Fires in eastern China
Multiple wildfires burned in eastern China, producing massive smoke plumes detected by NASA's Aqua satellite. The MODIS instrument revealed hot spots as red areas and smoke as light brown areas.
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
California's Powerhouse Fire at night
The NASA-NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite captured an image of the Powerhouse Fire in California at night. The high-sensitivity instrument detected the fire using illumination from natural and man-made sources, revealing its large impact on city lights and surrounding landscape.
Hubble maps 3-D structure of ejected material around erupting star
Astronomers used Hubble to observe light from the close double-star system T Pyxidis during its latest outburst in April 2011. The team assembled a 3-D map of the structure around the nova, revealing a disk-shaped debris disk populated with fast-moving ejecta.
NASA MASTER infrared view of the Powerhouse Fire, California
The NASA MASTER instrument captured a color composite image of the Powerhouse Fire in California, showing heat intensity in different colors. The pixel resolution is 50 meters, with bands used for red, green, and blue infrared light.
Rare stellar alignment offers opportunity to hunt for planets
Astronomers have two opportunities to detect planets around Proxima Centauri using a rare stellar alignment. The closest encounters in October 2014 and February 2016 will allow scientists to measure the mass of the red dwarf, which could indicate the presence of smaller terrestrial planets.
Agricultural fires in Africa
Dozens of agricultural fires in central Africa were detected using NASA's MODIS satellite, highlighting the widespread use of slash-and-burn agriculture methods. These practices threaten biodiversity and air quality, producing smoke that can lead to deforestation and erosion.
Powerhouse Fire, California
The Powerhouse Fire in California has burned approximately 46 square miles of the Angeles National Forest, destroying at least six homes and damaging 15 more. Evacuation orders are in place for large portions of the fire area, including several communities, as 975 personnel fight to contain the rapidly spreading blaze.
Tres Lagunas Fire, New Mexico
The Tres Lagunas Fire has burned over 7,476 acres in New Mexico and forced evacuations for hundreds of homes and primary residences. The fire started on May 30 due to a downed power line and is currently uncontained.
Thompson Ridge Fire, New Mexico
The Thompson Ridge Fire, located in the Valles Caldera National Preserve, has burned approximately 1,906 acres as of May 31, 2013. The Tres Lagunas Fire, started by a downed power line, has burned over 7,400 acres and is currently uncontained.
NASA's Swift produces best ultraviolet maps of the nearest galaxies
NASA's Swift satellite has created the most detailed ultraviolet light surveys of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, two closest major galaxies. The new images reveal about 1 million ultraviolet sources in the LMC and about 250,000 in the SMC.
Agricultural fires in western Mexico
Dozens of agricultural fires were detected in western Mexico, likely set to manage land for crop growth, but producing smoke that degrades air quality. The fires were outlined in red by NASA's MODIS satellite on May 30, 2013.
NASA satellites watch the demise of Hurricane Barbara
Hurricane Barbara made landfall along Mexico's southern Pacific coast, with NASA-NOAA satellites capturing its movement and rainfall rates. The storm weakened into a tropical depression after making landfall, with remnants dissipating over the western Gulf of Mexico.
Farmland fires in Angola
Deliberate farmland fires were detected in Angola, primarily used by smallholder farmers to clear land and return nutrients. The widespread nature of the fires highlights their potential impact on air quality and soil health.
Landsat 8 satellite begins watch
The USGS has taken operational control of Landsat 8, the latest in a series of remote-sensing satellites that have been monitoring Earth's landscape since 1972. With this shift, at least 400 scenes will be collected daily to be processed and archived, supporting scientific research and decision-making on environmental issues.
NASA's MMS team assembles final observatory
The Magnetospheric Multiscale mission team successfully assembled the fourth and final observatory for NASA's MMS mission. This achievement marks a new challenge in engineering, as the team built four identical spacecraft simultaneously, a feat rarely accomplished even by experienced professionals.
NASA sees Hurricane Barbara quickly weaken to a depression
Hurricane Barbara strengthened into a hurricane before making landfall, but quickly weakened into a tropical depression after interacting with the Mexican coast. Satellite imagery showed cloud tops warming and thunderstorms fragmenting around the storm's center.
NASA's HS3 mission may target Cape Verde Island hurricanes in 2013
The HS3 mission will explore tropical cyclones of Cape Verde origins, including Hurricane Nadine in 2012. Researchers hope to obtain a more complete data set to better understand hurricane formation and intensity changes.
