Earth Observations
Articles tagged with Earth Observations
Horizon Europe’s SWIFTT project concludes with Copernicus-based forest management tool to map, mitigate, and prevent the main threats to EU forests
The SWIFTT platform uses Copernicus Sentinel satellite data and machine learning models to identify tree health changes, detect anomalies, and predict threats like spruce bark beetle outbreaks and wildfires. Foresters can access timely alerts, prioritize inspections, and coordinate clearing of dead wood to protect forests.
[Research Article] CA-MTransUNet: Cloud-aware mixture-of-experts linear transformer U-Net for forest burned area (FBA) mapping using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 images
The CA-MTransU-Net architecture achieves superior mIoU of 87.00% and faster inference speeds compared to benchmark algorithms, providing a scalable solution for post-fire damage assessment in cloud-prone landscapes.
If the Laschamps geomagnetic excursion happened today, aviation radiation exposure would be radically altered – with “shielded pockets” in the north
Researchers modelled the structure of the magnetic field and cosmic radiation throughout the Laschamps excursion. The results show that cosmic radiation penetrated the atmosphere at record levels, with regions where it could freely enter irradiating a major fraction of the Earth's atmosphere.
NASA’s EDGE mission taps Boise State as part of next-generation Earth observation effort
The NASA EDGE mission will help better understand changes to the Earth's surface, creating detailed 3D maps of vegetation and ice formations. This will improve capabilities for assessing pre-fire risk and evaluating post-fire impacts in semi-arid ecosystems.
A galaxy next door is transforming, and astronomers can see it happening
The Small Magellanic Cloud's stars do not orbit around its center due to a direct collision with the Large Magellanic Cloud. The collision disrupted the SMC's internal structure and destroyed its gas rotation, making it a unique case to study galaxy evolution.
Call for papers: 10th anniversary special issue of Big Earth Data
The Big Earth Data journal is launching a special issue to reflect on its decade-long impact and showcase cutting-edge advancements in big data research. The journal focuses on Earth-related big data, emerging as a flagship platform at the intersection of Earth science, space science, information science, and sustainability science.
Review article | Towards a Global Ground-Based Earth Observatory (GGBEO): Leveraging existing systems and networks
The study presents a comprehensive roadmap for building an integrated GGBEO to meet the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and advance climate science. The system would integrate regional and global ground-based in situ and remote sensing systems, marine, and airborne observational data.
UAlbany researcher developing radio frequency interference solutions for U.S. weather satellites
Mustafa Aksoy is leading a research team to develop machine-learning algorithms to detect and remove radio frequency interference from NOAA satellite measurements. The goal is to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and climate monitoring by mitigating the impact of RFI.
Chemical evidence of ancient life detected in 3.3 billion-year-old rocks: Carnegie Science / PNAS
A team of scientists has discovered chemical evidence of ancient life in 3.3 billion-year-old rocks, doubling the window of time for detecting organic molecules that reveal information about original organisms. The study also found molecular signs of photosynthesis dating back over 800 million years earlier than previously documented.
University of Houston researcher and international team expose weakness in bridges worldwide
A study of 744 bridges worldwide reveals that North American and African bridges are most at risk, with spaceborne monitoring able to detect problems before they become disasters. The proposed solution integrates satellite data into risk frameworks to significantly lower the number of high-risk bridges.
NYUAD scientists use AI to forecast harmful solar winds days in advance
Scientists at NYU Abu Dhabi create an AI model that forecasts solar wind speeds up to four days in advance, improving accuracy by 45% compared to current methods. The breakthrough helps protect satellites and power grids from disruptions caused by space weather events.
First observations by the Total Anthropogenic and Natural emissions mapping SpectrOmeter-3 (TANSO-3) onboard the Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle “IBUKI GW” (GOSAT-GW)
The GOSAT-GW satellite has successfully launched with the TANSO-3 sensor, confirming its proper operation. The first observation by TANSO-3 provided spectral absorption data for carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen dioxide, enabling the calculation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
China's 30-meter landsat composites: a new era in earth observation
The new dataset provides a high-quality, readily available resource for researchers to streamline environmental monitoring and land use analysis in China. It addresses major challenges like cloud cover, sensor inconsistencies, and data gaps, offering a reliable, seamless dataset for large-scale analyses and informed decision-making.
