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Images of Florida and Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) from 2006
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Drought in the Southern Unit
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| Title |
Drought in the Southern United States |
| Description |
Rainfall across the United States in the winter of 2005-06 has shown the classic pattern of a La Niña event. La Niña is a climate anomaly (departure from average conditions) that consists of cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) across the central and eastern Pacific and warmer-than-average SSTs over the western Pacific. Changes in the atmospheric circulation occur during La Niña events, as well. These combined ocean-atmosphere changes are likely responsible for the drought in the Southwest, the South, the central Plains, and Florida that has led to several devastating wildfires this season. This image shows where daily rainfall was above and below average in the United States between October 2005 and January 2006 compared to the eight-year average for that time frame. Places where rainfall was above average are in blue and green, while places rainfall was below average are in orange and red. The data are from the Tropical-Rainfall-Measuring-Mission-based, near-real-time, Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The Pacific Northwest (green and blue areas), especially along the coast and over the coastal ranges of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington (blue areas) received more precipitation than usual. Almost the entire rest of the country, barring New England, had below-normal rainfall. The most intense rainfall deficits (orange and red areas) include the area stretching from Texas up through the central Plains and Upper Midwest, as well as the Gulf Coast, most of Florida, and along the southern Atlantic coast. In the Southwest, the rainfall deficit added to the stress of several years of below-average rainfall. Most of Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, and central Oklahoma have received less than 25 percent of their normal rainfall for the period. The current La Niña is expected to persist for the next several months. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite was launched in November 1997. It measures rainfall over the global tropics using both passive and active sensors, including the first precipitation radar in space. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Image produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
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Hurricane Ernesto
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Hurricane Ernesto |
| Description |
Hurricane Ernesto formed in the eastern Caribbean Sea on August 24, 2006. Within a day, it had become organized enough to be classified as a tropical storm and get named as the fifth storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Ernesto. Ernesto built in power gradually as it moved westward and slightly north through the Caribbean Sea, just reaching hurricane strength on August 27 as it neared Hispaniola, the island on which the nations of Haiti and Dominican Republic are located. Ernesto was the first storm of the 2006 Atlantic season to reach hurricane strength. The storm's interaction with land robbed it of enough power to diminish it back to "tropical storm" status. Forecasts as of August 28 anticipate that Ernesto will remain at tropical storm status until after it crosses Cuba. If predictions made on August 28 hold true, the storm will travel most of the length of Cuba, then cross the Straits of Florida, possibly regaining enough power to become a hurricane again before coming ashore in southern Florida. This photo-like image was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] on the Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on August 27, 2006, at 11:50 a.m. local time (15:50 UTC). At the time of this image, Hurricane Ernesto was a well-developed storm system, but its interactions with Hispaniola had started to distort the hurricane enough to rob it of a well-defined eye. According to the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center, [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] Ernesto had sustained peak winds of around 110 kilometers per hour (65 miles per hour) at the time Aqua MODIS acquired these data. The high-resolution image provided above is provided at the full MODIS spatial resolution (level of detail) of 250 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at additional resolutions. [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/?2006239-0827/Ernesto.A2006239.1550 ] NASA image by Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] Goddard Space Flight Center. |
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Hurricane Ernesto
| Title |
Hurricane Ernesto |
| Description |
Hurricane Ernesto formed in the eastern Caribbean Sea on August 24, 2006. Within a day, it had become organized enough to be classified as a tropical storm and get named as the fifth storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Ernesto built in power gradually as it moved westward and slightly north through the Caribbean Sea, just reaching hurricane strength on August 27 as it neared Hispaniola, the island on which the nations of Haiti and Dominican Republic are located. Ernesto was the first storm of the 2006 Atlantic season to reach hurricane strength. The storm's interaction with land robbed it of enough power to diminish it back to "tropical storm" status, but predictions as of August 29 are that favorable conditions north of Cuba may allow it to re-intensify to hurricane status before it comes ashore in southern Florida. This photo-like image was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] on the Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on August 28, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. local time (18:00 UTC). Tropical Storm Ernesto at the time of this image was a well-developed storm system, but its interactions with Hispaniola and Cuba had distorted the former hurricane, disrupting its shape enough to prevent the formation of a well-defined eye. The spiral-arm cloud structure was also not as distinct as it would be in a well-developed hurricane. According to the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center, [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] Ernesto had sustained peak winds of around 65 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour) at the time Aqua MODIS acquired these data. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using data provided courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] team. |
