Articles tagged with Equator
A new study reveals that global ocean currents, rather than Earth's geometry, explain why the Northern Hemisphere receives more tropical rain. Icy waters from the poles influence seasonal rains crucial for crops in Africa and India.
Computer models predict coral reef ecosystem shifts due to warming and acidification, with the Western Pacific becoming less suitable by 2070. Coral Triangle biodiversity is also at risk, while some areas like the eastern Pacific may remain suitable.
Scientists have overturned previous notions of how the sun's writhing insides move from equator to pole and back again. The team found a double-layered circulation system with two cycles on top of each other, providing new opportunities for studying solar magnetism and cycles.
Researchers found that two global warming mechanisms complement each other to shape seasonal rainfall in the tropics. The wet-gets-wetter mechanism predicts increased rainfall in already wet regions, while the warmer-gets-wetter mechanism suggests increased rainfall in regions with rising sea surface temperatures.
A team of international marine researchers found evidence of a sharp decline in coral diversity near the equator, with only 50-60% of species present further away. The study suggests that warming temperatures may lead to corals retreating towards the poles during warm periods and retracting towards the equator in cooler times.
A 450 million-year-old study reveals that an ancient hurricane belt existed in North America, affecting areas now known as New York State and the eastern seaboard. The research team mapped the position of the Ordovician Equator and adjacent tropical zones using fossil distribution and sediments.
A new study reveals that ocean currents may mitigate warming near a handful of equatorial islands, including some in the nation of Kiribati. This finding has important implications for the survival of coral reef systems and provides hope for these at-risk Pacific islands to avoid the devastating effects of global warming.
Climate change could cause ocean currents to operate in a surprising way, mitigating the warming near Pacific island coral reefs. These islands may become isolated refuges for corals and fish, thanks to enhanced upwelling processes driven by the Equatorial Undercurrent.
A recent Columbia University study reveals that the ozone hole has a significant impact on tropical precipitation, affecting rainfall in the Southern Hemisphere. The research demonstrates that ozone depletion is linked to climate change, with far-reaching consequences for international agreements on mitigating global warming.
Researchers used interferometry to take close-up pictures of the winter star Regulus, finding that the actual temperature difference between its equator and poles is much less than previously thought. The study's findings challenge a century-old theory, highlighting the importance of accurate measurements in astronomy.
A team of researchers, including Washington University professor William B. McKinnon and associate professor Andrew Dombard, propose that Iapetus had a sub-satellite created by a giant impact, which eventually broke apart and formed the ridge. The study suggests that tidal forces played a crucial role in shaping the moon's unique feature.
Researchers found that while some plant populations show stable responses to climate change, others experience rapid declines in survival and growth when warmed above a certain threshold. Long-term studies are crucial for understanding these complex effects.
A new analysis suggests that a prolonged phase of low activity in solar cycle 23 could be caused by changes in the sun's conveyor belt. The study's findings provide insight into factors controlling solar cycles and may lead to improved predictions.
A new analysis suggests that a stretched Sun conveyor belt may have caused the prolonged phase of low activity in solar cycle 23, leading to longer solar cycles. The study provides insights into the factors controlling solar cycles and could improve predictions.
Engineers at the University of Strathclyde have proven Dr. Robert L Forward's 1984 theory on improving satellite telecommunications by displacing geostationary orbits north or south of the equator. This achievement could lead to increased communications capacity and new Earth observation orbits.
Researchers found evidence of tropical sea ice 716.5 million years ago, supporting the theory that Earth experienced a 'snowball Earth' event with ice covering all latitudes. This discovery provides insight into the survival of eukaryotic life during this period.
Researchers have identified 11,500-year patterns of wet and dry phases in tropical East Africa, linked to changes in solar radiation and Earth's axial rotation. These fluctuations had a significant impact on regional climate change, highlighting the importance of hydrological variations.
Researchers using NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have detected sub-surface water ice at high latitudes of Mars, with some areas showing ice purity of up to 99%. The ice is believed to be a relic of a more humid climate on Mars in the recent past and could provide insights into the planet's history.
