Articles tagged with Atmosphere
A team of researchers has created a technique using traditional GPS satellite signals to measure snow depth and soil/vegetation moisture. This new method has the potential to benefit climate modelers, atmospheric researchers, farmers, and water resource managers by providing accurate and relatively inexpensive data.
Carbon dioxide emissions from human activities reached an all-time high of 1.3 tonnes of carbon per capita per year in 2008, driven mainly by increased use of coal. The global effort to reduce emissions from human activity must be accelerated to avoid the worst-case scenario of climate change.
Global fossil fuel CO2 emissions increased by 29% between 2008 and 2000 due to growing coal use and international trade. The natural carbon sinks' efficiency has decreased, allowing more CO2 to remain in the atmosphere. This rise highlights the need for drastic reduction in global CO2 emissions.
Researchers have found two Earth-sized bodies with oxygen-rich atmospheres, which are not planets but rather unusual white dwarf stars. The discovery was made using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and suggests that these stars may have descended from massive progenitor stars.
A UH Mānoa team led by Ralf Kaiser discovered triacetylene formation in Titan's atmosphere through simulation experiments and theoretical calculations. This finding sheds light on the origin and chemical evolution of Saturn's moon, which may serve as a building block for more complex polyynes.
A new analytical method developed by researchers at the University of Copenhagen reveals a significant correlation between oxygen content in seawater and global cooling. The study indicates two periods in Earth's history with large increases in oxygen content, which led to temperature decreases and potentially enabled life in deep oceans.
A new MIT study forecasts an increase in extreme rainfall events, with precipitation in these events expected to rise by 6% for every one degree Celsius temperature increase. Climate models show varying results within the tropics, prompting further research to determine outcomes in tropical regions.
Researchers from Caltech have observed a large system of storm clouds on Titan, revealing clouds near the equator for the first time. The discovery has significant implications for understanding the hydrological cycle on Titan and challenges previous speculations about cloud formation in dry regions.
A team of researchers from Caltech and University of Copenhagen have discovered a new chemical compound in the atmosphere that may help explain how clouds form over forests. The compound, dihydroxyepoxide, is formed when tree-released hydrocarbons interact with atmospheric compounds, providing a missing link in cloud formation.
New research confirms human-induced warming increases atmospheric water vapor content, a greenhouse gas amplifying global warming. Climate models' ability to identify this effect is not influenced by their quality.
The Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) is the world's largest network of ground-based sensors for aerosols, crucial to understanding Earth's climate. AERONET was born from a need to study vegetation using satellites, but Holben shifted focus to aerosols, leading to a better understanding of their role in climate change.
Scientists have found that when sulfate and soot mix in the atmosphere, the sulfate shell enhances the absorption of light by coated soot particles. This mixing happens quickly and affects the role of soot in climate change, potentially leading to more warming.
Researchers propose reducing atmospheric pressure to extend Earth's lifespan by 1.3 billion years, doubling the chances of finding intelligent life elsewhere. This mechanism could occur on any extrasolar planet with an atmosphere and biosphere.
Scientists have discovered magnetic tornadoes on Mercury that could be replenishing its extremely thin atmosphere. These 'tornadoes' form when magnetic fields carried by the solar wind connect to Mercury's magnetic field, twisting into vortex-like structures.
Researchers found that a surge in atmospheric methane gas 11,600 years ago was more chemically consistent with an expansion of wetlands rather than a large-scale melting of frozen methane deposits. This discovery suggests that wetland regions may have played a significant role in regulating global warming during past events.
Research finds that atmospheric pollution has enhanced global plant productivity by up to a quarter since 1960, leading to a 10% increase in carbon stored by the land. This unexpected effect occurs due to increased diffuse radiation reaching the Earth's surface under hazy conditions.
Lead from human activities causes clouds to form at warmer temperatures with less water, altering rain and snow patterns. The presence of lead also changes the distribution and density of clouds, affecting the amount of earth's heat that escapes into space.
The Hypersonic Control Modeling and Simulation Tool (HyperCMST) will be used for control studies of planetary atmospheric entry and descent, aerodynamic orbital capture, and aerodynamic gravity assist. The tool allows engineers to model optimal control trajectories for hypersonic vehicles.
Researchers found a drop in dissolved nickel in seawater around 2.7 billion years ago, which could have led to the Great Oxidation Event. This event increased oxygen levels dramatically, changing the Earth's surface environment and making advanced life possible.
