Articles tagged with Atmosphere
The study found that while water vapour is common in exoplanet atmospheres, its amounts are surprisingly lower than expected. The results also suggest a depletion of oxygen relative to other elements and provide clues into how these exoplanets may have formed without substantial accretion of ice.
Tracking methane emissions is crucial to meeting global climate warming targets, with a need for improved measurement and modeling techniques. New technologies including isotopic variants and satellite mapping will help quantify emissions and understand mechanisms causing changes.
A study published in Science reveals that the three major oxygenation events on Earth occurred spontaneously due to feedbacks between the global phosphorus, carbon, and oxygen cycles. This new theory drastically increases the possibility of high-oxygen worlds existing elsewhere, making intelligent life more common.
Astronomers can now use a high-resolution spectral field guide to detect signs of life on Proxima b and Trappist-1e, two potential habitable exoplanets. The guide, developed by Cornell University student Zifan Lin, will aid in the exploration of these worlds' atmospheres using next-generation telescopes like the Extremely Large Telescope.
Typhoon Kammuri's eye was obscured by a large central dense overcast (CDO) in satellite imagery from NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite. The typhoon is moving westward, with maximum sustained winds of 105 knots, and is expected to strengthen slightly before weakening and dissipating.
A new study finds that sea levels will rise by 20 centimeters by 2300 even if current carbon emissions pledges are met. The increase is attributed to global warming, which takes longer to respond than immediate temperature increases.
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that climate change will make the world wetter due to plant responses. Plants are expected to consume more water in the future, leading to less water availability for people in mid-latitudes.
UCI researchers found that as trees and plants conserve water due to high CO2 levels, soil moisture builds up underground, leading to increased rain runoff. This 'forest effect' can significantly impact river dynamics, particularly in regions like the Mississippi River basin.
A team of astronomers discovered three areas in the disk of a young star where gas is cascading into gaps, indicating the presence of forming planets. The study confirms a theory about how planets acquire their atmospheres, suggesting that warmer gas from the outer layers of the disk forms the atmosphere of the planet.
Researchers observed unique gas flows and identified three predicted planets around young star HD 163296. The gas flows, like waterfalls, indicate the presence of infant planets pushing aside dust and gas, providing evidence for planet formation. The study offers a more complete picture of planet formation than previously thought.
Researchers Xu Dahai and Chen Junming investigated the physical and chemical origin of secondary fine particles in haze. They defined atmospheric self-purification ability and established equations to analyze key factors forming secondary fine particles, revealing their macro mechanism and synergistic effect. The study provides a quant...
Researchers have developed a machine learning model to predict global ocean methane emissions, providing a more accurate understanding of the atmosphere's methane cycle. The study reveals that very shallow coastal waters contribute around 50% of total ocean methane emissions, despite making up only 5% of the ocean area.
A new study reveals that the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) significantly impacts daily rainfall patterns in Sumatra. The MJO brings cloudy, rain periods and sunny, drier periods, with greater potential for significant rain events when active near the Maritime Continent.
Mechanism modeling can improve the accuracy of air-sea fluxes, which are crucial for predicting marine atmospheric boundary layer processes. By accounting for the impact of waves, currents, and wind coupled together, models can better represent the interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.
A new study by Duke University researchers finds that reducing fossil fuel emissions gradually will prevent a sudden spike in warming, instead leading to a decrease in warming rates within two decades. This approach also reduces the rate of further greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere, slowing down future warming.
Scientists at University College London have discovered water vapor on the potentially habitable exoplanet K2-18b, which orbits a cool dwarf star about 110 light years from Earth. The detection confirms that the planet is in its star's 'habitable zone', where temperatures could support liquid water and life.
Researchers found that aphid-infested Scots pine trees emit a distinct mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including sesquiterpenes, which affect secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. The study suggests that increased plant stress in a changing climate could influence SOA production.
Researchers detected water vapor signatures on K2-18b, a planet in the habitable zone around a small red dwarf star. The findings suggest liquid water could pool on its surface if it's terrestrial in nature.
NASA satellite data tracks large-scale trends in fire activity, consistent with a warming climate, particularly in the western US, Canada, and Northern Hemisphere forests. Research reveals that high temperatures, low humidity, and warmer nighttime temperatures contribute to increased fire risk and activity.
The Cambrian explosion saw dramatic ocean oxygenation fluctuations driven by seafloor animal life. Seafloor samples revealed two significant anoxic periods linked to declining atmospheric oxygen concentrations.