Researchers discover likely site of new planet in formation
Researchers have discovered a likely site of a new planet in formation using the European Southern Observatory's VLT. The disk, which extends 130 astronomical units from its parent star, shows a bright ring and spiral arms.
AMS science preview: Heat stress and height, eclipse effects
Researchers have discovered that urban areas experience a greater difference in wet bulb globe temperature between 0.5 m and 1.5 m above ground due to surface heat radiation, posing health risks to children and pets during extreme heat events. Total solar eclipses also alter atmospheric conditions and insect behavior, with some species...
All of the biggest U.S. cities are sinking
A new study reveals that 25 of the 28 most populous US cities are sinking, with some areas subsiding at rates of over 5 millimeters per year. The primary cause is massive ongoing groundwater extraction, which can lead to stresses on infrastructure and buildings.
NRL’s Narrow Field Imager captures first light
The NRL's Narrow Field Imager (NFI) has captured its first light images, primarily focused on calibrating the instrument and confirming pointing accuracy. The NFI will enable scientists to study the Sun's corona in unprecedented detail, helping to understand and predict coronal mass ejections.
Earth observation and advanced modelling to improve climate predictions: The CONCERTO Project is launched
The CONCERTO Project aims to advance the understanding and modelling of the terrestrial carbon cycle, reducing uncertainty in climate predictions. By integrating Earth observation data and innovative models, the project will contribute to improved climate policy and global efforts towards carbon neutrality.
NRL's narrow field imager launches on NASA's PUNCH mission
The NRL-developed Narrow Field Imager is a compact coronagraph that will image the transition of the Sun's atmosphere to the solar wind, gaining insights into space plasma environments. The PUNCH mission aims to improve prediction and mitigation of space weather events like coronal mass ejections.
Bark beetle infestation slows down tree growth early on
A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland found that bark beetle infestation can slow down tree growth even before visible signs of mortality appear. The researchers used dendrometer measurements to monitor stem diameter variation in healthy and infested spruce trees.
Melting glaciers increase loss of freshwater resources and rise global sea levels
Global glacier mass loss has increased by 36% since 2000, with 6,542 billion tons lost between 2000 and 2023. This results in an 18 mm annual contribution to global sea-level rise, making glaciers the second-largest contributor after ocean warming.
Global sea level very likely to rise between 0.5 and 1.9 meters by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario, finds NTU Singapore-led study using new projection method
A new study projects global sea-level rise between 0.5 and 1.9 meters by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario, with the very likely range being 90% probability for the event to occur. The fusion approach combines strengths of existing models with expert opinions, offering a clearer picture of future sea-level rise.
Innovation in land use and land cover classification for landslide analysis
A new method combining Random Forest and Compound Maximum a Posteriori algorithms reduces invalid transitions and improves LULC classification, correcting 99.92 km2 of errors. The study outperforms traditional methods, especially in detecting changes in mountainous regions.
Will the Ross Ice Shelf melt? International team launches second attempt to drill for Antarctic climate clues
A team of scientists, including Binghamton University's Molly Patterson, is drilling into the Ross Ice Shelf to retrieve geological records and gain insights into the ice sheet's response to global warming. The project aims to provide crucial data for adapting to sea-level rise and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
LIST and UNHCR to launch early warning system for emergencies
The new system uses AI technology combined with Earth observation data to detect risks of events that might trigger forced displacement, delivering timely alerts ahead of emergencies. It will help humanitarian actors plan and respond more effectively, minimizing response times and avoiding duplication of efforts.
Deep ocean clues to a million-year-old ice age puzzle revealed in new study
A recent study provides fresh insights into the ocean's role in climate during the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, a period of change that began about one million years ago. The research suggests that changes in the deep ocean played an equally important but nuanced role in driving climate cycles.
DTU Researchers discover one of the fastest-spinning stars in the Universe
Researchers from DTU have discovered a neutron star that rotates at an astonishing 716 times per second, making it one of the fastest-spinning objects ever observed. The neutron star is part of an X-ray binary star system and is located in the Sagittarius constellation.
Major Northern Indigenous Knowledge hub and databases launched, documenting local observations and knowledge of the Arctic
The new hubs and databases document past environmental events experienced by Arctic societies and provide a more complete picture of past change. They also present contemporary weather and ecological monitoring, cultural indicators, and oral histories to establish baselines of change in the Arctic environment.