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Hurricane Ernesto
| Title |
Hurricane Ernesto |
| Description |
Tropical Storm Ernesto formed in the eastern Caribbean Sea on August 24, 2006. Within a day, it had become organized enough to be classified as a tropical storm and get named as the fifth storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. This photo-like image of Ernesto was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] on the Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on August 30 2006, at 12:20 p.m. local time (16:20 UTC). Tropical Storm Ernesto at the time of this image was a distinctive spiral-shaped storm system, bringing rain to central Florida. According to the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center, [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] Ernesto had sustained peak winds of around 55 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour) at the time of this image. The high-resolution image provided above is provided at the full MODIS spatial resolution (level of detail) of 250 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at additional resolutions. [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/?2006242-0830/Ernesto.A2006242.1620 ] NASA image by Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] Goddard Space Flight Center. |
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Hurricane Ernesto
| Title |
Hurricane Ernesto |
| Description |
On Sunday August 27, 2006, Ernesto became the first storm of the Atlantic season to reach hurricane intensity. Ernesto did not maintain hurricane intensity for long, however, and was soon downgraded back to a tropical storm after grazing the southwestern tip of Hispaniola. Ernesto formed from an easterly wave—a low-pressure ripple in the atmosphere—that moved west across the Atlantic and into the Caribbean. After passing through the Windward Islands, the wave developed into the fifth tropical depression of the year on August 24. This series of images shows the development of the storm. The earliest image (bottom image in the trilogy) shows the storm in the southeastern Caribbean soon after it had formed. The image was taken 10:41 p.m. local time on August 24, 2006, (02:41 UTC on August 25) by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] satellite. Rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar, while those in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager. The rain rates are overlaid on infrared data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner. Scattered areas of light (blue) to moderate (green) rain and little evidence of classic hurricane organization reveal that the system was still in its early stages of development. The storm developed into Tropical Storm Ernesto the next day, when the middle image in the series was taken. As the system tracked west-northwest, it encountered southwesterly winds at higher altitudes, a pattern that tends to shear off the tops of developing storms and to prevent them from gathering strength. These winds kept the storm from gaining much strength despite warm sea surface temperatures. Warm water is the engine that drives tropical storms. When this image was taken at 7:34 a.m. local time (11:34 UTC) on August 26, Ernesto was passing south of the Dominican Republic. At that time, intense areas of rain were present within the storm (red areas). However, Ernesto still did not have a visible eye, nor a particularly well-developed circulation, the spiraling band of clouds typically associated with tropical storms and hurricanes. At that time, the National Hurricane Center [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ ], reported that Ernesto's maximum sustained winds were 74 kilometers per hour (46 miles per hour). Throughout the day, Ernesto continued to encounter high-altitude winds from the southwest that pushed the storm's top eastward, creating the elongated oval shape seen in the top image. This image was obtained at 10:24 p.m. local time on August 26 (02:24 UTC, August 27), when Ernesto was approaching Haiti. Although the center of the storm did not fall within the center of the TRMM instruments' fields of view, the rainfall pattern confirms that high-altitude winds were still confining the heaviest rains to the eastern side of the storm. At the time of this image, Ernesto's sustained winds were up slightly to 92 km/hr (58 mph). During the night of August 26, the shear across Ernesto finally eased off, and the storm responded by intensifying into a Category 1 hurricane. However, by this time, Ernesto was close to southwestern Haiti. Ernesto crossed the southwestern tip of Haiti on August 27, which caused it to weaken back to a tropical storm. Ernesto then continued northwest before making landfall in southeastern Cuba several hours later. As of August 29, Ernesto remained a somewhat disorganized tropical storm system. The storm was expected to reorganize as it left Cuba, but it was unclear if it would have enough time to develop back to hurricane strength before making a projected landfall in south Florida. The TRMM satellite was placed into service in November 1997. From its low-earth orbit, TRMM provides valuable images and information on storm systems around the tropics using a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors, including the first precipitation radar in space. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
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Hurricane Ernesto
| Title |
Hurricane Ernesto |
| Description |
