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The Surveyor III camera, whi
…
11/20/69
| Date |
11/20/69 |
| Description |
The Surveyor III camera, which was once white, is covered in fine lunar dust. The unmanned Surveyor was photographed during the Apollo 12 second extravehicular activity (EVA-2) on the surface of the Moon. The Apollo 12 Lunar Module, landed within 600 feet of Surveyor III in the Ocean of Storms. The television camera and several other pieces were taken from Surveyor III and brought back to Earth for scientific examination. |
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Mariner 4 was launched Novem
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| Description |
Mariner 4 was launched November 28, 1964 on a 228-day mission to Mars. The spacecraft carried instruments for eight interplanetary and planetary experiments including a TV camera. Mariner 4 passed Mars at a distance of 9,868 kilometers (6,118 miles), recording and transmitting to Earth our first close-up picture of the red planet. In 21 and a fraction of a 22nd picture, Mariner's TV camera scanned about one percent of the Martian surface, revealing ancient craters of varying size. Planetary science data, including pictures, were trasmitted over distances ranging from 215 million to 240 kilometers (134 million to 150 million miles). |
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Space Infrared Telescope Fac
…
In this artist's rendition,
…
| Description |
In this artist's rendition, SIRTF is seen in its Earth-trailing orbit around the Sun. This innovative orbit produces many advantages, from a more benign thermal environment for the super- cooled detectors, to a better view of the open sky, away from the Earth and the Moon. |
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This is an example concept f
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| Description |
This is an example concept for an Outer Solar System Flyby Second-Generation Microspacecraft. In this concept, the spacecraft autonomously provides imaging and imaging spectroscopy of objects in the outer solar system for spacecraft solar ranges of 3 to 39 AU and Earth ranges up to 38 AU. Estimated spacecraft wet mass, launch configuration size, and load power are, respectively, 8.4 kg, 46-cm diameter x 30-cm, and 0.1 to 15 W (depending on operating state). In this mass regime, missions to the outer solar system with relatively short trip times appear possible using relatively small launch vehicles with appropriate upper stages. Unlike the other example SGM, this spacecraft spends most of its time in cruise in a "hibernation" state in which only a clock/timer is operating and electrical power is being stored. Also, since communications rates are low and operating periods are limited, more on-board data analysis is utilized, particularly for long-range targets, than in the other example SGM concepts. Developed in 1993-1995, a vision, approach, and example system concepts for Second-Generation Microspacecraft (SGM) have the intent of helping enable NASA's paradigm shift to less expensive, better, faster missions. Envisioned is a future in which a significant number of missions can be carried out with SGM that have low life-cycle cost, provide high return on investment, allow frequent flight, and contribute to innovation in technology. Key elements of the approach to realizing this vision include reducing spacecraft resource requirements and complexity, minimizing spacecraft size and mass, using production "core" building blocks and extensive spacecraft autonomy, and eliminating non-cost-effective redundancy. The first element of the approach also implies targeting appropriate, focused missions and payloads, using on-board analysis and data compression, minimizing spacecraft power needs, and using low-nuclear or, preferably, non-nuclear energy sources. Example spacecraft system concepts that are consistent with the approach include the Outer Solar System Flyby SGM, Near-Earth-Object Flyby SGM, Near- Earth-Object Rendezvous SGM, and Space Physics Fields and Particles SGM. |
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This is an example concept f
…
| Description |
This is an example concept for a Near-Earth-Object Flyby Second- Generation Microspacecraft. The spacecraft autonomously provides imaging and imaging spectroscopy of a near-Earth asteroid or comet for spacecraft solar ranges of 0.8 to 1.2 AU and Earth ranges up to 1.6 AU. Estimated spacecraft wet mass, launch configuration size, and load power are, respectively, 5.5 kg, 20 cm x 33 cm x 27 cm, and 5 to 13 W (depending on transmitter state: off or on). Developed in 1993-1995, a vision, approach, and example system concepts for Second-Generation Microspacecraft (SGM) have the intent of helping enable NASA's paradigm shift to less expensive, better, faster missions. Envisioned is a future in which a significant number of missions can be carried out with SGM that have low life-cycle cost, provide high return on investment, allow frequent flight, and contribute to innovation in technology. Key elements of the approach to realizing this vision include reducing spacecraft resource requirements and complexity, minimizing spacecraft size and mass, using production "core" building blocks and extensive spacecraft autonomy, and eliminating non-cost-effective redundancy. The first element of the approach also implies targeting appropriate, focused missions and payloads, using on-board analysis and data compression, minimizing spacecraft power needs, and using low-nuclear or, preferably, non-nuclear energy sources. Example spacecraft system concepts that are consistent with the approach include the Outer Solar System Flyby SGM, Near-Earth-Object Flyby SGM, Near- Earth-Object Rendezvous SGM, and Space Physics Fields and Particles SGM. |
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This is an example concept f
…
| Description |