Lightning strikes kick off a game of electron pinball in space
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered a link between lightning storms on Earth and high-energy electrons in space. The team found that lightning strikes can knock these 'killer electrons' out of the inner radiation belt, which could pose a threat to satellites and astronauts.
Researchers explore novel approach to map forest dieback in satellite images
Researchers developed DIAMANTE, a data-centric semantic segmentation approach to detect forest tree dieback events in satellite images. The approach trains a U-Net-like model on labelled remote-sensing datasets and achieves reasonable accuracy for early disease detection, reducing false alarms.
STRIVE project to study ozone, atmospheric layers among finalists for next-generation NASA satellite
The University of Washington's STRIVE project aims to understand the troposphere and stratosphere, where the ozone layer resides, and their interface. This will help monitor changes in the ozone layer, air quality, and climate processes.
PolyU harnesses GeoAI technologies to enable sustainable urban development
Researchers at PolyU are using GeoAI to monitor and analyze environmental changes, detect disaster-damaged buildings, and optimize traffic flow. The technology has the potential to support sustainable urban development and improve public health.
Africa’s iconic flamingos threatened by rising lake levels, study shows
Rising water levels in East Africa's soda lakes are reducing the main food source for lesser flamingos, leading to declining populations. The birds may be pushed into new unprotected areas in search of food, threatening their survival.
Going ‘back to the future’ to forecast the fate of a dead Florida coral reef
Researchers reconstructed a Late Holocene-aged subfossil coral death assemblage and compared it to modern reefs in Southeast Florida. The study reveals significant differences in coral composition between the two periods, suggesting that modern reefs may not be able to support range expansions of temperature-sensitive species.
Earth as a test object
The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, tested the future LIFE mission's capabilities on real spectra using data from NASA's Aqua Earth observation satellite. It demonstrated that a space telescope like LIFE could detect signs of a temperate, habitable world on Earth-like exoplanets.
New investment in seismic monitoring facility at University of Leicester
SEIS-UK, a seismic monitoring facility at University of Leicester, has received £2 million funding over 7 years to continue providing state-of-the-art equipment to UK researchers and their global collaborators. This investment supports high-quality research in earth and environmental sciences.
Sedimentary records of contaminant inputs in Frobisher Bay, Nunavut
Research in Frobisher Bay, Nunavut, reveals both local source and long-range transport impacts on marine sediment contaminant levels. Local activities like construction and airport operations contributed to pollutant inputs, while legacy military sites and fossil fuel burning also played a role.
Integrated design of Global Ocean Observing System essential to monitor climate change
The study found that different instrumental systems in the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) complement each other and are essential for accurately monitoring ocean warming. The GOOS, which includes platforms such as free drifting instrumented floats, mooring buoys, and autonomous pinniped data, provides a comprehensive view of ocea...
£1.5m funding to create ‘Digital Twin’ model to reduce methane emissions
The project aims to create a digital twin of the world's wetlands using satellite data, mathematical models, and artificial intelligence to monitor and reduce methane emissions. Dr Robert Parker from the University of Leicester will lead the project as one of 75 new Future Leaders Fellows.
Air Force awards UTEP Grant to safeguard assets in space
The University of Texas at El Paso is leading a research effort to detect and study Unresolved Resident Space Objects (URSOs) using spectroscopy. The team aims to extract properties such as material composition and structural health to monitor the health of government-owned and commercial space assets.
New remote sensing dataset improves global land change tracking
Researchers created a large-scale remote sensing annotation dataset to support Earth observation research and monitor global land cover changes. The Globe230k dataset provides new insights into the dynamic monitoring of global land cover, enabling high-level semantic understanding of land use.
In many major crop regions, workers plant and harvest in spiraling heat and humidity
A global study reveals that farmworkers in major crop regions are facing increasing exposure to extreme heat and humidity, which can impair their ability to function. The most affected crops are rice and maize, with nearly half of the world's rice cropland already experiencing extreme conditions during the planting and harvest seasons.
News release: Singapore’s coasts are historically more resilient against sea-level rise than previously thought, find NTU Singapore researchers
Researchers found that Singapore's coasts were resilient during high sea-level rise rates due to high sedimentation rates. This study provides new insights into the interplay between rising sea levels and sedimentation.