shuttle launch information site. [ http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/index.html ] NASA image by Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] Goddard Space Flight Center., Tropical Storm Ernesto formed in the eastern Caribbean Sea on August 24, 2006. Within a day, it had become organized enough to be classified as a tropical storm and get named as the fifth storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Ernesto built in power gradually as it moved westward and slightly north through the Caribbean Sea, just reaching hurricane strength as it neared Hispaniola on August 27. However, the interactions of the storm with land robbed Ernesto of enough power for it to be downgraded back to tropical-storm status. It remained a tropical storm as it passed over the southern tip of Haiti, traveled along the spine of mountains that run the length of Cuba, and crossed the Straits of Florida. Ernesto made landfall in southern Florida on August 30, and it was predicted head northeastward into the Atlantic and then come back ashore near the South Carolina-North Carolina border. This photo-like image was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] on the Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on August 28, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. local time (18:00 UTC). Tropical Storm Ernesto at the time of this image was a well-developed storm system, but its interactions with Hispaniola and Cuba had disrupted its shape enough to prevent the formation of a well-defined eye. The spiral-arm structure of clouds was also not as distinct as it would be in a well-developed hurricane. Thus, even as the storm was crossing the warm waters of the Straits of Florida, the storm still was unable to significantly re-intensify. According to the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center, [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] Ernesto had sustained peak winds of around 75 kilometers per hour (45 miles per hour) at the time of this image. Before August 30, weather forecasters anticipated the storm could re-intensify into a hurricane in the Straits of Florida. With that forecast in hand, NASA mission planners opted to bring the Space Shuttle "Atlantis" off Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center where it was waiting for launch and into its hangar to protect it from potential damage. Partway through the transfer, the forecast changed as weather observations showed how severely Ernesto's interactions with the mountains of Cuba had disrupted the storm. Mission planners then reversed course and sent the shuttle back to its launch pad to resume preparations for a possible launch in the following week. When deciding whether to continue or delay launch preparations, mission teams have to balance safety concerns, launch-window opportunities, and the schedule for construction of the International Space Station. You can read more about shuttle operations and launch schedules, including details of STS-115, the flight to resume construction on the International Space Station, at the Kennedy Space Flight Center |
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El Nino Rainfall Patterns ov
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El Nino Rainfall Patterns over the United States |
| Description |
An anomalous warming of the central and eastern Pacific along the equator is part of a well-known climate event called El Niño. An El Niño began in the spring of 2006 and reached its peak in November and December. El Niño has far reaching effects. The anomalous warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific affects general atmospheric circulation patterns, which impacts both temperature and precipitation patterns well into middle latitudes. Deviations in the rainfall patterns across the United States due to El Niño are well-established based on past events. The northern Gulf Coast experiences above-average rainfall, as do California and the Southwest due to a stronger-than-average subtropical jet stream. The Ohio Valley and the Northwest tend to see below-normal rainfall. These deviations from the normal rainfall pattern are illustrated in this image, made from the near-real-time, Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (MPA), which is produced at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, based in part on data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ]) satellite. MPA rainfall anomalies across the United States are shown here for December 25, 2006, through January 25, 2007. The anomalies are obtained by subtracting the average rainfall from the recent values. The average rainfall measurements are based on data collected since TRMM's launch in November 1997. Several of the notable features associated with El Niño are evident. The northern Gulf Coast west of Florida is wetter than average as is southern California. The Four Corners region in the Southwest is also very moist, which is typical for El Niño. Drier-than-normal conditions are evident over the Ohio Valley. There are some exceptions to the expected El Niño rainfall patterns, however. Montana, for example, is usually drier than average during El Niño but appears relatively moist, and Florida is usually wetter than average but shows below-normal rainfall for the period. Also, the dry anomaly in the Northwest is concentrated over northern California instead of spreading over Washington and Oregon as might be expected. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Image produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
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Fires in Cuba
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Fires in Cuba |
| Description |
Several fires were burning in western Cuba on May 7, 2006, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) on NASA's Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite captured this image. The fires, outlined in red, generated a thick plume of smoke, which drifted north over the Florida Keys. Fire is used extensively as an agricultural tool in Cuba, but natural forest fires occur as well. Fire season runs from March to May in Cuba, and ends when the rainy season begins in May. The large image provided above has a resolution of 250 meters per pixel. It is available in additional resolutions [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?AERONET_Dry_Tortugas/2006127 ] from the MODIS Rapid Response Team. NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC. |
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Fires in Florida
| Title |
Fires in Florida |
| Description |