NASA's Swift reveals new phenomenon in a neutron star
Astronomers have observed a spinning neutron star slowing down and spinning at a faster rate, providing clues to understand these dense objects. The discovery has important implications for understanding the extreme physical conditions present within neutron stars.
NASA IRIS: Improving our view of the sun
IRIS will provide high-resolution images and spectra to unravel the interface region, allowing scientists to track solar material as it is accelerated and heated. The mission enables the observation of temperature ranges from 5,000 to 10 million kelvins.
NASA's HS3 mission aircraft to double team 2013 hurricane season
The HS3 mission will investigate hurricane formation and intensity change in the Atlantic Ocean basin using two unmanned Global Hawk aircraft. The aircraft will be equipped with advanced instruments to measure eyewall and rainband winds, precipitation, and atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles.
Wildfires in Siberia
Wildfires in Siberia have been reported across two regions, with multiple hotspots detected by NASA's MODIS satellite. The Kosmosnimki website reports a total of 85 outbreaks in the Suntarsky Ulus region and 237 outbreaks in the Kobjajsky ulus region.
NASA sees developing tropical cyclone near southwestern Mexico
A tropical low-pressure system, System 92E, is developing near southwestern Mexico and may become Tropical Storm Barbara by May 28. The National Hurricane Center expects the storm to consolidate and bring heavy rains to southern Mexico and western Central America.
Hubble reveals the Ring Nebula's true shape
The Ring Nebula's true shape has been revealed by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, showing a more complex structure than previously thought. The new observations have allowed researchers to construct the most precise 3-D model of the nebula, revealing details such as a blue, football-shaped structure and dark, irregular knots of dense gas.
NASA's SDO observes another mid-level solar flare
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) detected a M7-class solar flare on May 22, 2013, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME was not Earth-directed but may cause disruptions to satellites and electronic systems.
NASA's SDO observes mid-level solar flare
A mid-level solar flare (M7) was observed by NASA's SDO on May 22, 2013, causing brief radio blackouts at the poles and disrupting GPS signals. The sun is in its solar maximum phase, leading to an increase in flares and coronal mass ejections.
NASA's Landsat satellite looks for a cloud-free view
A new spectral band on NASA's Landsat satellite helps identify high-altitude cirrus clouds, allowing scientists to account for their impact on data. The feature enables users to disregard cloudy images or correct data from other spectral bands, ensuring accurate results.
Satellites see storm system that created Moore, Okla., tornado
The NASA-NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite captured lightning observations after the tornado dissipated, revealing that the thunderstorm complex was still active at night. The storm system continued through the region, with another satellite capturing an image of the powerful storm at night.
NASA builds unusual testbed for analyzing X-ray navigation technologies
A NASA team has built a first-of-a-kind testbed to simulate pulsar-on-table technology for X-ray navigation. The Goddard X-ray Navigation Laboratory Testbed will validate advanced technologies for the NICER/SEXTANT mission, which aims to study neutron star interior compositions and demonstrate pulsar-based navigation.
Satellite sees Tropical Storm Alvin's life end quickly
Tropical Storm Alvin quickly weakened into a remnant low pressure area, embedded within the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone, after being named on May 15. The National Hurricane Center issued its final advisory on May 17, predicting winds would gradually diminish and not regenerate.
NASA sees Cyclone Mahasen hit Bangladesh
Tropical Cyclone Mahasen brought heavy rains and tropical storm force winds to southern Bangladesh, resulting in reported deaths of at least 13 people. NASA's TRMM satellite measured the cyclone's rainfall rates from space, providing valuable insights into its impact.
NASA's STEREO detects a CME from the sun
A powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) was detected by NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory on May 17, 2013, traveling at speeds of around 745 miles per second. The CME is expected to cause a geomagnetic storm when it connects with the Earth's magnetic envelope.
NASA sees heavy rainfall as Cyclone Mahasen made landfall
Cyclone Mahasen brought heavy rainfall to southern Bangladesh, with the TRMM satellite capturing areas of intense thunderstorms north of the storm's center. The cyclone is expected to weaken and move across northeastern India due to rugged terrain and strong wind shear.
NASA satellite data helps pinpoint glaciers' role in sea level rise
A new study using NASA satellite data found that glaciers outside of Greenland and Antarctica lost an average of 571 trillion pounds of mass every year, contributing to a 0.03-inch-per-year rise in sea levels. This is equal to about 30% of the total observed global sea level rise during the same period.