Over 40 percent of Antarctica’s ice shelves reduced in volume over 25 years
Over 71 of Antarctica's 162 ice shelves have reduced in volume over the past 25 years, with a net release of 7.5 trillion tonnes of meltwater into the oceans. The western side of Antarctica experienced significant ice loss, while the eastern side remained relatively stable.
A global observatory to monitor Earth's biodiversity
A new global observatory is needed to guide conservation efforts due to unprecedented biodiversity loss. The Global Biodiversity Observing System (GBIOS) aims to combine technology and data from around the world to foster collaboration and share urgently needed data.
Coral reefs, marshes, and mangroves might be destroyed within 30 years from rising sea levels, finds international group of scientists
A team of international scientists found that coral reefs, marshes, and mangroves could be destroyed within the next 30 years from rising sea levels. Coastal habitats are essential for protecting coastlines, trapping carbon, and supporting millions of coastal residents.
A global observatory to monitor Earth's biodiversity
A new global biodiversity observing system (GBIOS) is proposed to combine technology, data, and knowledge from around the world to monitor biodiversity change and target conservation action. The system can provide the information needed at the pace required to support countries in achieving their biodiversity goals.
New algorithm ensnares its first ‘potentially hazardous’ asteroid
A team of researchers has successfully tested a new asteroid detection algorithm, HelioLinc3D, which identified its first 'potentially hazardous' asteroid, 2022 SF289. The discovery confirms the algorithm's effectiveness in finding near-Earth asteroids with fewer and more dispersed observations than traditional methods.
Scientists unearth 20 million years of ‘hot spot’ magmatism under Cocos plate
Researchers have found evidence of 20 million years of 'hot spot' magmatism under the Cocos plate, with a long-lived melt channel that originated from a mantle plume. The study suggests that this channel is regionally extensive and may be a widespread source for intraplate magmatism.
Astronomers discover supernova explosion through rare ‘cosmic magnifying glasses’
Researchers discovered a gravitationally lensed supernova named SN Zwicky, which was magnified nearly 25 times by a foreground galaxy. This discovery presents an opportunity to study the inner cores of galaxies, dark matter, and the mechanics behind universe expansion.
River erosion can shape fish evolution, study suggests
A study suggests that river erosion can drive biodiversity in geologically quiet environments, such as the Appalachian Mountains. The research found that changing landscapes pushed a species of fish into different tributaries, leading to distinct genetic lineages.
A new tool for deforestation detection
Researchers developed a method to detect forest disturbance by combining strengths from time-series algorithms and 2-date detection methods. The new technique facilitates more effective forest management and policy.
New deal inked to space test meta-optical surfaces
The European Space Agency has commissioned an engineering study to test the reliability of meta-optical elements in space. The collaboration aims to advance remote sensing systems while overcoming size and weight constraints, enabling innovative applications for Earth observation data.
Chinese Medical Journal compares the incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms in China and the USA
The study revealed lower age-standardized rate of NENs incidence in China (1.14 per 100,000) compared to the USA (6.26 per 100,000). The most common sites for primary NEN tumors progressed were found to be the pancreas, stomach, lungs, and rectum.
Scientists detect seismic waves traveling through Martian core for the first time
Researchers used NASA InSight data to directly measure Mars' core properties, finding a completely liquid iron-alloy core with high percentages of sulfur and oxygen. This discovery provides new insights into Martian formation and geological differences between Earth and Mars, potentially impacting planetary habitability.
Warming climate will affect streamflow in the northeast
A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.
Critical observations of sinking coasts
A team led by Virginia Tech's Manoochehr Shirzaei has developed high-resolution digital maps to monitor land subsidence and sea-level rise, revealing vulnerable areas along the Atlantic East Coast. The data supports flood risk management and informs climate change projections, helping to refine models for hurricanes and storms.
Warm liquid spewing from Oregon seafloor comes from Cascadia fault, could offer clues to earthquake hazards
Researchers have discovered a unique underwater spring in the Pacific Northwest that could provide insights into earthquake hazards. The Pythia's Oasis seep is sourced from water 2.5 miles beneath the seafloor at the plate boundary, regulating stress on the offshore fault.
Earth Map works in tandem with its users to achieve a more conscious, climate-aware and environmental-friendly world
Earth Map provides users with intuitive remote sensing data and enables a broader range of actors to take an active role in monitoring lands impacted by human activities. The tool aims to inform decision-makers about the current state of climate and resource management, driving meaningful policy changes and sustainable livelihoods.