A number of wildfires burned in Eastern Florida on May 7, 2006, clouding the skies with smoke. At 6,000 acres, the largest of the fires was the Areca Fire burning in palmetto, pines, and grasses along the Interstate-95 corridor. Smoke from the fires closed roads in the region, including the Interstate, and forced about 1,000 people from their homes, reported CNN. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ]) on NASA's Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov/ ] satellite captured this image of the Areca Fire at 2:55 p.m. (EDT). The fire itself is outlined in red, and a thick plume of smoke blows east over the Atlantic Ocean. The National Interagency Fire Center said that the Areca Fire was 80 percent contained as of May 8. NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] at NASA GSFC |
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Fires in Florida
| Title |
Fires in Florida |
| Description |
Multiple wildfires have been burning in Florida throughout early May 2006. This image of the area around Lake Okeechobee in central Florida was captured on May 14 by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ] on NASA's Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov ] satellite. Locations of actively burning fires that MODIS detected are outlined in red. South of the lake, the Berg Fire had burned nearly 30,000 acres as of May 17, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The fire to the north of the lake is the OK-KPSP-757 Fire. The high-resolution image provided above has a spatial resolution (level of detail) of 250 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response Team provides daily images [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/ ] of the area (via a clickable map) in a variety of resolutions and formats. NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team, [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] Goddard Space Flight Center |
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Fires in the Southeastern Un
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Fires in the Southeastern United States |
| Description |
In the Southeast, scattered fires were burning across Alabama, Georgia, and Florida on March 22, 2006, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ] on NASA's Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov ] satellite passed overhead. According to the March 22 report from the Southern Area Coordination Center, [ http://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/predictive/intelligence/intelligence.htm ] a few prescribed fires (intentional fires set by land managers for natural resource management) were underway across the Southern District, but the majority of the fires were of other human origins. The high-resolution image provided above has a spatial resolution of 500 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides images of the area additional resolutions. [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?USA7/2006081/USA7.2006081.aqua ] NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team, [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] Goddard Space Flight Center |
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Fires in the Southern United
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| Title |
Fires in the Southern United States |
| Description |
In the southern United States on March 5, 2006, a number of fires were puffing small plumes of smoke that created hazy conditions across the region. This image of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov ] on NASA's Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov ] satellite. Places where the sensor detected actively burning fires are outlined in red. In Alabama, several individual puffs of smoke are visible in locations where the sensor did not detect a fire. This may be because those fires were not hot enough or large enough for the sensor to register them as "hot spots." A swath of haze lingers over the Gulf of Mexico at lower right. At lower left is the Mississippi River Delta. NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team, [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov ] Goddard Space Flight Center |
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Tropical Storm Alberto
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Tropical Storm Alberto |
| Description |
Tropical Storm Alberto formed as a tropical depression early in the morning on June 10, 2006, in the Yucatan Channel. Alberto gradually gathered strength as it took a slow track northward into the Gulf. By early morning on June 11, wind strength within the storm crossed the critical threshold of 39 knots (70 kilometers per hour, 45 miles per hour). Thus Alberto became the first named storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Although Alberto briefly flirted with hurricane status as wind speeds came close to the necessary 64 knots (118 km/hr, 74 mph), the system remained a strong tropical storm as of the morning of June 13, and it was projected to weaken as it comes ashore in northern Florida. This photo-like image was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] on the Aqua [ http://aqua.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on June 12, 2006, at 2:35 p.m. local time (18:35 UTC). The tropical storm did have hints of a spiral structure, but as in earlier satellite images, the bulk of the clouds and rainfall from the storm were east of the storm's center. This large mass of clouds in the image appears over the Florida panhandle and mainland Florida, while the wind circulation center is located roughly 200 kilometers (120 miles) to the west of Tampa. Sustained winds in the storm system were estimated to be around 110 kilometers per hour (70 miles per hour) around the time the image was captured, according to the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center. [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] However, the less-than-hurricane-strength winds did not mean that Alberto posed no significant hazards. Rainfall totals from the storm were predicted to be between 12 to 25 centimeters (5 to 10 inches), and the storm center was also expected to spawn tornadoes once Alberto crossed land. Drought-stricken Florida was looking for rain, but the heavy downpours predicted were also causing concerns about local flooding. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using data obtained courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] team. |
