Articles tagged with Atmosphere
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.
Research from IIASA and the University of Helsinki found that plants release gases that stick to aerosol particles, growing them into larger-sized particles that reflect sunlight and serve as cloud droplets. This feedback loop can counteract up to 30% of warming in forested areas, particularly in regions like Finland, Siberia, and Canada.
Simulations suggest a shift northward, which could increase or decrease seasonal rainfall in areas such as the Amazon, sub-Saharan Africa or East Asia. A warmer northern hemisphere causes atmospheric overturning to weaken in the north and strengthen in the south, shifting rain bands northward.
The MAVEN magnetometer will study the planet's magnetic field to infer how the atmosphere evolved, helping answer why Mars became a frozen desert. By measuring sections of the planet's magnetic field, scientists can create a bigger picture of the overall atmosphere and understand its interactions with solar wind.
Researchers reconstructed ancient ocean conditions, finding most deep ocean was anoxic, with limited oxygen and hydrogen sulfide. This discovery challenges our understanding of eukaryote rise and animal emergence.
A team of scientists has observed the most detailed spectrum yet of an extrasolar planet, revealing a cloudy atmosphere containing water vapor and carbon monoxide. The findings provide clues to the planet's formation and offer insights into how planets form in other solar systems.
The study of HR 8799c's atmosphere suggests a core accretion process led to its formation, similar to our Solar System's formation. The exoplanet's composition reveals an elevated carbon-to-oxygen ratio, indicating water ice grains condensed and formed the planet's solid core.
A new kind of fluctuation analysis reveals three atmospheric regimes: weather, macroweather, and climate. Macroweather has different types of variability than both weather and climate, making climate modeling more precise. This recognition may open up new approaches for predicting the climate.
Scientists studied cloud formation over various regions and found no significant impact from organic coatings on particle formation rates. This discovery helps reduce uncertainty in climate models and provides a step towards more accurate predictions.
A team of UChicago astronomers, led by Jacob Bean, is utilizing new methods to analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets, with a focus on distinguishing between gas giants and water worlds. The search for exoplanets has revealed an estimated 17 billion Earth-sized planets in the Milky Way galaxy, potentially harboring life-sustaining worlds.
Research suggests that human-driven climate change will lead to more frequent and severe weather events in the US, including multi-day heat waves and heavy precipitation. As a result, extreme weather-related disasters are expected to incur significant expenses, affecting both public funds and private equity.
A new study reveals that global warming from greenhouse gases has a weaker impact on global precipitation compared to solar heating. The researchers found that the global rainfall rate increased by about 40% less during the present-day warming period than during past warming phases, despite higher temperatures.
New research reveals that topographic relief in the southern Appalachians increased by over 150% since the Miocene era, suggesting a link to post-orogenic regional uplift. The findings contradict previous theories attributing landscape rejuvenation to climate change or erosion, instead supporting an epeirogenic uplift-driven explanation.
Researchers discover that urban heat generated by metropolitan areas can cause continental-scale surface warming in high latitudes, leading to remote temperature changes. The study suggests that the influence of energy consumption should be considered in computer models to predict future climate change.
A new tool devised by Berkeley Lab scientists detects forest mortality patterns and trends using satellite images, simulation modeling, and fieldwork. The study found that 9.1 to 16.9 percent of tree mortality was missing from conventional analyses, equating to over half a million dead trees per year.
A new study reveals that human activities in cities alter atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to significant warming in northern Asia and North America. The study found that the 'waste heat' generated by urban areas can widen the jet stream and increase temperatures across large distances.
A new study analyzing Greenland ice cores suggests that melting of the Antarctic ice sheet may have contributed more to sea-level rise than the Greenland ice sheet around 100,000 years ago. The research findings indicate a warmer-than-expected climate during the Eemian interglacial period, with surface temperatures about 8 degrees Cels...
Research suggests that cooler climates led to increased biodiversity in marine fauna, while warmer temperatures caused species to become extinct. The study's findings indicate that climate fluctuations played a significant role in the emergence and extinction of species.
A six-year observation by ESA's Venus Express reveals significant changes in the planet's atmosphere, suggesting recent volcanic eruptions. The thick atmosphere contains over a million times more sulphur dioxide than Earth's, which is mostly generated by volcanic activity.
Scientists have observed a significant increase in exotic trace gases over Titan's south pole during the autumnal season. This change is attributed to the reversal of the planet's atmospheric circulation cell direction, which extends to altitudes above 450 km.