NASA sees Eastern Pacific get first tropical storm: Alvin
Tropical Storm Alvin was the first to be named in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, as observed by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm showed bands of thunderstorms wrapping into its low-level center, strengthening further over May 16.
Team wins cubesat berth to gather earth energy imbalance measurements
A NASA-funded team will develop a miniature instrument to measure the amount of solar energy reflected by Earth and emitted as infrared radiation. The team aims to understand the Earth's energy balance, which is critical to climate science.
NASA satellites eye Cyclone Mahasen as Bangladesh prepares for landfall
Cyclone Mahasen is strengthening in the Bay of Bengal, with NASA satellites tracking its movement and predicting a large storm surge along the Bangladeshi coastline. Heavy rainfall totals over 500 mm have been recorded in the northern Indian Ocean, posing significant flooding risks for residents in coastal areas.
NASA sees first Eastern Pacific tropical depression to open season
The first tropical depression of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season formed on May 15, according to NASA data. Tropical Depression One-E was detected by the Aqua satellite and showed signs of strong thunderstorms with heavy rainfall potential.
NASA completes first part of Webb Telescope's 'eye surgery' operation
Engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center performed delicate 'eye surgery' to implant the MIRI instrument, weighing 181 pounds, into the ISIM module. The precise operation requires coordination among multiple team members to avoid disturbing the critical science instruments.
NASA sees activity continue on the sun
A strong X1.2 class solar flare was detected on May 14, 2013, with a non-Earth-directed CME caused by the flare. The CME is traveling at speeds of up to 745 miles per second and may impact spacecraft in its path.
3 X-class flares in 24 hours
The sun emitted a third significant solar flare, exceeding the strength of earlier X-class flares, with an associated coronal mass ejection (CME) traveling at approximately 1,400 miles per second
NASA sees controlled fires in Southern Australia
Controlled fires are deliberately set by fire officials to clean out dry underbrush and debris. This strategy helps prevent devastating bushfires from getting out of control, as evident in the NASA image of southern Australia showing well-planned and controlled burns.
First X-class solar flare of 2013
The May 12, 2013 solar flare was classified as an X1.7, making it the first X-class flare of 2013 and part of the sun's normal 11-year activity cycle. The flare was associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME) that sent solar material into space, but was not Earth-directed.
NASA sees the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Jamala fading
Tropical Cyclone Jamala's remnants are visible in NASA satellite images. The storm broke apart due to harsh atmospheric conditions, leaving behind a weaker system.
NASA sees a strengthening Tropical Cyclone Mahasen
Tropical Cyclone Mahasen is projected to track north through the Bay of Bengal and make landfall later this week. The storm's maximum sustained winds are expected to increase over the next couple of days, reaching hurricane force by May 15.
NASA sees 2 tropical cyclones competing in the Indian Ocean
Tropical Cyclone Jamala and newborn Tropical Cyclone 01B are both intensifying in the Indian Ocean, with Jamala forecast to reach hurricane strength and make landfall on May 14 or 15 in northwestern Burma and eastern Bangladesh.
Wildfires in Siberia
NASA's Aqua satellite provided satellite images of Siberian wildfires, indicating a high likelihood due to dry conditions. The MODIS instrument detected hotspots in the region, which were then mapped over satellite images for clickable analysis.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope finds dead stars 'polluted with planet debris'
Researchers have found evidence of building blocks for Earth-sized planets in the atmospheres of two burned-out stars called white dwarfs. The silicon and low levels of carbon in these dead stars suggest that asteroid-like debris is falling onto them, potentially creating rocky planet assembly around stars.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 9, 2013
Landsat thermal sensor lights up from volcano's heat
The Landsat thermal sensor has successfully imaged the heat emanating from Paluweh volcano in Indonesia, capturing a hot spot at the top of the volcanic island. The sensor's ability to distinguish between the hot lava and cooler ash is crucial for scientists studying volcanic activity.
Satellite captures night-time image of California's Springs fire
A NASA satellite captured a clear image of the growing Springs Fire in California using its highly sensitive instrument. The fire consumed over 28,000 acres of brush before being brought under control by firefighting efforts.
Satellite animation shows smoke from California's Springs fire
The NOAA GOES infrared and visible imagery created a 17-second animation of the smoke plume from May 3 to May 5, showing it blow westward into the eastern Pacific. The fire consumed 28,000 acres of brush in the coastal area northwest of Los Angeles.