Category: Earth
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Commercial Space Stations on Track: NASA’s Partners Reach Key Milestones
NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) has been a become of scientific value and hope since its first module was launched in 1998, having since expanded into a football-sized behemoth large enough to be observed in detail from Earth. However, all good things come to an end, as the ISS is scheduled for “retirement” in 2031…
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When Dryness Intrudes, Floods Ensue – Environment | Weizmann Wonder Wander
In 2018, in the Indian state of Kerala, more than 400 people died in a single series of floods that displaced millions. Flooding is a regular feature of the yearly monsoon season in tropical Asia, but until now it has been difficult to predict how and when the normally heavy monsoon rainfall would ratchet up…
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Webb’s Wonders: A New Holiday Image of Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A
Just in time for the holidays, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) recently used its Near-Infrared (NIRCam) instrument to capture stunning images of the massive supernova remnant, Cassiopeia A (Cas A), comes after JWST used its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to capture its own images of Cas A earlier this year. Along with being comprised of…
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Unlocking the Ocean’s Hidden Carbon Storage Capacity
A new study to be published in Nature suggests that the ocean’s capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide is 20% higher than previously thought, at 15 gigatonnes per year. This research focused on the role of plankton in carbon transportation to the seabed. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Research reveals that oceans store 20% more carbon dioxide than…
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Human Activity Ignites Record-Breaking Heatwave
A groundbreaking study published in Environmental Research Letters examined the record-breaking June heatwave in North China, which saw temperatures exceed 40°C in Beijing for three consecutive days. The study used empirical and model-based approaches to link the heatwave to human-induced climate change. Credit: IOP Publishing A new study links North China’s historic June heatwave to…
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Climate Change’s Deep Ocean Threat
New research reveals that fire-ice, or frozen methane which is trapped as a solid under our oceans, is at risk of melting due to climate change, potentially releasing large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Using advanced seismic imaging, the team found that dissociated methane can migrate significant distances, challenging previous assumptions about its stability.…
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NASA-Led Hub for Climate Data Collaboration
Visualization of total carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere in 2021 Credit: NASA NASA’s U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center, unveiled at COP28, offers open-source data and tools to analyze and manage greenhouse gas emissions, fostering collaboration in climate change efforts. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, and other United States…
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Climate Change Could Reshape Italian Mountain Forests Forever
European forests, especially in Italy’s mountainous regions, are facing drastic changes due to the climate crisis. New research reveals a likely decrease in suitable habitats for many tree species, with some expanding. The study underscores the need for diverse tree stands and cautions against potential new risks. Further research is planned to extend these findings…
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“First Light” – NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment Captures First Images of Mesosphere
Artist’s impression of AWE mapping the properties of global mesospheric gravity waves. Credit: NASA NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) has recently captured initial images of the mesosphere from its perch on the International Space Station (ISS). AWE was installed on the Space Station on November 18, and initial commands were sent to the instrument on…
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Tectonic Clay Efficiently Traps Organic Carbon
MIT researchers have discovered that smectite, a clay mineral formed from plate tectonics, can sequester carbon effectively, influencing global climate over millennia. Their findings suggest that smectite has been instrumental in triggering past ice ages and offers potential for future climate change mitigation. Credit: SciTechDaily.com An accordion-textured clay called smectite efficiently traps organic carbon and…