This is an example concept for a Near-Earth-Object Rendezvous Second-Generation Microspacecraft. The spacecraft autonomously provides full-body imaging and imaging spectroscopy of a near- Earth asteroid or comet as well as in situ alpha/proton/x-ray measurement and gamma-ray spectroscopy. After mapping the object, the spacecraft moves closer along a radial toward the most illuminated pole of rotation, releases the surface drop package, backs away, and, after some data reduction, relays the in situ measurement data to Earth. (As with the other example SGM, no uplink is used, but this is more of a challenge in this mission class than in the other examples.) Estimated spacecraft wet mass, launch configuration size, and load power are, respectively, 7 kg, 20 cm x 35 cm x 33 cm, and 6 to 13 W (depending on transmitter state: off or on). Augmentation with a miniature propulsion stage is required (but not shown in the picture), which increases the launch mass and payload volume. Spacecraft separation from the stage is shortly after the final rendezvous burn is complete. Developed in 1993-1995, a vision, approach, and example system concepts for Second-Generation Microspacecraft (SGM) have the intent of helping enable NASA's paradigm shift to less expensive, better, faster missions. Envisioned is a future in which a significant number of missions can be carried out with SGM that have low life-cycle cost, provide high return on investment, allow frequent flight, and contribute to innovation in technology. Key elements of the approach to realizing this vision include reducing spacecraft resource requirements and complexity, minimizing spacecraft size and mass, using production "core" building blocks and extensive spacecraft autonomy, and eliminating non-cost-effective redundancy. The first element of the approach also implies targeting appropriate, focused missions and payloads, using on-board analysis and data compression, minimizing spacecraft power needs, and using low-nuclear or, preferably, non-nuclear energy sources. Example spacecraft system concepts that are consistent with the approach include the Outer Solar System Flyby SGM, Near-Earth-Object Flyby SGM, Near- Earth-Object Rendezvous SGM, and Space Physics Fields and Particles SGM. |
|
This is an example concept f
…
| Description |
This is an example concept for a Space Physics Fields and Particles Second-Generation Microspacecraft. The spacecraft autonomously provides magnetic, plasma, and plasma wave analysis of the environment for spacecraft solar ranges of 0.5 to 1.2 AU and Earth ranges up to 1.7 AU. The spacecraft also retains imaging and imaging spectroscopy capabilities. Unlike the other example SGM, this spacecraft is designed to be capable of four different mission classes without change in spacecraft hardware. These mission classes include enhanced near-Earth-object flyby, multipoint magnetospheric measurement in Earth orbit, solar warning from the L1 point, and solar early warning precursor missions at 0.5 AU solar range. Estimated spacecraft wet mass, launch configuration size, and load power are, respectively, 12 kg, 65-cm diameter x 30-cm, and 7 to 19 W (depending on operating state). Developed in 1993-1995, a vision, approach, and example system concepts for Second-Generation Microspacecraft (SGM) have the intent of helping enable NASA's paradigm shift to less expensive, better, faster missions. Envisioned is a future in which a significant number of missions can be carried out with SGM that have low life-cycle cost, provide high return on investment, allow frequent flight, and contribute to innovation in technology. Key elements of the approach to realizing this vision include reducing spacecraft resource requirements and complexity, minimizing spacecraft size and mass, using production "core" building blocks and extensive spacecraft autonomy, and eliminating non-cost-effective redundancy. The first element of the approach also implies targeting appropriate, focused missions and payloads, using on-board analysis and data compression, minimizing spacecraft power needs, and using low-nuclear or, preferably, non-nuclear energy sources. Example spacecraft system concepts that are consistent with the approach include the Outer Solar System Flyby SGM, Near-Earth-Object Flyby SGM, Near- Earth-Object Rendezvous SGM, and Space Physics Fields and Particles SGM. |
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This is the first full pictu
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| Description |
This is the first full picture showing both asteroid 243 Ida and its newly discovered moon to be transmitted to Earth from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Galileo spacecraft--the first conclusive evidence that natural satellites of asteroids exist. Ida, the large object, is about 56 kilometers (35 miles) long. Ida's natural satellite is the small object to the right. This portrait was taken by Galileo's charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on August 28, 1993, about 14 minutes before the Jupiter- bound spacecraft's closest approach to the asteroid, from a range of 10,870 kilometers (6,755 miles). Ida is a heavily cratered, irregularly shaped asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter--the 243rd asteroid to be discovered since the first was found at the beginning of the 19th century. Ida is a member of a group of asteroids called the Koronis family. The small satellite, which is about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) across in this view, has yet to be given a name by astronomers. It has been provisionally designated "1993 (243) 1" by the International Astronomical Union. ("1993" denotes the year the picture was taken, "243" the asteroid number and "1" the fact that it is the first moon of Ida to be found.) Although appearing to be "next" to Ida, the satellite is actually in the foreground, slightly closer to the spacecraft than Ida is. Combining this image with data from Galileo's near-infrared mapping spectrometer, the science team estimates that the satellite is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) away from the center of Ida. This image, which was taken through a green filter, is one of a six-frame series using different color filters. The spatial resolution in this image is about 100 meters (330 feet) per pixel. ##### |
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Star City, Russia L & C band
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This radar image shows the S
…
4/20/95
| Date |
4/20/95 |
| Description |