The US and Portugal have signed an agreement to launch a portable climate observatory on Graciosa Island in the Azores, which will measure cloud and aerosol properties for 20 months. This study aims to enhance scientific understanding of low-level marine clouds and improve climate models.
Researchers found evidence of abundant oxygen in ancient ocean and atmosphere, dating back 3.46 billion years. The discovery suggests early life forms like cyanobacteria produced oxygen 3.46 billion years ago.
Scientists warn that natural carbon sinks like forests and oceans are struggling to keep pace with increasing greenhouse gas emissions. This shift could lead to drastic consequences for climate change predictions.
A new detection technique using polarized light helps accurately measure aerosol composition, size, and global distribution. The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument measures aerosols over land, providing greater accuracy compared to previous methods.
Dr. Rosalind Rickaby, a biogeochemist at Oxford University, has been awarded the 2009 Rosenstiel Award for her groundbreaking research on marine phytoplankton and their impact on the Earth's climate. Her innovative approaches are helping to establish a record of the influences these microorganisms have had on the planet.
A University of Michigan researcher has developed a method to reconcile data on greenhouse gas sources and sinks, improving the accuracy of climate predictions. By analyzing atmospheric sampling locations and satellite data, she aims to predict how carbon levels will evolve in the future.
Researchers observed the intense heating of HD 80606b as it swung close to its star, providing clues to its atmospheric properties. The data enabled the creation of realistic images of the planet using computer simulations.
Wallace Broecker, a renowned geochemist, receives the Frontiers of Knowledge Award for his pioneering work on ocean-atmosphere interactions and early warnings about climate change. He will donate the $527,000 prize to support research on climate change.
A team of NASA and university scientists has detected methane in the Martian atmosphere, indicating the planet may be biologically active. The discovery was made using spectrometers at the Infrared Telescope Facility and W.M. Keck telescope, revealing three spectral features that are a definitive signature of methane.
The Nonhydrostatic ICosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM) successfully simulated the lifecycles of two real tropical cyclones. The model's realistic representation of clouds and atmospheric conditions allowed it to reproduce the birth, path, and evolution of the observed cyclones.
Researchers found evidence of increased greenhouse gases in ancient ice core records, suggesting that human influence on climate started with large-scale agriculture and deforestation. The study challenges the traditional view that the Industrial Revolution marked the beginning of human-induced climate change.
Researchers are exploring the possibility of life on giant, cold planets called Super-Earths that could harbor a liquid ocean beneath their icy surface. The team uses a novel approach involving gravitational microlensing to detect these potentially habitable worlds.
Astronomers have discovered carbon dioxide on a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting another star, HD 189733b. The detection is significant as it could be a sign of biological activity, and further studies will focus on characterizing the planet's atmosphere to determine its habitability.
The new system, AMSTAR, will provide NCAR with up to 30 petabytes of storage capacity and enable scientists to conduct increasingly sophisticated computer studies of Earth's climate. The system is based on the Sun StorageTek SL8500 Modular Library and will allow NCAR to store its valuable scientific data for the next 15-20 years.
Scientists from 40 institutions participate in an international field experiment to collect real-time data on the southeastern Pacific's climate system. The study aims to improve global climate models and better predict Earth's climate.
The new global carbon budget shows unprecedented acceleration of CO2 emissions and atmospheric accumulation, with natural sinks growing slower than emissions. Decreasing forest cover mainly due to deforestation is responsible for a significant portion of emissions, while oceans' carbon uptake has decreased by 10 million tons.
Researchers found a 50 km wide atmospheric chemical equator in cloudless skies of the Western Pacific, dividing pollutants between the two hemispheres. The discovery will aid pollution mapping and climate assessment by improving simulations of pollutant transport.
Boston University's John T. Clarke leads an engineering and astronomy team on NASA's MAVEN mission to study Martian atmosphere changes. The team aims to solve the mystery of Mars' lost atmosphere, exploring possibilities of water's escape or freezing into the planet's crust.
NJIT physics professor Andrew Gerrard has installed a 1.2-meter diameter telescope atop Jenny Jump Mountain, allowing amateurs to observe the heavens at professional levels. The telescope will also aid researchers in studying gravity waves affecting earth's circulation and climate change.
The Blanco Transform Fault Zone has experienced over 1,500 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater in the past 40 years, with many thousands of smaller quakes. The region's tectonic stress may affect the Cascadia Subduction Zone, potentially leading to a major earthquake.