The tropical rain band is shifting north at an average rate of 1.4 kilometers per year, which could lead to droughts in Pacific islands and reduced freshwater supplies by mid-century or sooner. The shift is attributed to the warming world, with greenhouse gases potentially accelerating this process.
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.
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.
A survey found that many health research reporting guidelines lack funding, leading to poor methodology and findings. The EQUATOR Network aims to harmonize development and promote use of guidelines through training and resources.
Researchers challenge the prevailing view that the Colorado Plateau shifted north during the Jurassic Period, citing evidence from ancient dunes and climate modeling. The findings indicate the area remained at the equator, sparking a new conundrum in the scientific community.
Researchers used optical interferometry to produce the most detailed stellar picture ever made, revealing surprising new insights about rapid rotators like Altair. The image shows equatorial darkening, a phenomenon predicted by astronomer Hugo von Zeipel in 1924.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are developing new instrumentation to better understand and predict space weather. They are studying ionospheric storms that can affect life on Earth, including radiation threats and communication disruptions.
Researchers found a 2-degree widening of the tropics, with subtropical deserts expanding into midlatitude regions. Midlatitude temperatures warmed by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit over 26 years, suggesting a change in jet stream positions.
Researchers at New York University's Milagro facility have detected the most energetic gamma rays yet observed along the galactic equator, reaching 3.5 trillion electron-volts in energy. The findings, published in Physical Review Letters, provide new insights into cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar medium.
Jupiter's atmosphere is driven by heat from within the planet, creating organized wind chaos. The computer models explain why there are two classes of jet winds: strong and narrow near the equator, but weak and wide at higher latitudes due to the planet's curvature and rotation.
Researchers have discovered five giant impact basins on Mars that lie along a great circle, indicating that asteroids collided with the planet's equator. The finds suggest that running water likely existed in the region before surface water diminished, which is crucial for future manned missions to Mars.
A Harvard researcher predicts a decline in cleansing summer winds, leading to increased ground-level ozone pollution. This could exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma for affected populations.
Astronomers have detected Regulus' rotationally induced distortions using the CHARA array, revealing its temperature difference between polar and equatorial regions. The star's centrifugal force causes it to expand, resulting in gravity darkening, where it becomes brighter at its poles than at its equator.
Astronomer Dr. Schaefer has discovered a long-lost star catalog of Hipparchus, an ancient Greek astronomer, on the Roman statue Farnese Atlas. The catalog, which dates back to 129 B.C., was previously thought to be lost and its accuracy questioned.
Researchers found that populations near the equator have a functional protein for salt retention, while those in cooler climates have a mutant gene producing a dysfunctional protein. This correlation suggests a shared selective pressure and could change disease gene hunting strategies.
Scientists at NCAR's High Altitude Observatory developed a new model that accounts for the evolution of sunspots caused by plasma circulation. The forecast predicts solar storms and cycle 24 starting around 2007-2008, with potential implications for understanding stars similar to the Sun.
Research suggests that planets with high tilt angles may be habitable if they have suitable geography, such as large oceans or continents near the equator. While extreme temperatures would make it difficult for simple life forms to survive, advanced water-dependent life could thrive in these environments.
Scientists have discovered a significant upward bulge at the equator and downward bulge at the poles in the Earth's gravity field. The observed changes are counteracting the gravitational effects of post-glacial rebound, leading researchers to investigate potential causes such as climate change or ocean circulation.
NASA's QuikSCAT satellite data reveals two ITCZs: a northern zone near the equator and a southern zone south of the equator. The southern zone is weaker due to cooler ocean water, affecting wind speeds and precipitation patterns globally.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered direct evidence of climate change on Mars, finding that water ice was once present closer to the equator. The findings suggest that the icy region has moved from the planet's poles to nearer its equator due to climate change.
The MAX-Planck-Gesellschaft launched the EQUATOR-S satellite in 1997, after years of development. The spacecraft aims to explore the Earth's magnetosphere and study the aurora borealis, providing valuable insights for the Inter-Agency Solar-Terrestrial Physics Program.
A new mathematical model proposes the sun's magnetic field resembles a wild cyclone rather than a tidy lawn sprinkler. The model suggests that the magnetic field lines pass through different latitudes, providing a route for low-energy particles to travel from the equator to the poles.