This radar image shows the Star City cosmonaut training center, east of Moscow, Russia. Four American astronauts are training here for future long-duration flights aboard the Russian Mir space station. These joint flights are giving NASA and the Russian Space Agency experience necessary for the construction of the international Alpha space station, beginning in late 1997. This image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR), on its 62nd orbit on October 3, 1994. This Star City image is centered at 55.55 degrees north latitude and 38.0 degrees east longitude. The area shown is approximately 32 kilometers by 49 kilometers (20 miles by 30 miles). North is to the top in this image. The radar illumination is from the top of the image. The image was produced using three channels of SIR-C radar data: red indicates L-band (23 cm wavelength, horizontally transmitted and received), green indicates L-band (horizontally transmitted and vertically received), blue indicates C-band (6 cm wavelength, horizontally transmitted and vertically received). In general, dark pink areas are agricultural, pink and light blue areas are urban communities, black areas represent lakes and rivers, dark blue areas are cleared forest, and light green areas are forested. The prominent black runways just right of center are Shchelkovo Airfield, about 4 km long. The textured pale blue-green area east and southeast of Shchelkovo Airfield is forest. Just east of the runways is a thin railroad line running southeast, the Star City compound lies just east of the small bend in the rail line. Star City contains the living quarters and training facilities for Russian cosmonauts and their families. Moscow's inner loop road is visible at the lower left edge of the image. The Kremlin is just off the left edge, on the banks of the meandering Moskva River. The Klyazma River snakes to the southeast from the reservoir in the upper left (shown in bright red), passing just east of Star City and flowing off the lower right edge of the image. The dark blue band of the Vorya River runs north-south in the upper right quadrant, east of Star City. SIR-C/X-SAR radar images are being compared with data from the Russian radar satellite Almaz to evaluate the usefulness of a permanent orbital radar platform in monitoring Earth s environment and ecology. |
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COMPARISON VIEW OF MARS CLOU
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These color and black and wh
…
| Description |
These color and black and white pictures of Mars were taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope just two weeks after Earth made its closest approach to the Red Planet during the 1997 opposition. When the Hubble pictures were taken Mars was at a distance of 62 million miles (100 million kilometers) and the resolution at the center of the disk is 13.5 miles/pixel (22 kilometers/pixel). Both images were made with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2. The color composite (left image) is constructed from three images taken in red (673 nanometers), green (502 nm) and blue (410 nm) light. The right image, in blue light only, brings out details in the cloud structure and is remarkably similar to weather satellite pictures taken of Earth. A planetary-scale wave curls around the north pole, similar in behavior to high latitude cold fronts which descend over North America and Europe during springtime. The picture was taken when Mars was near aphelion, its farthest point from the Sun. The faint sunlight results in cold atmospheric conditions which stimulate the formation of water ice clouds. The clouds themselves further reduce atmospheric temperatures. Atmospheric heating, resulting when sunlight is absorbed by the dust, is reduced when ice forms around the dust particles and causes the dust to gravitationally settle to the ground. These images of Mars are centered at approximately 94 degrees longitude and 23 degrees N latitude (oriented with north up). The four largest Tharsis Montes (massive extinct volcanoes) are visible as dark spots extending through the clouds. The vast canyon system, Valles Marineris, stretches across the eastern (lower right) half of the image, the Pathfinder landing site is near the eastern edge of the image. It is early summer in the northern hemisphere, and the North polar cap has retreated to about 80 degrees N latitude, the "residual" summer cap, which is composed of water ice, is about one-third the size of the "seasonal" winter cap, which consists mostly of carbon-dioxide frost (dry ice) condensed on the surface. The polar cap is surrounded by a "sand sea" made up of dark sand dunes. A distinct belt of water-ice clouds extends over much of this hemisphere. Credit: Phil James (Univ. Toledo), Todd Clancy (Space Science Inst., Boulder, CO), Steve Lee (Univ. Colorado), and NASA Image files in GIF and JPEG format and captions may be accessed on the Internet via anonymous ftp from oposite.stsci.edu in /pubinfo. GIF JPEG PRC97-15a Mars Clouds gif/marsbwc.gif jpeg/marsbwc.jpg Higher resolution digital versions (300 dpi JPEG) of the release photographs are available in /pubinfo/hrtemp: 97-15a.jpg (color). GIF and JPEG images, captions and press release text are available via World Wide Web at http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/PR/97/15.html and via links in: http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/Latest.html or http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/Pictures.html. |
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Stardust will use a unique m
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| Description |
Stardust will use a unique medium called aerogel to capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of comet Wild 2 in January 2004, plus collect interstellar dust for later analysis. The collected samples will return to Earth in January 2006. |
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Terrestrial Planet Finder
The Terrestrial Planet Finde
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| Description |
The Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) will study all aspects of planets: from their formation and development in disks of dust and gas around newly forming stars to the presence and features of those planets orbiting the nearest stars, from the numbers at various sizes, and places to their suitability as an abode for life. By combining the high sensitivity of space telescopes with the sharply detailed pictures from an interferometer, TPF will be able to reduce the glare of parent stars by a factor of more than one hundred-thousand to see planetary systems as far away as 50 light years. In addition to measuring the size, temperature, and placing of planets as small as the Earth in the habitable zones of distant solar systems, TPF's spectroscopy will allow atmospheric chemists and biologists to use the relative amounts of gasses like carbon dioxide, water vapor, ozone and methane to find whether a planet someday could or even now does support life. |
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Six Annotated Datasets Pull
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| Title |
Six Annotated Datasets Pull Away from a Single Globe |
| Completed |
1999-11-10 |
|
Aerosols from Earth Probe TO
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| Title |
Aerosols from Earth Probe TOMS: Still of U.S. and Mexico taken at 5/16/98 |
| Completed |
1998-12-07 |
|