Data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show a shift in seasonal sunlight causing a sudden change in atmospheric circulation on Saturn's moon Titan. This unexpected turn reveals the key factor in Titan's atmosphere circulation is the slant of light, which led to sinking air at altitudes previously thought to be upwelling.
A UN report warns that thawing permafrost could significantly amplify global warming due to the release of potent greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide. The report notes that permafrost covers nearly a quarter of the northern hemisphere, holding 1,700 gigatonnes of carbon.
Astronomers have discovered that dwarf planet Makemake lacks a significant atmosphere, revealing new insights into its composition. The study used observations of Makemake passing in front of a star to determine its size, density, and albedo, with findings comparable to dirty snow.
Scientists predict that Greenland's ice sheet will lose more ice and snow to melting than it will accumulate over the next century due to warming temperatures. Basins on the southwest and north coasts will suffer the greatest losses, with temperatures only needing to increase by 0.6-2.16C for net loss.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research is launching a three-year, international study to analyze the effects of smoke from traditional cooking methods on human health. The researchers will combine sensors with computer models to examine links between air pollutants and diseases such as meningitis in northern Ghana.
A new study using the Keck II telescope has produced high-resolution infrared images of Uranus, revealing its bizarre weather patterns. The planet's deep blue-green atmosphere is characterized by massive weather systems behaving in unusual ways, with winds reaching up to 560 miles per hour.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis use simulations to determine the atmospheres of hot super-Earths, finding they are mostly composed of steam and carbon dioxide. The study helps astronomers distinguish between different planetary compositions by analyzing atmospheric spectra.
Researchers have visual evidence that tiny airborne pollutants separate into distinct chemical compositions, with implications for modeling global climate change and predicting air quality conditions. This separation affects the rates of chemical reactions, light reflection and absorption, and cloud formation.
A new study published in Climate of the Past indicates that CO2 levels and temperature rises follow each other closely in terms of time. The research, conducted at the University of Copenhagen, suggests that the processes in the deep-sea around Antarctica play a key role in the CO2 increase.
The study reveals that reduced Arctic sea ice contributes to ground-level warming, while global warming intensifies atmospheric circulation and temperature increases in the Arctic atmosphere. The combination of these factors amplifies the greenhouse effect, leading to faster Arctic warming.
A climate model reveals that pre-industrial emissions from land use changes account for 9% of the increase in global mean temperature since the industrial revolution. Historical CO2 emissions from China and India, largely driven by population growth, continue to impact the atmosphere and climate today.
Astronomers detected significant atmospheric variations on HD 189733b due to a stellar flare, with gas escaping at speeds over 300,000 mph. The discovery provides insights into the interaction between a star and its giant planet.
A new method has been developed to measure the mass of non-transiting planets using carbon monoxide signatures in their atmospheres. This breakthrough technique allows for precise mass determination, opening a new path to study exoplanet properties and potentially detect molecules associated with life.
Melting Arctic sea ice can trigger domino effects leading to severe winter weather outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere. This phenomenon is associated with a weakening of the polar vortex and jet stream, allowing cold Arctic air masses to invade lower latitudes.
Researchers discovered that meteorites can generate methane when exposed to sunlight, which could account for a large part of Mars' atmosphere. This finding informs future Mars missions searching for life and suggests that sunlight and debris from meteorites play a role in shaping the planet's atmosphere.
A new study by UMD researchers provides a tool for tracing sulfur compounds through ocean organisms, atmosphere, and land, potentially proving or disproving the Gaia theory. The discovery reveals differences in sulfur compound metabolism that carry implications for tracking dimethylsulfide emissions and climate regulation.
New research provides evidence of early Mars being saturated with water and having a significantly thicker atmosphere. The study used ancient volcanic eruptions and Martian surface observations to determine the atmospheric pressure billions of years ago.
Climate experts at Stanford University discuss the compound effects of climate change and climate variability on global food markets. The symposium highlights two key challenges: extreme temperatures and El Niñ-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon.
Researcher Vicki Grassian emphasizes the importance of atmospheric aerosols in understanding climate change. Her laboratory studies explore heterogeneous chemical interactions with trace gases, cloud nucleation, and dust's optical properties to improve modeling and field research.