A new study found that concurrent soil drought and atmospheric aridity are driven by land-atmosphere processes and feedback loops, leading to increased frequency and intensity of extreme events. The researchers warn that future intensification of these events would be disastrous for ecosystems and human lives.
Climate simulations suggest that land-atmosphere feedbacks can increase atmospheric aridity, leading to high probabilities of concurrent soil drought and extreme aridity. The study also predicts more frequent and intense drought and aridity in the coming century with significant human and ecological implications.
A study proposes that the nitrogenase enzyme, essential for photosynthesis, blocked its own activity at 2% atmospheric oxygen levels, stabilizing oxygen levels for nearly two billion years. This negative feedback loop prevented further oxygen production and explains why oxygen levels rose to today's levels.
New research finds that unusual ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific and Atlantic can increase April tornado occurrences over the Great Plains. Climate researchers discovered a link between ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions that enhance thunderstorms and tornado-favorable environments.
Researchers evaluated satellite and reanalysis PWV datasets against radiosonde observations in Central Asia, finding ERA5 and MERRA2 perform better in climatological characteristics and interannual variations. The study provides valuable information for future research on water cycle in Central Asia.
Astronomers have developed a model showing the James Webb Space Telescope can detect the atmospheres of all seven TRAPPIST-1 planets in just 10 transits or fewer, even with cloud cover. The telescope's Near-Infrared Spectrograph will help identify gas spectral fingerprints to determine atmosphere composition.
New research reveals that reduced Arctic sea ice does not cause extreme cold winters, but rather is linked to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. The correlation between reduced sea ice and cold winters occurs because both are driven by the same large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns.
Scientists have developed a new technique to visualize gas-liquid collisions using lasers, enabling the study of fundamental molecular interactions. The method captures individual frames of molecular movement, revealing the rough surface of liquids and their impact on atmospheric chemistry.
The new image shows Jupiter's trademark Great Red Spot and a more intense color palette in the clouds than seen in previous years. The colorful bands result from differences in atmospheric pressures and ice cloud thickness.
The study reveals that hot Jupiter WASP-121b is losing its hydrogen and helium atmosphere due to strong gravity, allowing heavier elements like magnesium and iron to escape. The observations provide insights into the planet's extreme environment and its potential for hosting life.
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered three new planets orbiting a nearby star, including one slightly larger than Earth. The planets' sizes and masses are unique, with two potentially similar to Neptune in our solar system, offering insights into planetary formation and evolution.
Researchers have discovered a young exoplanet orbiting one of the brightest young stars known, providing valuable information on planetary body formation. The exoplanet, DS Tuc Ab, is about six times the size of Earth and orbits its main star in just eight days.
Researchers found drastic drops in organic material preserved in core samples from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum event, suggesting soils emitted atmospheric carbon dioxide. The findings could mean global climate models overestimate terrestrial ecosystems' ability to mitigate future warming.
A series of large volcanic eruptions between 1808 and 1835 significantly altered the global climate, causing droughts in Africa and increased precipitation in Europe. The study's findings have implications for defining a pre-industrial climate and setting climate targets.
Researchers discovered that the forces of flight through the atmosphere lead to the formation of conical meteorites. The 'Goldilocks' cones have angles that match real-world conical meteorite shapes. This finding sheds light on why many meteorites arrive on Earth in cone-shaped forms.
The FGOALS-f3-L climate model has been developed to capture the basic patterns of atmospheric circulation and precipitation. The new model is fast in completing computing tasks and overcomes some model biases related to climate sensitivity and cloud microphysics.
A new study by University of Arkansas researcher Linyin Cheng found that a warming climate amplifies the intensity and likelihood of heatwaves during severe droughts in the southern plains and southwest US. In regions with low soil moisture, higher temperatures create a 'feedback loop' that links the land and air, worsening droughts.
Researchers from the Climate Change Research Center discovered that the positive-phase AMO causes nonuniform Eurasian summer warming. The study highlights the role of the Silk Road Pattern in modulating atmospheric variability, leading to amplified warming.
Semi-arid regions in northern China have expanded significantly over the past 60 years due to climate change. The drying trend is linked to a weakened East Asian summer monsoon and amplified by land-atmosphere interactions. This expansion increases the risk of desertification, food insecurity and water scarcity.
A record-breaking South American drought and marine heatwave in 2013/14 were caused by strong atmospheric convection over the Indian Ocean. The event displaced normal atmospheric circulation over South America, leading to extreme weather conditions and severe impacts on agriculture, public health, and fisheries.