ICESat First Light Release:
…
| Title |
ICESat First Light Release: A Global Perspective |
| Abstract |
Criss-crossing the world below at nearly 17,000 miles per hour, ICESat is measuring the Earth from space with unprecedented accuracy. ICESAT measures the Earth by shining pulses of green and infrared light from one of its three onboard lasers. Although the major goal of ICESAT's mission is to observe ice near the poles, the satellite takes measurements continuously around the entire globe, providing valuable information about our planet's clouds, oceans, mountains, forests, and fields. |
| Completed |
2003-05-15 |
|
ICESat First Light Release:
…
| Title |
ICESat First Light Release: A Global Perspective |
| Abstract |
Criss-crossing the world below at nearly 17,000 miles per hour, ICESat is measuring the Earth from space with unprecedented accuracy. ICESAT measures the Earth by shining pulses of green and infrared light from one of its three onboard lasers. Although the major goal of ICESAT's mission is to observe ice near the poles, the satellite takes measurements continuously around the entire globe, providing valuable information about our planet's clouds, oceans, mountains, forests, and fields. |
| Completed |
2003-05-15 |
|
ICESat First Light Release:
…
| Title |
ICESat First Light Release: A Global Perspective |
| Abstract |
Criss-crossing the world below at nearly 17,000 miles per hour, ICESat is measuring the Earth from space with unprecedented accuracy. ICESAT measures the Earth by shining pulses of green and infrared light from one of its three onboard lasers. Although the major goal of ICESAT's mission is to observe ice near the poles, the satellite takes measurements continuously around the entire globe, providing valuable information about our planet's clouds, oceans, mountains, forests, and fields. |
| Completed |
2003-05-15 |
|
Deforestation of Rondonia, B
…
| Title |
Deforestation of Rondonia, Brazil, from 1975 to 2001 |
| Abstract |
Throughout much of the 1980s, deforestation in Brazil eliminated more than 15,000 square kilometers (9000 square miles) per year. That pace has only increased through the 90s and into the 21st century. Brazil is also home to more than a quarter of Earth's tropical forests. Considering that the band of lush green that circles the globe through many equatorial nations is fundamental to the overall health of the whole planet's environment, careful monitoring of forest health in the tropics is essential. Tropical forests act as major carbon 'sinks', places where ambient carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be absorbed by growing things and sequestered for years. Definitive evidence shows that excess carbon dioxide can contribute to the greenhouse effect and speed global warming. Similarly, tropical forests also act as a primary producer of oxygen. In the respiration process that absorbs gaseous carbon dioxide, trees and other plants give off oxygen. It is for these and a host of other reasons why scientists and policy makers need to monitor and forestall wholesale deforestation. This sequence shows how profligate clear cutting can influence that trust. Data gathered over time by several in the Landsat series of spacecraft shows enormous tracts of forest disappearing in Rondonia, Brazil. This territory underwent an enormous rise in population towards the end of the twentieth century, buoyed by cheap land offered by the national government for agricultural use. As you see the visualization progress, it is useful to note how the human phenomenon of deforestation generally works, especially in the dense tropical forests of Brazil. Systematic cutting of a road opens new territory to potential deforestation by penetrating into new areas. Clearing of vegetation along the sides of those roads tends to fan out to create a pattern akin to a fish skeleton. As new paths appear in the woods, new areas become vulnerable. The spaces between the 'skeletal bones' fall to defoliation, and another inch of the Earth's biological rudder is no longer reliably steering the planet into the future. |
| Completed |
2001-04-19 |
|
Deforestation of Rondonia, B
…
| Title |
Deforestation of Rondonia, Brazil, from 1975 to 2001 |
| Abstract |
Throughout much of the 1980s, deforestation in Brazil eliminated more than 15,000 square kilometers (9000 square miles) per year. That pace has only increased through the 90s and into the 21st century. Brazil is also home to more than a quarter of Earth's tropical forests. Considering that the band of lush green that circles the globe through many equatorial nations is fundamental to the overall health of the whole planet's environment, careful monitoring of forest health in the tropics is essential. Tropical forests act as major carbon 'sinks', places where ambient carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be absorbed by growing things and sequestered for years. Definitive evidence shows that excess carbon dioxide can contribute to the greenhouse effect and speed global warming. Similarly, tropical forests also act as a primary producer of oxygen. In the respiration process that absorbs gaseous carbon dioxide, trees and other plants give off oxygen. It is for these and a host of other reasons why scientists and policy makers need to monitor and forestall wholesale deforestation. This sequence shows how profligate clear cutting can influence that trust. Data gathered over time by several in the Landsat series of spacecraft shows enormous tracts of forest disappearing in Rondonia, Brazil. This territory underwent an enormous rise in population towards the end of the twentieth century, buoyed by cheap land offered by the national government for agricultural use. As you see the visualization progress, it is useful to note how the human phenomenon of deforestation generally works, especially in the dense tropical forests of Brazil. Systematic cutting of a road opens new territory to potential deforestation by penetrating into new areas. Clearing of vegetation along the sides of those roads tends to fan out to create a pattern akin to a fish skeleton. As new paths appear in the woods, new areas become vulnerable. The spaces between the 'skeletal bones' fall to defoliation, and another inch of the Earth's biological rudder is no longer reliably steering the planet into the future. |
| Completed |
2001-04-19 |
|
Deforestation of Rondonia, B
…
| Title |
Deforestation of Rondonia, Brazil, from 1975 to 2001 |
| Abstract |