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Tropical Storm Alberto
| Title |
Tropical Storm Alberto |
| Description |
Tropical Storm Alberto formed as a tropical depression early in the morning on June 10, 2006, in the Yucatan Channel. By early morning on June 11, wind strength within the storm crossed the critical threshold of 39 knots (70 kilometers per hour, 45 miles per hour), the minimum wind speed necessary to become classified as a tropical storm and hence earn a name. Thus Alberto became the first named storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Alberto briefly flirted with hurricane status as wind speeds came close to the necessary 64 knots (118 km/hr, 74 mph), but the storm never quite reached hurricane strength. As of the morning of June 14, it had come ashore in northern Florida and had been downgraded to a tropical depression. This photo-like image was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] on the Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on June 13, 2006, at 12:05 p.m. local time (16:05 UTC). The tropical storm at this time had an obvious a spiral structure, but the main mass of clouds was located ahead of the storm to the north and east. The storm was just half an hour from making landfall near Adams Beach, roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Tallahassee. Sustained winds in the storm system were estimated to be around 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour) around the time the image was captured, according to the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center. [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] Rainfall totals from the storm were predicted to be as high as 20 centimeters (8 inches) in Georgia and the Carolinas. Drought-stricken Florida was looking for rain, but the heavy downpours predicted were also causing concerns about local flooding. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using data provided courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] team. |
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Tropical Storm Alberto
| Title |
Tropical Storm Alberto |
| Description |
Tropical Storm Alberto formed as a tropical depression early in the morning on June 10, 2006, in the Yucatan Channel. This narrow gap of ocean lies between the western end of Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. Alberto gradually gathered strength as it took a slow track northward into the Gulf. By early morning on June 11, wind strength within the storm crossed the critical threshold of 39 knots (70 kilometers per hour, 45 miles per hour), the minimum wind speed necessary to become classified as a tropical storm and hence earn a name. Thus Alberto became the first named storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. This photo-like image was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) [ http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] on the Terra [ http://terra.nasa.gov/ ] satellite on June 11 2006, at 12:20 p.m. local time (16:20 UTC). The tropical storm did have a wispy spiral structure, centered north of the Yucatan Peninsula in this satellite image, but there was little other evidence of a well-developed storm. To the east of the storm center, a large bank of clouds sprawled over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and southern Florida. Sustained winds in the storm system were estimated to be around 70 kilometers per hour (45 miles per hour) around the time the image was captured, according to the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center. [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] However, the less-than-hurricane-strength winds did not mean that Alberto posed no significant hazards. Rainfall totals from the storm were predicted to be between 12 to 25 centimeters (5 to 10 inches), and the storm center was also expected to spawn tornadoes once Alberto crossed land. Drought-stricken Florida was looking for rain, but the heavy downpours predicted were also causing concerns about local flooding. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using data obtained courtesy of the MODIS Rapid Response [ http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] team. |
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Tropical Storm Alberto
| Title |
Tropical Storm Alberto |
| Description |
Alberto, the first storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, made landfall midday on June 13, 2006, along a remote section of the northeast Gulf coast of Florida. As the storm moved inland across north Florida, southeast Georgia, and South and North Carolina, it brought with it heavy but much-needed rain. Wild fires have been a problem across Florida, and the Southeast had been dry in general, so Alberto's rains were beneficial. This image shows rainfall totals from Alberto from June 10 through 14, 2006, for Florida and the surrounding region. The image is based on data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. The highest rainfall totals for the period (shown in red) were around 400 to 500 millimeters (14 to 20 inches), and they occurred over western Cuba. Widespread areas of rain cover Florida, Georgia, and South and North Carolina. Amounts in those areas are mostly less than 75 millimeters (5 inches), shown in blue. A band of 80 to 100 millimeters (6 to 8 inches) of rain (green and yellow areas) extends from central South Carolina eastward across eastern North Carolina. After making landfall, Alberto's circulation interacted with a stationary weather front that was draped across the Southeast. The bulk of the rain fell east of the storm track. This is consistent with Alberto's asymmetric structure due to the wind shear. The TRMM satellite was placed into service in November of 1997. From its low-earth orbit, TRMM has been providing valuable images and information on tropical cyclones around the tropics using a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors, including the first precipitation radar in space. TRMM's observations are included in the near-real-time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (MPA) produced at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
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Tropical Storm Alberto