Astronomers have identified the atmospheric composition of a mid-size planet between Earth and Neptune for the first time using NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes. The planet, Gliese 3470 b, has a large rocky core surrounded by a deep crushing atmosphere mostly composed of hydrogen and helium.
Researchers linked East Asia's extreme heat in spring 2018 to North Atlantic SST anomalies. The study found a link between tripole mode of North Atlantic SST anomalies and anomalous Rossby wave trains over the North Atlantic and Eurasia.
The discovery of L 98-59b marks the tiniest planet found by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to date. The planet is around 80% Earth's size and orbits its host star every 2.25 days, receiving up to 22 times the energy of our planet.
Researchers mapped radiative cooling resource maps to determine the best climates for large-scale deployment of passive cooling technologies. Locations with drier atmospheres and most frequent clear skies show great potential for reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Researchers discovered that an anomalous anticyclone and cyclonic anomaly over the western North Pacific facilitated extreme heat via subsidence anomalies. Cooling over the southeastern tropical Indian Ocean also contributed to this phenomenon.
An international research team reconstructed ice nucleating particles from ice cores for the first time, providing insights into cloud cover in the Arctic over the last 500 years. The measurements could help close gaps in knowledge on climate research and inform future climate changes.
Researchers discovered that meteors create 'meteoric smoke' in Mars' middle atmosphere, condensing into thin clouds. These clouds have a significant impact on the Martian climate, influencing temperatures and potentially affecting past evolution.
Scientists from IAC and ULL analyze MASCARA-2B/KELT-20b's atmosphere, revealing details on its composition and temperature. The team detected hydrogen beta, singly ionized iron, and magnesium using CARMENES spectrograph.
Researchers confirm that banded iron formations formed through oxidation of ferrous iron, rejecting a newly proposed model. The study provides strong evidence for existing models and our current understanding of these sedimentary rocks.
The University of Maryland will lead a five-year research effort with NOAA, focusing on satellite services, Earth system observations and services, and Earth system research. CISESS aims to improve weather and climate forecasts, build resilience to extreme events, and provide capabilities for data access and management.
A Stanford-led paper proposes converting methane into carbon dioxide as a climate change solution. The process could eliminate one-sixth of all causes of global warming and generate significant profits with a price on carbon emissions. Zeolite, a crystalline material, can act as a sponge to capture methane.
A Rutgers-led study found that the massive Laki volcano eruption in Iceland did not lead to an extreme summer heat wave in Europe. Instead, it caused unusually cold winters due to natural climate variability and high-pressure systems. The eruption also had devastating effects on Iceland's livestock and human populations.
The Arctic Ocean's seasonal memory mechanism explains how atmospheric circulation causes the Eurasian Arctic to melt faster than the American Arctic. The researchers found that different seasonal patterns are at play depending on region, with the Eurasian Arctic losing ice in winter and the American Arctic only losing ice in summer.
A new study using the PlanetNet algorithm provides unprecedented precision in analyzing Saturn's storm clouds, revealing features previously undetected. The analysis of Cassini data reveals atmospheric processes driving the storms, including dark cloud material swept up from lower atmosphere.
Researchers from UCL and University of Arizona developed a 'deep learning' approach called PlanetNet to detect storms on Saturn. The algorithm accurately maps the components and features in turbulent regions, revealing previously undetected atmospheric features such as ammonia ice clouds.
Scientists will study Uranus and Neptune's poorly understood regions with greater accuracy using a new, improved net flux radiometer. The instrument, developed for NASA's Planetary Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations program, features thermopile sensors and seven infrared channels to measure heat.
A NASA study has verified recent global warming figures, showing high consistency between satellite-based AIRS data and station-based GISTEMP analysis over the past 15 years. The findings also suggest that surface-based data may be underestimating temperature changes in the Arctic, indicating faster warming at the poles.
A recent study synthesizes research on severe haze pollution in Northern China, highlighting its complex interaction between human activities and atmospheric conditions. The findings suggest that improving haze prediction and developing effective regulatory policies require additional knowledge and public awareness campaigns.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that volcanic eruptions in the Siberian Traps led to a global catastrophe known as the Great Dying, which killed off 95% of life on Earth. The eruptions released massive amounts of mercury vapor into the atmosphere, causing acid rain and warming the planet.
Climate scientists are partnering with the City and County of San Francisco to assess how climate change may influence the intensity of atmospheric rivers and associated precipitation. Using high-resolution climate simulations at a resolution of 3 km, researchers aim to provide more accurate predictions about extreme weather events in ...