Throughout much of the 1980s, deforestation in Brazil eliminated more than 15,000 square kilometers (9000 square miles) per year. That pace has only increased through the 90s and into the 21st century. Brazil is also home to more than a quarter of Earth's tropical forests. Considering that the band of lush green that circles the globe through many equatorial nations is fundamental to the overall health of the whole planet's environment, careful monitoring of forest health in the tropics is essential. Tropical forests act as major carbon 'sinks', places where ambient carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be absorbed by growing things and sequestered for years. Definitive evidence shows that excess carbon dioxide can contribute to the greenhouse effect and speed global warming. Similarly, tropical forests also act as a primary producer of oxygen. In the respiration process that absorbs gaseous carbon dioxide, trees and other plants give off oxygen. It is for these and a host of other reasons why scientists and policy makers need to monitor and forestall wholesale deforestation. This sequence shows how profligate clear cutting can influence that trust. Data gathered over time by several in the Landsat series of spacecraft shows enormous tracts of forest disappearing in Rondonia, Brazil. This territory underwent an enormous rise in population towards the end of the twentieth century, buoyed by cheap land offered by the national government for agricultural use. As you see the visualization progress, it is useful to note how the human phenomenon of deforestation generally works, especially in the dense tropical forests of Brazil. Systematic cutting of a road opens new territory to potential deforestation by penetrating into new areas. Clearing of vegetation along the sides of those roads tends to fan out to create a pattern akin to a fish skeleton. As new paths appear in the woods, new areas become vulnerable. The spaces between the 'skeletal bones' fall to defoliation, and another inch of the Earth's biological rudder is no longer reliably steering the planet into the future. |
| Completed |
2001-04-19 |
|
Deforestation of Rondonia, B
…
| Title |
Deforestation of Rondonia, Brazil, from 1975 to 2001 |
| Abstract |
Throughout much of the 1980s, deforestation in Brazil eliminated more than 15,000 square kilometers (9000 square miles) per year. That pace has only increased through the 90s and into the 21st century. Brazil is also home to more than a quarter of Earth's tropical forests. Considering that the band of lush green that circles the globe through many equatorial nations is fundamental to the overall health of the whole planet's environment, careful monitoring of forest health in the tropics is essential. Tropical forests act as major carbon 'sinks', places where ambient carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be absorbed by growing things and sequestered for years. Definitive evidence shows that excess carbon dioxide can contribute to the greenhouse effect and speed global warming. Similarly, tropical forests also act as a primary producer of oxygen. In the respiration process that absorbs gaseous carbon dioxide, trees and other plants give off oxygen. It is for these and a host of other reasons why scientists and policy makers need to monitor and forestall wholesale deforestation. This sequence shows how profligate clear cutting can influence that trust. Data gathered over time by several in the Landsat series of spacecraft shows enormous tracts of forest disappearing in Rondonia, Brazil. This territory underwent an enormous rise in population towards the end of the twentieth century, buoyed by cheap land offered by the national government for agricultural use. As you see the visualization progress, it is useful to note how the human phenomenon of deforestation generally works, especially in the dense tropical forests of Brazil. Systematic cutting of a road opens new territory to potential deforestation by penetrating into new areas. Clearing of vegetation along the sides of those roads tends to fan out to create a pattern akin to a fish skeleton. As new paths appear in the woods, new areas become vulnerable. The spaces between the 'skeletal bones' fall to defoliation, and another inch of the Earth's biological rudder is no longer reliably steering the planet into the future. |
| Completed |
2001-04-19 |
|
Deforestation of Rondonia, B
…
| Title |
Deforestation of Rondonia, Brazil, from 1975 to 2001 |
| Abstract |
Throughout much of the 1980s, deforestation in Brazil eliminated more than 15,000 square kilometers (9000 square miles) per year. That pace has only increased through the 90s and into the 21st century. Brazil is also home to more than a quarter of Earth's tropical forests. Considering that the band of lush green that circles the globe through many equatorial nations is fundamental to the overall health of the whole planet's environment, careful monitoring of forest health in the tropics is essential. Tropical forests act as major carbon 'sinks', places where ambient carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be absorbed by growing things and sequestered for years. Definitive evidence shows that excess carbon dioxide can contribute to the greenhouse effect and speed global warming. Similarly, tropical forests also act as a primary producer of oxygen. In the respiration process that absorbs gaseous carbon dioxide, trees and other plants give off oxygen. It is for these and a host of other reasons why scientists and policy makers need to monitor and forestall wholesale deforestation. This sequence shows how profligate clear cutting can influence that trust. Data gathered over time by several in the Landsat series of spacecraft shows enormous tracts of forest disappearing in Rondonia, Brazil. This territory underwent an enormous rise in population towards the end of the twentieth century, buoyed by cheap land offered by the national government for agricultural use. As you see the visualization progress, it is useful to note how the human phenomenon of deforestation generally works, especially in the dense tropical forests of Brazil. Systematic cutting of a road opens new territory to potential deforestation by penetrating into new areas. Clearing of vegetation along the sides of those roads tends to fan out to create a pattern akin to a fish skeleton. As new paths appear in the woods, new areas become vulnerable. The spaces between the 'skeletal bones' fall to defoliation, and another inch of the Earth's biological rudder is no longer reliably steering the planet into the future. |
| Completed |
2001-04-19 |
|
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induc
…
| Title |
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induced TEC enhancement - April 2001 (Version 2) |
| Abstract |