| Title |
Tropical Storm Alberto |
| Description |
Alberto began as a tropical depression on the morning of June 10, 2006, having formed from an area of low air pressure over the northwestern Caribbean Sea. This depression moved generally northwestward through the Yucatan Channel between western Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula and into the south-central Gulf of Mexico. The system was rather poorly organized as a result of southwesterly wind shear. This shear pulled the weather system from the rounded shape of a typical tropical storm and gave Alberto an elongated center of circulation. Nonetheless, hurricane hunter aircraft and ships reported strong winds, and on that basis, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) classified the system as a tropical storm and gave it the name Alberto at 11:00 a.m. EDT on June 11. This visualization shows data collected by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM) at 19:42 UTC (3:42 p.m. EDT) on June 11, 2006, soon after Alberto had become a tropical storm. It maps rain intensity as viewed by the TRMM satellite. Rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar, and rain rates in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager. The rain rates are overlaid on infrared data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner. TRMM confirms that Alberto was poorly organized. The center of circulation is well to the southwest of the heavier rain areas (darker red and green areas). In fact, there is essentially no rain in the immediate vicinity of the center. This highly asymmetric structure results from wind shear. At the time of this image, Alberto was a weak tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 kilometers per hour (45 miles per hour). After these images were taken, however, the wind shear pushing the storm off center decreased, allowing Alberto to become better organized. On June 12, Alberto had become a strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/hr (70 mph) according to the NHC, just below hurricane strength. The system was continuing to track to the northeast towards the coast of Florida, where a hurricane watch was in effect. TRMM was launched in November 1997. From its low-earth orbit, TRMM has been providing valuable images and information on tropical weather systems using a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors, including the first precipitation radar in space. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
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Advanced Weather Satellite G
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nasa, nasaimageofthedaygalle
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At 6:11 p.m., Eastern Daylig
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launch_goe_2006114
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006-05-24 |
| creator |
NASA -- Photographs courtesy Carleton Bailie |
| identifier |
launch_goe_2006114 |
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Dust Dampens Hurricane Forma
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nasa, nasaimageofthedaygalle
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After 2005's record hurrican
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ge_07598
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data processed and provided by Chelle Gentemann and Frank Wentz, remss.com/ Remote Sensing Systems. Tropical storm and hurricane tracks provided by the University of Hawaii's www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html Tropical Storm Information Center. |
| identifier |
ge_07598 |
|
Dust Dampens Hurricane Forma
…
nasa, nasaimageofthedaygalle
…
After 2005's record hurrican
…
ge_07598
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data processed and provided by Chelle Gentemann and Frank Wentz, remss.com/ Remote Sensing Systems. Tropical storm and hurricane tracks provided by the University of Hawaii's www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html Tropical Storm Information Center. |
| identifier |
ge_07598 |
|
Dust Dampens Hurricane Forma
…
nasa, nasaimageofthedaygalle
…
After 2005's record hurrican
…
ge_07598
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data processed and provided by Chelle Gentemann and Frank Wentz, remss.com/ Remote Sensing Systems. Tropical storm and hurricane tracks provided by the University of Hawaii's www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html Tropical Storm Information Center. |
| identifier |
ge_07598 |
|
Dust Dampens Hurricane Forma
…
nasa, nasaimageofthedaygalle
…
After 2005's record hurrican
…
ge_07598
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data processed and provided by Chelle Gentemann and Frank Wentz, remss.com/ Remote Sensing Systems. Tropical storm and hurricane tracks provided by the University of Hawaii's www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html Tropical Storm Information Center. |
| identifier |
ge_07598 |
|
Hurricane Ernesto: Natural H
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Tropical Storm Ernesto forme
…
ernesto_amo_2006241
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006-08-29 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
ernesto_amo_2006241 |
|
Fires in Florida: Natural Ha
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
A number of wildfires burned
…
Florida_AMO_2006127
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006-05-07 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
Florida_AMO_2006127 |
|
Fires in Florida: Natural Ha
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Multiple wildfires have been
…
Florida.AMO2006134
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006-05-14 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
Florida.AMO2006134 |
|
Drought in the Southern Unit
…
nasa, nasaimageofthedaygalle
…
Rainfall across the United S
…
usprecipanom_gpcp_200601
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006 |
| creator |
NASA -- Image produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
| identifier |
usprecipanom_gpcp_200601 |
|
Hurricane Ernesto: Natural H
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Hurricane Ernesto formed in
…
ernesto_tmo_2006239
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006-08-27 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