A new observational study describes the world's weather patterns and climate influences by revealing four distinct atmospheric circulation cells. The cells create temperature and wind distribution in the mid-latitudes, including the UK, Europe, and US, which was previously not fully understood.
Researchers at Arizona State University have made a breakthrough in understanding the effect of brown carbon on climate change by developing a novel technique to measure its optical properties. This discovery could lead to more accurate forecasting of global warming activity, as current models often overlook this key component.
Researchers discovered an extreme cooling event 12,700 years ago in Western Europe, with sediments revealing a short-term shift in atmospheric circulation. The findings suggest the climate system is not fully understood, with many puzzles remaining to be solved.
Massive underwater volcanic eruptions occurred 23 thousand years before a global oceanic anoxic event, leading to the extinction of ocean life. The eruptions released nutrients and oxygen-depleting gases, causing a chain reaction that ultimately led to the mass extinction.
The article proposes merging NOAA and USGS to create an independent Earth Systems Science Agency (ESSA) to address climate change, freshwater availability, and biodiversity loss. The new agency would have a comprehensive perspective on both environmental and resource systems.
Researchers analyzed Greenland ice cores to understand sudden climate changes at the end of the last ice age. The results show that climatic shifts occurred rapidly over just a few years, with dramatic changes in temperature and atmospheric circulation.
A study of a Greenland ice core has shown that two temperature spikes prior to the last ice age were tied to fundamental shifts in atmospheric circulation. The research found abrupt warming events that occurred suddenly, challenging modern societies' ability to adapt, and provided insights into the sequence of climate change
A new study by an international team of scientists found that around one-third of the nitrogen entering the world's oceans from the atmosphere is man-made. This has significant implications for global climate change as it leads to increased marine biological activity and CO2 uptake, producing nitrous oxide emissions.
Scientists have discovered ice core data showing low CO2 levels and methane fluctuations that match temperature curves. The findings provide insight into climate history and help develop models for future climate changes.
Researchers found that pointed wingtips and reduced weight per wing area reduce flight costs for migratory birds. Climate change may exacerbate this effect, altering bird migration patterns and energy budgets.
Scientists have detected polarized glow in Northern Lights, revealing clues to the composition of Earth's upper atmosphere and magnetic field configuration. The phenomenon also offers a way to determine magnetic field configurations on other planets.
Researchers like Brad Marston use statistical physics to analyze climate patterns, providing insights into the driving concepts behind global warming. By focusing on the larger mechanisms that drive changes in rainfall, scientists can improve their understanding of climate change and its effects.
The crew will make groundbreaking measurements to explain how huge fluxes of climate-affecting gases move between atmosphere and sea. The Southern Ocean, comprising 30% of global seas, is a source of great uncertainty in the global system.
A study on Mercury's gravity reveals a comet-like tail extending over 2.5 million kilometers away from the planet. Meanwhile, research finds that rising carbon dioxide levels are linked to increased ground-level ozone concentrations, harming lung function and respiratory systems.
Scientists will embark on a six-week research expedition to measure turbulence, waves, and bubbles in the Southern Ocean to improve the accuracy of climate models. The goal is to understand how gases important to climate change move between the atmosphere and ocean under high winds and seas.
Stan Kidder, a CIRA researcher, has contributed to a new book celebrating 50 years of Earth observations from space. The book highlights the significant contributions satellites have made to weather forecasting, providing capabilities that were not possible before satellites, such as predicting tropical storms and severe weather events.
Research into giant perturbations on Jupiter reveals that jet streams go deep into the planet's atmosphere, with storms forming among deepest clouds. The team used a combination of telescopes to observe the phenomenon, finding surprising similarities with previous cases.
New seismic images of the Chicxulub crater suggest the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs landed in deeper water than previously thought. This led to a larger release of water vapor into the atmosphere, which could have exacerbated the effects of acid rain and climate change.
An international team of astronomers has successfully detected and monitored the polarized light scattered in an exoplanet's atmosphere for the first time. The study reveals that the exoplanet, HD189733b, has a swollen atmosphere with particles scattering blue light, similar to Earth's atmosphere.
Researchers at CU-Boulder predict wetter storms in the Arctic and mid-latitudes due to global warming, with increased precipitation over individual storms but no clear trend in net precipitation. Higher CO2 levels warm the atmosphere, leading to more water-holding capacity and increased storm moisture content.
Researchers at UCL have identified a critical point of no return for gas giants, beyond which their atmospheres become unstable and rapidly expand. At this threshold, the cooling mechanism breaks down, leading to catastrophic consequences.