Space weather events which disturb the plasmapause (displayed here as a green surface enclosing the Earth) can propagate down to the Earth's ionosphere. There they enhance the ionosphere electron content which can disrupt radio signals from satellites. This movie is a variation on animation ID 3311 with slightly different camera motions. |
| Completed |
2005-11-18 |
|
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induc
…
| Title |
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induced TEC enhancement - April 2001 (Version 2) |
| Abstract |
Space weather events which disturb the plasmapause (displayed here as a green surface enclosing the Earth) can propagate down to the Earth's ionosphere. There they enhance the ionosphere electron content which can disrupt radio signals from satellites. This movie is a variation on animation ID 3311 with slightly different camera motions. |
| Completed |
2005-11-18 |
|
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induc
…
| Title |
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induced TEC enhancement - April 2001 (Version 2) |
| Abstract |
Space weather events which disturb the plasmapause (displayed here as a green surface enclosing the Earth) can propagate down to the Earth's ionosphere. There they enhance the ionosphere electron content which can disrupt radio signals from satellites. This movie is a variation on animation ID 3311 with slightly different camera motions. |
| Completed |
2005-11-18 |
|
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induc
…
| Title |
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induced TEC enhancement - April 2001 (Version 2) |
| Abstract |
Space weather events which disturb the plasmapause (displayed here as a green surface enclosing the Earth) can propagate down to the Earth's ionosphere. There they enhance the ionosphere electron content which can disrupt radio signals from satellites. This movie is a variation on animation ID 3311 with slightly different camera motions. |
| Completed |
2005-11-18 |
|
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induc
…
| Title |
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induced TEC enhancement - April 2001 (Version 2) |
| Abstract |
Space weather events which disturb the plasmapause (displayed here as a green surface enclosing the Earth) can propagate down to the Earth's ionosphere. There they enhance the ionosphere electron content which can disrupt radio signals from satellites. This movie is a variation on animation ID 3311 with slightly different camera motions. |
| Completed |
2005-11-18 |
|
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induc
…
| Title |
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induced TEC enhancement - April 2001 (Version 2) |
| Abstract |
Space weather events which disturb the plasmapause (displayed here as a green surface enclosing the Earth) can propagate down to the Earth's ionosphere. There they enhance the ionosphere electron content which can disrupt radio signals from satellites. This movie is a variation on animation ID 3311 with slightly different camera motions. |
| Completed |
2005-11-18 |
|
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induc
…
| Title |
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induced TEC enhancement - April 2001 (Version 2) |
| Abstract |
Space weather events which disturb the plasmapause (displayed here as a green surface enclosing the Earth) can propagate down to the Earth's ionosphere. There they enhance the ionosphere electron content which can disrupt radio signals from satellites. This movie is a variation on animation ID 3311 with slightly different camera motions. |
| Completed |
2005-11-18 |
|
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induc
…
| Title |
Zoom-in to plasmapause-induced TEC enhancement - April 2001 (Version 2) |
| Abstract |
Space weather events which disturb the plasmapause (displayed here as a green surface enclosing the Earth) can propagate down to the Earth's ionosphere. There they enhance the ionosphere electron content which can disrupt radio signals from satellites. This movie is a variation on animation ID 3311 with slightly different camera motions. |
| Completed |
2005-11-18 |
|
Wind Anomalies during El Nin
…
| Title |
Wind Anomalies during El Nino/La Nina Event of 1997-1998 (WMS) |
| Abstract |
The El Nino/La Nina event in 1997-1999 was particularly intense, but was also very well observed by satellites and buoys. Deviations from normal winds speeds and directions of the were computed using data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSMI) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. |
| Completed |
2005-06-01 |
|
Wind Anomalies during El Nin
…
| Title |
Wind Anomalies during El Nino/La Nina Event of 1997-1998 (WMS) |
| Abstract |
The El Nino/La Nina event in 1997-1999 was particularly intense, but was also very well observed by satellites and buoys. Deviations from normal winds speeds and directions of the were computed using data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSMI) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. |
| Completed |
2005-06-01 |
|
2005 Sea Ice over the Arctic
…
| Title |
2005 Sea Ice over the Arctic derived from AMSR-E |
| Abstract |
This animation shows the Spring retreat and subsequent Autumn advance of sea ice over the Arctic from 1/1/2005 through 12/31/2005. The false color of the sea ice, derived from the AMSR-E 6.25 km brightness temperature, was designed to highlight the fissures in the sea ice. Moving 3-day minimum brightness temperatures provide a background for smooth ice movement over which the actual daily brightness temperatures were mapped for definition of the ice structures. The sea ice extent was defined by a 3-day moving average of the AMSR-E 12.5 km sea ice concentration, showing as ice all areas having a sea ice concentration greater than 15%. |
| Completed |
2006-01-23 |
|
2005 Sea Ice over the Arctic
…
| Title |
2005 Sea Ice over the Arctic derived from AMSR-E |
| Abstract |
This animation shows the Spring retreat and subsequent Autumn advance of sea ice over the Arctic from 1/1/2005 through 12/31/2005. The false color of the sea ice, derived from the AMSR-E 6.25 km brightness temperature, was designed to highlight the fissures in the sea ice. Moving 3-day minimum brightness temperatures provide a background for smooth ice movement over which the actual daily brightness temperatures were mapped for definition of the ice structures. The sea ice extent was defined by a 3-day moving average of the AMSR-E 12.5 km sea ice concentration, showing as ice all areas having a sea ice concentration greater than 15%. |
| Completed |
2006-01-23 |