A study by Michigan State University's Institute for the Study of Youth Sports found that coaches who prioritize player self-improvement over competition create a sense of teamwork, social skills, and identity among young athletes. The research suggests that focusing on player development can lead to positive outcomes in life skills an...
The arrival of the first land plants 470 million years ago led to a series of 'ice ages' as they extracted minerals from rocks, causing chemical weathering and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This cooling effect would have been around five degrees Celsius.
According to NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2011 was the ninth warmest year since 1880, with temperatures around the globe 0.92 degrees F warmer than the mid-20th century average.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have collected new data that may lead to better climate models. Plant emissions are influenced by climate change, increasing the rate of biological processes and particle formation, which in turn affects cloud formation and precipitation.
Historical analysis of lake sediments reveals nitrogen pollution from human activities has polluted remote lakes worldwide for over a century. The findings suggest that excess nitrogen contributes to smog, acid rain, and water pollution in these ecosystems.
Researchers used a new 3D climate model to simulate early Earth's climate, finding that the planet was more prone to deep freezes than previously thought. The study suggests that an atmosphere containing 6% carbon dioxide could have kept temperatures warm enough for liquid water to exist.
Two NASA missions aim to discover what transformed Mars from a potentially habitable planet to its current inhospitable state. The Curiosity rover and the MAVEN mission will explore Martian terrain, atmosphere, and geology to uncover clues about the Red Planet's past climate and potential for life.
A new climate study found that daily weather variations have become more erratic and extreme, with significant fluctuations in sunshine and rainfall. This increase in variability could alter the distribution of heat and rainfall, affecting ecosystem stability and industries such as agriculture and solar-energy production.
A University of Miami study reveals that the Southern Oscillation plays a bigger role in the climate system than previously thought. The research finds that atmospheric pressure, surface temperature, and precipitation are similar across two climate scenarios with static and dynamic oceans.
Astronomers have discovered a planet-sized object, dubbed WD 0806-661 B, that is as cool as the Earth's surface. This brown dwarf has a mass similar to Jupiter but orbits a white dwarf companion at a vast distance of 2500 AU.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a model that can be added to existing climate simulations, showing insoluble dust particles form more droplets than thought. This discovery could improve the accuracy of regional climate models, especially in areas with significant amounts of mineral aerosols.
Professor Lynn Shay has been elected a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) for his outstanding contributions to atmospheric and oceanic sciences. His research focuses on upper ocean impacts on hurricane intensity changes, and he has published over 85 papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Researchers reveal new insight into global photosynthesis, estimating a 25% increase in the chemical process governing CO2 absorption and release. The study provides a benchmark for models simulating carbon cycling through plants.
Researchers gather data in the Indian Ocean to understand tropical weather patterns and their effects on global climate. The six-month field campaign aims to improve long-range weather forecasts and seasonal outlooks.
A new analysis suggests that Earth's deep oceans can absorb enough heat to flatten the rate of global warming for periods of up to a decade. The study used computer simulations and found that ocean layers deeper than 1,000 feet are the main location of the 'missing heat' during these periods.
A new study suggests that the planet's deep oceans can absorb enough heat to flatten the rate of global warming for periods of up to a decade. The research, based on computer simulations of global climate, points to ocean layers deeper than 1,000 feet as the main location of the 'missing heat'.
Researchers discovered that evaporated water from trees and lakes helps cool the entire atmosphere, not just locally, through increased cloud formation and reflection of solar radiation. This process has significant implications for land-use decision-making and mitigating global warming.
A University of Toronto-led team has observed extreme brightness changes on a nearby brown dwarf, suggesting the presence of a gigantic storm. The researchers used an infrared camera to capture repeated images of the brown dwarf over several hours, revealing the largest variations in brightness ever seen.
A large-scale meteorological event, an abnormal Rossby wave, sparked extreme heat in Russia and unusual downstream wind patterns that shifted rainfall in the Indian monsoon region, fueling heavy flooding in Pakistan. The study analyzed satellite data to show the connection between the two events.
Astronomers at Caltech have discovered that the dwarf planet 2007 OR10, or Snow White, is an icy world with about half its surface covered in water ice. The findings suggest that the red-tinged dwarf planet may be covered in a thin layer of methane, remnants of an atmosphere slowly being lost into space.
Researchers used a global circulation model to demonstrate how atmospheric waves affect Titan's weather patterns, leading to sharp and surprising cloud shapes. The study reveals that these waves can cause intense precipitation, shaping Titan's surface through erosion.