Current Events

  • Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm
    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm rep...Read more

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    Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm

    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm repeatedly. Daily levels of CO2 can vary due to weather, and there are seasonal trends as well. The level of atmospheric greenhouse gases continues to increase, now over 120 ppm since the Industrial Revolution began. For more on the Keeling Curve, see http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/. Find out more about greenhouse gases and warming.
  • Massive Tornado Outbreak on Tornado Alley
    The week of May 19 brings dozens of tornadoes to Tornado Alley in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Io...Read more

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    Massive Tornado Outbreak on Tornado Alley

    The week of May 19 brings dozens of tornadoes to Tornado Alley in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. On May 20th, a massive tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, devastating communities - destroying over 100 homes and hitting two elementary schools and a hospital - with many casualties and deaths. Our thoughts are with our friends and colleagues suffering from these storms. For more on the May 20th storms, see the NOAA Storm Prediction Center Storm Report.
  • Kansas Legislator Proposes Bill to Outlaw Sustainability Education
    A bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature this week that would prohibit the promotion of ...Read more

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    Kansas Legislator Proposes Bill to Outlaw Sustainability Education

    A bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature this week that would prohibit the promotion of sustainability. Here is a link to the one-page bill: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/documents/hb2366_00_0000.pdf. See report on Bloomberg News.

Space Weather Today

Like weather on Earth, space weather is constantly changing. On Earth you can simply look out the window to see if it is sunny or raining. Scientists use a host of telescopes, magnetometers, radiation sensors, and other instruments scattered around the globe and onboard a fleet of spacecraft to monitor, and sometimes even predict, space weather.

On 21 April, 2010, the Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the launch of a filament from the <a href="/sun/atmosphere/photosphere.html">surface of the Sun</a>. These are the most detailed images of the Sun ever taken. The images show light in the <a href="/physical_science/magnetism/em_ultraviolet.html">ultraviolet</a> part of the <a href="/physical_science/magnetism/em_spectrum.html">electromagnetic spectrum</a>. The Sun is now entering another period of <a href="/sun/solar_activity.html">solar activity</a> after several years of a relatively quiet Sun. Activity on the Sun varies on an <a href="/sun/activity/sunspot_cycle.html">cycle of about 11 years</a>.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of NASA/Solar Dynamics Observatory and AIA Consortium</em></small></p>

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Explore Space Weather Today

What's happening on the Sun today?

Current and recent views of the Sun from observatories around the Earth and in space. Images ...Read more

Space Weather Forecast

Conditions in the Solar Wind and the Interplanetary Magnetic Field, measured by satellites ...Read more

What's happening in Near-Earth Space today?

Variations in space weather affect Earth's upper atmosphere (mesosphere, thermosphere, and ionosphere). ...Read more

Is there an Aurora Today?

Northern Hemisphere Estimated Electrical Power - Northern & Southern Auroral Ovals The power ...Read more

Archive: old "Space Weather Today" section

...Read more

Historical Events

5/22 ~7.9 magnitude earthquake hits near Xining, Tsinghai, China in 1927
5/24 Nicholas Copernicus, a Polish astronomer, died on this date in 1543 Details
5/30 7.5 magnitude quake hits Quetta, Pakistan in 1935

Full Earth and Space Science    History Calendar (Members only)

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Did you know?

Did you know that the "Seven Sisters" known to the Greeks is the same as the "Flint Boys" known to the Navajo?

Do you know why volcanic ash is a problem for air travelers?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Dip-slip fault
xDip-slip fault : Dip-slip faults are inclined fractures where the blocks have mostly shifted vertically. If the rock mass above an inclined fault moves down, the fault is termed normal, whereas if the rock above the fault moves up, the fault is termed reverse.

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Geologists Uncover Major Ancient Human Ancestor in South Africa

Researchers working in South Africa have discovered two remarkably well-preserved fossil skeletons of an ancient human ancestor dating to almost two million years ago. The discovery is described in two...Read more

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