ernesto_tmo_2006239 |
|
Tropical Storm Alberto: Natu
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Alberto, the first storm of
…
alberto_trmm_2006165
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006-06-14 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
alberto_trmm_2006165 |
|
Fires in Cuba: Natural Hazar
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Several fires were burning i
…
Cuba_TMO_2006127
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006-05-07 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
Cuba_TMO_2006127 |
|
Fires in the Southeastern Un
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
In the Southeast, scattered
…
USA.AMO2006081
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006-03-22 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
USA.AMO2006081 |
|
Hurricane Ernesto: Natural H
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Tropical Storm Ernesto forme
…
ernesto_tmo_2006242
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2006-08-30 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
ernesto_tmo_2006242 |
|
John F. Kennedy Space Center
PIA01918
Sol (our sun)
ASTER
| Title |
John F. Kennedy Space Center |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
The John F. Kennedy Space Center, America's spaceport, is located along Florida's eastern shore on Cape Canaveral. Established as NASA's Launch Operations Center on July 1, 1962, the center has been the site of launching all U.S. human space flight missions, from the early days of Project Mercury to the space shuttle and the next generation of vehicles. In addition, the center is home to NASA's Launch Services Program, which coordinates all expendable vehicle launches carrying a NASA payload. With its 14 spectral bands from the visible to the thermal infrared wavelength region, and its high spatial resolution of 15 to 90 meters (about 50 to 300 feet), ASTER images Earth to map and monitor the changing surface of our planet. ASTER is one of five Earth-observing instruments launched December 18, 1999, on NASA's Terra satellite. The instrument was built by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A joint U.S./Japan science team is responsible for validation and calibration of the instrument and the data products. The broad spectral coverage and high spectral resolution of ASTER provides scientists in numerous disciplines with critical information for surface mapping, and monitoring of dynamic conditions and temporal change. Example applications are: monitoring glacial advances and retreats, monitoring potentially active volcanoes, identifying crop stress, determining cloud morphology and physical properties, wetlands evaluation, thermal pollution monitoring, coral reef degradation, surface temperature mapping of soils and geology, and measuring surface heat balance. The U.S. science team is located at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. The Terra mission is part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Size: 32.6 by 51.2 kilometers (20.2 by 32.2 miles) Location: 28.6 degrees North latitude, 80.6 degrees West longitude Orientation: North at top Image Data: ASTER bands 3, 2, and 1 Original Data Resolution: 15 meters (49.2 feet) Dates Acquired: April 26, 2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Dwayne Light (left), director of Florida Operations, Astrotech, and Jim Adams, deputy project manager for NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), Goddard Space Flight Center, ceremonially open the doors of the new class 10,000 clean-room enclosure at Astrotech, signaling the enclosure is ready for operation. Astrotech is a payload processing facility in Titusville, near Kennedy Space Center. This clean-room enclosure, within the high bay at Astrotech, meets the additional stringent cleanliness requirements necessary for processing STEREO for launch. The enclosure was designed and constructed by Astrotech to meet the spacecraft requirements provided by STEREO project management at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. STEREO consists of two spacecraft whose mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-D. Launch aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is scheduled to occur over the summer. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis |
| Release Date |
04/28/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Dwayne Light (left), director of Florida Operations, Astrotech, assists Jim Adams, deputy project manager for NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), Goddard Space Flight Center, as he cuts the ribbon to officially open the new class 10,000 clean-room enclosure at Astrotech, a payload processing facility near Kennedy Space Center. This clean-room enclosure, within the high bay at Astrotech, meets the additional stringent cleanliness requirements necessary for processing STEREO for launch. The enclosure was designed and constructed by Astrotech to meet the spacecraft requirements provided by STEREO project management at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. STEREO consists of two spacecraft whose mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-D. Launch aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is scheduled to occur over the summer. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis |
| Release Date |
04/28/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jim Adams (right), deputy project manager for NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), Goddard Space Flight Center, presents a certificate of appreciation to Dwayne Light, director of Florida Operations, Astrotech, a payload processing facility near Kennedy Space Center. The occasion was the ribbon-cutting for a clean-room enclosure, within the high bay at Astrotech. The enclosure meets the additional stringent cleanliness requirements necessary for processing STEREO for launch. It was designed and constructed by Astrotech to meet the spacecraft requirements provided by STEREO project management at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. STEREO consists of two spacecraft whose mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-D. Launch aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is scheduled to occur over the summer. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis |
| Release Date |
04/28/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., the transporter carrying the STEREO spacecraft is attached to the truck for transportation to Launch Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. At the pad the spacecraft will be lifted into the mobile service tower. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/10/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Against a pre-dawn sky on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the STEREO spacecraft is lifted alongside the mobile service tower. In the tower, STEREO will be mated with its launch vehicle, a Boeing Delta II rocket. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/11/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers check the clearance of the STEREO spacecraft as it is moved away from the opening. In the tower, STEREO will be mated with its launch vehicle, a Boeing Delta II rocket. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/11/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers begin maneuvering the STEREO spacecraft into the mobile service tower. Once in the tower, STEREO will be mated with its launch vehicle, a Boeing Delta II rocket. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/11/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Against a pre-dawn sky on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the STEREO spacecraft is lifted up toward the platform on the mobile service tower. In the tower, STEREO will be mated with its launch vehicle, a Boeing Delta II rocket. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/11/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After arriving at Launch Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the STEREO spacecraft is fitted with a crane to lift it into the mobile service tower. STEREO will be mated with its launch vehicle, a Boeing Delta II rocket. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/11/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After arriving at Launch Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the STEREO spacecraft waits for a crane to be fitted over it and be lifted into the mobile service tower. STEREO will be mated with its launch vehicle, a Boeing Delta II rocket. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/11/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Viewed from inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers watch the progress of the STEREO spacecraft being lifted. Once in the tower, STEREO will be mated with its launch vehicle, a Boeing Delta II rocket. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/11/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - With a convoy of escorts, the STEREO spacecraft is transported to Launch Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. At the pad the spacecraft will be lifted into the mobile service tower. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/10/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the STEREO spacecraft is lifted off its transporter alongside the mobile service tower. In the tower, STEREO will be mated with its launch vehicle, a Boeing Delta II rocket. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/11/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers observe the progress of the STEREO spacecraft as it glides inside the mobile service tower. After it is in the tower, STEREO will be mated with its launch vehicle, a Boeing Delta II rocket. STEREO stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and comprises two spacecraft. The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. The STEREO mission is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed and built the spacecraft. The laboratory will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/11/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers help maneuver one segment of the fairing around the STEREO spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the Delta II upper stage booster and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. Designed and built by the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) , the STEREO mission is being managed by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. APL will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/19/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers prepare the twin observatories known as STEREO for encapsulation in the fairing. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the Delta II upper stage booster and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. Designed and built by the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) , the STEREO mission is being managed by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. APL will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/19/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers (background) observe the lifting of the two fairing segments that will encapsulate the STEREO spacecraft (foreground). The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the Delta II upper stage booster and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. Designed and built by the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) , the STEREO mission is being managed by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. APL will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/19/2006 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -
…
| Description |
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Inside the mobile service tower on Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers prepare the twin observatories known as STEREO for encapsulation in the fairing. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the Delta II upper stage booster and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on the Earth. Designed and built by the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) , the STEREO mission is being managed by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. APL will maintain command and control of the observatories throughout the mission, while NASA tracks and receives the data, determines the orbit of the satellites, and coordinates the science results. STEREO is expected to lift off Oct. 25. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton |
| Release Date |
10/19/2006 |
|
|
