A NASA pilot project measures geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in real-time, providing unprecedented data gathering and insights into Earth's upper atmosphere. The goal is to better understand GICs and their impact on the US power grid.
Tropical Cyclone Jack had weakened to a tropical depression when NASA's TRMM satellite passed above on April 22, 2014. Rainfall rates reached over 130mm/hr near the center, while wind shear continued to impact the system, ultimately leading to its dissipation in the Southern Indian Ocean by April 23.
Human-caused fires in the Primorsky Province of Russia are ravaging the landscape, with statistics showing that 94% of forest fires can be attributed to human activities. The uncontrolled burning of dry grass for centuries has led to widespread deforestation and degradation of forests, posing a significant threat to various species.
A new analysis of NASA satellite data reveals a gradual decrease in Congo rainforest greenness, suggesting a slow adjustment to long-term drying trend. The study found that climate factors such as land surface temperatures and decreased cloudiness contribute to the observed browning of the forest canopy.
Tropical Cyclone Jack weakened significantly after two observations by NASA's TRMM satellite on April 21, with maximum sustained winds dropping from 90 knots to 30 knots. Rainfall rates reached up to 197 mm/hr, indicating a powerful storm before its final weakening.
Tropical Cyclone Jack strengthened quickly after forming on April 20, but strong vertical wind shear is expected to weaken the storm. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center notes that despite this, the storm continued to build thunderstorms and elongate to the southeast.
A mid-level solar flare, peaking at M7-class, was emitted by the sun on April 18, 2014. The radiation burst did not affect humans on Earth but may disturb communications signals and GPS.
A team of scientists discovered a 3-million-year-old tundra landscape preserved under the Greenland Ice Sheet, suggesting the ice sheet has endured for longer than previously known. The findings indicate that even during warm periods, the center of Greenland remained stable, preventing the complete melting of the ice sheet.
A new analysis by NASA-funded researchers suggests that vitamin B3 could have originated from carbon-rich meteorites. The team found high levels of vitamin B3 and related molecules in eight different meteorites, which support the theory that extraterrestrial sources may have assisted the origin of life.
Researchers use NASA's SDO to map dynamic magnetic fields and brightpoints in the sun's atmosphere, revealing deep-seated activity and potential cells of flowing material. This breakthrough offers near real-time mapping of the sun's interior, affecting solar flares and other events.
Researchers found that pivoting planets with wobbling axes of rotation might maintain favorable conditions for life despite being far from their stars. This expands the idea of a habitable planet and where they might be found, particularly in systems with multiple gas giants.
Climate scientist Compton Tucker receives the 2014 Vega Medal for his work on remote sensing, measuring global land photosynthesis from space. His research has led to a 33-year data set invaluable for scientists studying Earth's climate.
Remnants of Tropical Depression Peipah continue to bring scattered thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rain showers across the southern Philippines. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued flood advisories for several regions due to the lingering storm system.
The TRMM satellite provided near-real time precipitation data for Tropical Cyclone Ita, estimating rainfall totals of up to 400 mm in northeastern Australia. The satellite also captured a 3-D image of the storm's structure, showing that some clouds were reaching heights of over 13 km.
Tropical Cyclone Ita weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall in northeastern Queensland, Australia. NASA's TRMM and Suomi NPP satellites captured imagery of the storm's elongating structure and heavy rainfall rates.
Tropical Depression Peipah has brought clouds, showers, and gusty winds to the southern and central Philippines. NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured images showing the remnant clouds covering the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
A NASA simulation shows that stratospheric ozone intrusions have a significant impact on ground-level ozone concentrations in the US West, with effects two to three times greater than previously estimated. High-resolution models can now comprehensively examine these events for the first time.
The OSIRIS-REx mission aims to find answers about the early solar system and organic materials that made life possible. The spacecraft will collect at least 2 ounces of asteroid samples and return them to Earth for scientists to study.
Research using data from NASA missions and computer simulations indicates an increase in noctilucent cloud presence between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude. Temperatures at high altitudes have decreased, raising questions about climate change.
Using spatial scanning, astronomers can now measure the distance of stars up to 10,000 light-years away with enhanced accuracy. This new technique is expected to provide insight into dark energy and refine estimates of the universe's expansion rate.
Tropical Cyclone Ita has intensified to a Category Four hurricane with winds near 132 mph, threatening catastrophic damage and power outages in Queensland. NASA's Terra satellite captured visible images of the storm, revealing powerful thunderstorms and heavy rainfall rates reaching up to 163 mm/h.
Tropical Depression Peipah is expected to make landfall in eastern Visayas on April 12. The storm appeared disorganized, with a broad low-level circulation center and weakening deep convection.
Tropical Cyclone Ita intensified with a large eye feature and sustained winds of 65 knots/75 mph. Rainfall analysis revealed rain falling at over 99 mm/h within its feeder bands.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible in North America on April 15, offering a unique viewing opportunity. The spacecraft's batteries need sunlight to charge, and it will have to pass through the complete shadow twice before the eclipse ends.
The James Webb Space Telescope's Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) is now complete with the installation of its four science instruments, including NIRSpec. This instrument will help scientists unlock the history of our universe by analyzing light from distant objects and revealing their chemical composition, mass, distance, ...