|
Hurricane Ivan Rainfall Stru
…
| Title |
Hurricane Ivan Rainfall Structure with Cloud Overlay on September 16, 2004 |
| Abstract |
NASA's TRMM spacecraft is used by meteorologists to understand Hurricane Ivan. TRMM observed this view of Hurricane Ivan as the storm made landfall on September 16, 2004. The cloud cover is taken by TRMM's Visible and Infrared Scanner(VIRS). The rain structure is taken by TRMM's Tropical Microwave Imager (TMI). It looks underneath of the storm's clouds to reveal the underlying rain structure. Blue represents areas with at least 0.25 inches of rain per hour. Green shows at least 0.5 inches of rain per hour. Yellow is at least 1.0 inches of rain and red is at least 2.0 inches of rain per hour. |
| Completed |
2005-06-03 |
|
Hurricane Ivan Rainfall Stru
…
| Title |
Hurricane Ivan Rainfall Structure with Cloud Overlay on September 16, 2004 |
| Abstract |
NASA's TRMM spacecraft is used by meteorologists to understand Hurricane Ivan. TRMM observed this view of Hurricane Ivan as the storm made landfall on September 16, 2004. The cloud cover is taken by TRMM's Visible and Infrared Scanner(VIRS). The rain structure is taken by TRMM's Tropical Microwave Imager (TMI). It looks underneath of the storm's clouds to reveal the underlying rain structure. Blue represents areas with at least 0.25 inches of rain per hour. Green shows at least 0.5 inches of rain per hour. Yellow is at least 1.0 inches of rain and red is at least 2.0 inches of rain per hour. |
| Completed |
2005-06-03 |
|
Killer Toxic Algae Off the C
…
| Title |
Killer Toxic Algae Off the Coast of Norway |
| Abstract |
Killer Toxic Algae (chattonella) off the coast of Norway, killing 700 tons of farm-raised salmon. |
| Completed |
2001-03-25 |
|
Killer Toxic Algae Off the C
…
| Title |
Killer Toxic Algae Off the Coast of Norway |
| Abstract |
Killer Toxic Algae (chattonella) off the coast of Norway, killing 700 tons of farm-raised salmon. |
| Completed |
2001-03-25 |
|
Killer Toxic Algae Off the C
…
| Title |
Killer Toxic Algae Off the Coast of Norway |
| Abstract |
Killer Toxic Algae (chattonella) off the coast of Norway, killing 700 tons of farm-raised salmon. |
| Completed |
2001-03-25 |
|
Smoke from Eastern Australia
…
| Title |
Smoke from Eastern Australia, 1/02/2002 |
| Abstract |
The Fires in New South Wales Continue to Send Great Quantities of Smoke Across the Tasman Sea. |
| Completed |
2002-01-02 |
|
Smoke from Eastern Australia
…
| Title |
Smoke from Eastern Australia, 1/02/2002 |
| Abstract |
The Fires in New South Wales Continue to Send Great Quantities of Smoke Across the Tasman Sea. |
| Completed |
2002-01-02 |
|
Net Radiation Flux Compared
…
| Title |
Net Radiation Flux Compared to Clouds (WMS) |
| Abstract |
The Earth's climate is determined by energy transfer from the sun to the Earth's land, oceans, and atmosphere. As the Earth rotates, the sun lights up only part of the Earth at a time, and some of that incoming solar energy is reflected and some is absorbed, depending on type of area it lights. The amount of reflection and absorption is critical to the climate. An instrument named CERES orbits the Earth every 99 minutes and measures the reflected solar energy. This animation shows the net radiation flux within view of CERES during 29 orbits on June 20 and 21 of 2003. The net flux is the incoming solar flux minus the outgoing reflected (shortwave) and thermal (longwave) radiation. If the flux in a region is positive, the Earth is being warmed by the sun in that region, while cooling regions have a negative flux. It is clear from the animation that the most intensive heating occurs in ocean regions with few clouds, while the second most intense are cloud-free regions over vegetated land areas. Deserts, cloudy regions, and ice caps all reflect enough solar radiation to reduce the amount of heating. Regions of night are, of course, cooling regions because there is no incoming flux at all. |
| Completed |
2005-06-21 |
|
Net Radiation Flux Compared
…
| Title |
Net Radiation Flux Compared to Clouds (WMS) |
| Abstract |
The Earth's climate is determined by energy transfer from the sun to the Earth's land, oceans, and atmosphere. As the Earth rotates, the sun lights up only part of the Earth at a time, and some of that incoming solar energy is reflected and some is absorbed, depending on type of area it lights. The amount of reflection and absorption is critical to the climate. An instrument named CERES orbits the Earth every 99 minutes and measures the reflected solar energy. This animation shows the net radiation flux within view of CERES during 29 orbits on June 20 and 21 of 2003. The net flux is the incoming solar flux minus the outgoing reflected (shortwave) and thermal (longwave) radiation. If the flux in a region is positive, the Earth is being warmed by the sun in that region, while cooling regions have a negative flux. It is clear from the animation that the most intensive heating occurs in ocean regions with few clouds, while the second most intense are cloud-free regions over vegetated land areas. Deserts, cloudy regions, and ice caps all reflect enough solar radiation to reduce the amount of heating. Regions of night are, of course, cooling regions because there is no incoming flux at all. |
| Completed |
2005-06-21 |
|
Global Atmospheric Surface P
…
| Title |
Global Atmospheric Surface Pressure during Hurricane Frances (WMS) |
| Abstract |
The weight of the Earth's atmosphere exerts pressure on the surface of the Earth. This pressure varies from place-to-place due the variations in the Earth's surface since higher altitudes have less atmosphere above them than lower altitudes. Atmospheric pressure also varies from time-to-time due to the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun and the rotation of the Earth, causing weather. This animation shows the atmospheric surface pressure for the whole globe from September 1, 2004, through September 5, 2004, during the period of Hurricane Frances in the western Atlantic Ocean and Typhoon Songda in the western Pacific Ocean. The major changes in pressure occur over land where the surface altitude varies, but the sharp, moving low pressures areas for Frances and Songda can be clearly seen in the oceans. Since changing surface pressure areas over land are hard to see in these images due to the strong altitude variations, plots of the atmospheric surface pressure are almost never used to study the weather. A different plot, of sea-level pressure, is used instead. |
| Completed |
2005-07-25 |
|
Global Atmospheric Surface P
…
| Title |
Global Atmospheric Surface Pressure during Hurricane Frances (WMS) |
| Abstract |
