approaches Japan, with NASA satellite data showing significant impact from westerly wind shear. The storm's structure is being affected by the strong winds, causing most of the clouds and showers to be pushed to the east.
Tropical Storm Fay has begun extra-tropical transition, weakening from hurricane status. The National Hurricane Center expects Fay to merge with a frontal zone and become an extra-tropical cyclone by tonight.
NASA's Terra and GOES-East satellites monitored Tropical Storm Gonzalo as it moved through the Lesser Antilles. The storm is expected to strengthen and become a hurricane on Oct 15, affecting several Eastern Caribbean islands with warnings and watches in effect.
Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed quickly on Oct. 12 east of the Leeward Islands, triggering tropical storm warnings for many islands. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next two days and move through the Leeward Islands early Monday morning.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP and Aqua satellites monitored Typhoon Vongfong's weakening, showing strongest thunderstorms in the northern quadrant. The storm is now forecasted to spread out and become an extra-tropical storm, tracking over Japan's islands.
Tropical Storm Fay is nearing hurricane strength near Bermuda, but a cold front over the eastern U.S. is expected to absorb the storm over the next day or two. The National Hurricane Center forecasts a turn toward the east-northeast and faster forward movement for the storm.
Cyclone Hudhud is forecast to peak near 115 knots before quickly weakening, dissipating over land on Monday. The storm has strengthened in the last day, indicated by cloud top temperatures dropping and stronger thunderstorms developing.
Tropical Cyclone Hudhud is expected to intensify and peak around 100 knots before landfall near Visakhapatnam late on Oct. 12, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The cyclone has tracked northwestward at 6 knots and is centered about 250 nautical miles southeast of the coast.
Subtropical Depression 7 has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, with strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall potential. The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Bermuda, expecting possible tropical storm conditions on October 11 or 12.
NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites provide forecasters with detailed data on Super Typhoon Vongfong's cloud extent, rainfall rates, and distribution. The storm is expected to slowly weaken as it moves north, passing just east of Okinawa before turning northeast and changing to an extra-tropical cyclone over Japan.
NASA's GOES-East satellite captures Hurricane Simon's landfall in Mexico and movement into the U.S. Southwest, with remnants expected to reach the central Plains and Midwest on Oct. 9-10. Heavy rain, including a threat of flash flooding, is forecast for eastern Kansas and western Missouri.
The new instrument will improve severe storm warning accuracy, detect lightning ground strike hazards, and provide early warnings for heavy rainfall and flash flooding. It will also enhance storm monitoring during radar outages or in areas with poor coverage.
Astronomers have mapped the temperature and water vapor on WASP-43b, a hot exoplanet with turbulent conditions. The findings provide insights into atmospheric dynamics and how giant planets like Jupiter are formed.
Tropical Cyclone Hudhud is consolidating and getting more organized, with a developing eye. Warnings have been issued for heavy rainfall, storm surges, and high winds along the northern Andhra Pradesh coast and south Odisha coastline of eastern India.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured visible and infrared images of Super Typhoon Vongfong, revealing a Category 4 storm with two concentric eyewalls. The typhoon is expected to weaken slowly over several days, affecting Japan's islands.
Tropical Storm Hudhud formed on Oct. 8 in the Northern Indian Ocean after a period of dormancy, with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts the storm will strengthen into a hurricane and make landfall near Visakhapatnam on Oct. 10.
The Global Precipitation Measurement satellite captured an unusual compact eyewall in Hurricane Simon, which later intensified rapidly. The satellite's radar detected a powerful convective cell with unusually high radar-reflectivity signals.