Tropical Cyclone Ita is strengthening due to increased wind speeds and cold cloud top temperatures detected by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm's center is consolidating, surrounded by strong thunderstorms, and is expected to move towards Queensland, Australia over the next three days.
Tropical Depression Peipah is intensifying as it approaches the central Philippines, with forecasters predicting landfall by April 11. The NASA Aqua satellite's infrared data shows high cloud-top temperatures indicating potential for heavy rainfall, with estimated amounts ranging from 5 to 15 mm per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Peipah passed Palau on April 5, weakening to a tropical depression with sustained winds near 25 knots. The storm is expected to make landfall in northeastern Mindanao before moving through the central or Visayas region.
Tropical Cyclone Ita developed near the Solomon Islands and strengthened into a tropical storm on April 5. NASA satellite imagery revealed strong convection and thunderstorms surrounding its center of circulation near Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Depression 05W is mostly cloud-covered with strongest convection on its western side. The depression is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm by April 5 as it moves northwesterly through warm ocean waters.
Researchers use Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope data to identify excess gamma-ray emission at high energies, consistent with dark matter annihilation. The signal is difficult to reconcile with other explanations and provides a strong case for the existence of dark matter.
Tropical Depression 05W is a newly formed storm in the northwest Pacific Ocean with good circulation and strong convection around its center. The depression is expected to strengthen into a typhoon by April 7 as it moves through southern Micronesia towards the Philippines.
On April 2, 2014, NASA captured imagery of an M6.5 solar flare, which is ten times less powerful than X-class flares. The event may impact Earth's atmosphere and disrupt GPS signals.
Tropical Cyclone Hellen rapidly weakened after hitting Madagascar, but its remnants showed signs of life in the Mozambique Channel. TRMM satellite data revealed strong convective thunderstorms with heavy rainfall rates up to 75 mm/h, indicating potential regenerating activity.
Tropical Cyclone Hellen's heavy rain rates were detected by NASA's TRMM satellite, with rainfall rates reaching over 44 mm/hour near its eye. The storm's remnants re-emerged in the Mozambique Channel, posing a potential regrowth threat.
The Arctic melt season is growing longer by several days each decade, with an earlier start allowing the ocean to absorb more solar radiation. This trend is causing the sea ice cover to weaken, as thinner, younger ice becomes more prevalent.
Tropical Cyclone Hellen made landfall in west central Madagascar, with powerful thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures exceeding -63F/-52C. The storm developed in the Mozambique Channel and rapidly intensified into a Category IV cyclone before making landfall.
Data from satellite sensors reveal the Midwest region of the United States boasts more photosynthetic activity than any other spot on Earth, according to NASA and university scientists. The magnitude of fluorescent glow emitted by plants is an excellent indicator of gross productivity.
A significant solar flare was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on March 29, 2014, peaking at an X1.1-class intensity. The event disturbed the atmosphere in layers where GPS and communications signals travel.
Research clarifies that ammonia emissions from agricultural exports have a substantial impact on air quality, with the study estimating an annual health cost of $36 billion. The findings suggest that reducing ammonia emissions could lead to significant societal benefits, particularly in the Northeast and Great Lakes region.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured an image of Mars-bound comet Siding Spring, revealing two jets of dust emanating from the nucleus. This observation will help astronomers determine the direction of the nucleus's pole and axis of rotation.
The new animation shows the movement of storms from January 1 to March 24, revealing why the US East Coast had a snowy winter. The region experienced record snowfall, with cities like Boston and Washington D.C. receiving significantly more than their average winter snowfall.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian reached Category 5 hurricane status with winds of over 140 knots when NASA's TRMM satellite passed overhead on March 23. Data analysis revealed intense storms and heavy rainfall, but the storm weakened to a tropical storm by March 26.
NASA's TRMM satellite gathered data on rainfall rates in the South China Sea as Tropical Depression TD04W weakened. The storm's remnants dissipated near Vietnam, marking the end of a potential regeneration threat.
Wind shear is responsible for weakening Tropical Cyclone Gillian from hurricane to tropical storm strength, according to NASA's Aqua satellite image. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 60 knots on March 26, and it is expected to dissipate by the same day.
Hundreds of agricultural fires burn across Sierra Leone, predominantly due to slash and burn agriculture. The fires, which peak in March and April, release greenhouse gases and particulates posing a threat to human health and regional climate.
The NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory has released its first images, capturing precipitation falling inside a March cyclone over the northwest Pacific Ocean. The data show high-quality measurements of global precipitation, including light drizzle, heavy downpours, and falling snow.
Tropical Depression 04W brought moderate rainfall to Palawan, Philippines on March 24. The depression had weakened to a remnant low pressure area by then, moving through the Sulu Sea. NASA's TRMM satellite showed heavy rainfall rates of up to 1.2 inches per hour in the region.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian's maximum sustained winds peaked at 140 knots/161.1 mph/259.3 kph on March 23 as it pulled away from Indonesia. The storm began to weaken due to upper-level northwesterly wind shear and a mid-level trough approaching its path.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian has re-formed just south of Java, Indonesia, with improved central convection and symmetric shape. The cyclone is expected to intensify to hurricane-force over the Southern Indian Ocean.