The weight of the Earth's atmosphere exerts pressure on the surface of the Earth. This pressure varies from place-to-place due the variations in the Earth's surface since higher altitudes have less atmosphere above them than lower altitudes. Atmospheric pressure also varies from time-to-time due to the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun and the rotation of the Earth, causing weather. This animation shows the atmospheric surface pressure for the whole globe from September 1, 2004, through September 5, 2004, during the period of Hurricane Frances in the western Atlantic Ocean and Typhoon Songda in the western Pacific Ocean. The major changes in pressure occur over land where the surface altitude varies, but the sharp, moving low pressures areas for Frances and Songda can be clearly seen in the oceans. Since changing surface pressure areas over land are hard to see in these images due to the strong altitude variations, plots of the atmospheric surface pressure are almost never used to study the weather. A different plot, of sea-level pressure, is used instead. |
| Completed |
2005-07-25 |
|
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Q
…
| Title |
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Quality Predictions (Tight) |
| Abstract |
This visualization shows how MODIS data from NASA's Terra and Aqua spacecraft may be able to help EPA in producing air quality index forcasts. Currently, most air quality forcasts are generated from gound based measuring stations, however, these stations generally only exist in heavily populated areas. MODIS data may help EPA provide air quality forcasts over much wider areas and with higher accuracy. In this visualization, the EPA air quality data shows as the thin colored boxes sticking out from the surface. The MODIS data is represented by the colored overlay. An event that began over the northwestern US in September 2003 is shown propagating across the US and into the midwest. Notice that the movement of the air mass is evident only from the MODIS data. This version of the animation shows a narrow view of the US. This animation was inspired by a similar animation created at the Langley Research Center. |
| Completed |
2004-06-14 |
|
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Q
…
| Title |
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Quality Predictions (Tight) |
| Abstract |
This visualization shows how MODIS data from NASA's Terra and Aqua spacecraft may be able to help EPA in producing air quality index forcasts. Currently, most air quality forcasts are generated from gound based measuring stations, however, these stations generally only exist in heavily populated areas. MODIS data may help EPA provide air quality forcasts over much wider areas and with higher accuracy. In this visualization, the EPA air quality data shows as the thin colored boxes sticking out from the surface. The MODIS data is represented by the colored overlay. An event that began over the northwestern US in September 2003 is shown propagating across the US and into the midwest. Notice that the movement of the air mass is evident only from the MODIS data. This version of the animation shows a narrow view of the US. This animation was inspired by a similar animation created at the Langley Research Center. |
| Completed |
2004-06-14 |
|
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Q
…
| Title |
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Quality Predictions (Tight) |
| Abstract |
This visualization shows how MODIS data from NASA's Terra and Aqua spacecraft may be able to help EPA in producing air quality index forcasts. Currently, most air quality forcasts are generated from gound based measuring stations, however, these stations generally only exist in heavily populated areas. MODIS data may help EPA provide air quality forcasts over much wider areas and with higher accuracy. In this visualization, the EPA air quality data shows as the thin colored boxes sticking out from the surface. The MODIS data is represented by the colored overlay. An event that began over the northwestern US in September 2003 is shown propagating across the US and into the midwest. Notice that the movement of the air mass is evident only from the MODIS data. This version of the animation shows a narrow view of the US. This animation was inspired by a similar animation created at the Langley Research Center. |
| Completed |
2004-06-14 |
|
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Q
…
| Title |
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Quality Predictions (Tight) |
| Abstract |
This visualization shows how MODIS data from NASA's Terra and Aqua spacecraft may be able to help EPA in producing air quality index forcasts. Currently, most air quality forcasts are generated from gound based measuring stations, however, these stations generally only exist in heavily populated areas. MODIS data may help EPA provide air quality forcasts over much wider areas and with higher accuracy. In this visualization, the EPA air quality data shows as the thin colored boxes sticking out from the surface. The MODIS data is represented by the colored overlay. An event that began over the northwestern US in September 2003 is shown propagating across the US and into the midwest. Notice that the movement of the air mass is evident only from the MODIS data. This version of the animation shows a narrow view of the US. This animation was inspired by a similar animation created at the Langley Research Center. |
| Completed |
2004-06-14 |
|
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Q
…
| Title |
MODIS Data May Aid EPA Air Quality Predictions (Tight) |
| Abstract |
This visualization shows how MODIS data from NASA's Terra and Aqua spacecraft may be able to help EPA in producing air quality index forcasts. Currently, most air quality forcasts are generated from gound based measuring stations, however, these stations generally only exist in heavily populated areas. MODIS data may help EPA provide air quality forcasts over much wider areas and with higher accuracy. In this visualization, the EPA air quality data shows as the thin colored boxes sticking out from the surface. The MODIS data is represented by the colored overlay. An event that began over the northwestern US in September 2003 is shown propagating across the US and into the midwest. Notice that the movement of the air mass is evident only from the MODIS data. This version of the animation shows a narrow view of the US. This animation was inspired by a similar animation created at the Langley Research Center. |
| Completed |
2004-06-14 |
|
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