NASA has selected a new mission to help humanity better understand Earth’s dynamic atmosphere – specifically, ice clouds that form at high altitudes throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions. The PolSIR instrument – short for Polarized Submillimeter Ice-cloud Radiometer – will study such ice clouds to determine how and why they change throughout the day. This will provide crucial information about how to accurately simulate these high-altitude clouds in global climate models.

The investigation consists of two identical CubeSats – each small satellite is just a little over a foot tall – flying in orbits separated by three to nine hours. Over time, these two instruments will observe the clouds’ daily cycle of ice content.

“Studying ice clouds is crucial for improving climate forecasts – and this will be the first time we can study ice clouds in this level of detail,” said Nicola Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Every NASA mission is carefully chosen to better understand our home planet.”

The award is for for lifecycle costs no more than $37 million, which does not include launch costs. The radiometer is an Earth Venture instrument – lower-cost instruments with a targeted research goal, which typically catch a ride along with another mission or commercial satellite in order to minimize launch costs. The Earth Venture class also focuses on providing frequent flight opportunities, so innovative science investigations can be flown relatively quickly, generally within five years or less. Missions like this provide key targeted research opportunities, which help us improve our understanding of what’s driving change in the entire Earth system.

“Understanding how these ice clouds respond to a changing climate – and then, in turn, contribute to further changes – remains one of the great challenges to predicting what the atmosphere will do in the future,” said Karen St. Germain, who leads NASA’s Earth Sciences Division. “The radiometers, which measure the radiant energy emitted by clouds, will significantly improve our understanding of how ice clouds change and respond throughout the day.”

The mission is led by Ralf Bennartz, principal investigator at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and by Dong Wu, deputy principal investigator at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

NASA Goddard will provide the project management team that builds the two instruments, while science operations will be conducted by the Space Science and Engineering Center at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The two spacecraft will be built by Blue Canyon Technologies in Lafayette, Colorado.

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For more information about NASA’s Earth science missions, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/Earth

Source: NASA

Turtle Day is a special day dedicated to the appreciation and protection of turtles and tortoises. Observed annually on May 23rd, this day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of preserving these ancient and fascinating creatures.

Turtles have been around for over 200 million years, making them one of the oldest living groups of reptiles. They play a vital role in the ecosystem, as they help to maintain the balance of aquatic and terrestrial environments. Turtles also serve as a source of food for other animals, and some species help to control the spread of invasive plant species.

Despite their importance, turtles are facing numerous threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and the illegal pet trade. Many species are also hunted for their meat and shells, which are used in traditional medicines and for decorative purposes.

On Turtle Day, people all over the world come together to celebrate these remarkable creatures and to raise awareness about their plight. This day offers a chance to learn more about turtles and what we can do to help protect them.

One way to get involved is to support organizations that are working to conserve turtle populations and their habitats. These organizations may conduct research, monitor turtle populations, and work with local communities to promote conservation efforts. Donating to these organizations or volunteering your time can make a big difference in helping to protect turtles.

Another way to celebrate Turtle Day is to learn more about these fascinating creatures. There are over 300 species of turtles and tortoises, each with its unique characteristics and adaptations. Taking the time to learn about the different species of turtles can help you appreciate the diversity of these amazing animals.

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If you live near a body of water, you may even have the opportunity to see turtles in their natural habitat. Observing these creatures in the wild can be a memorable experience, but it’s important to remember to keep a safe distance and not disturb their natural behavior.

Finally, you can celebrate Turtle Day by making small changes in your daily life that can have a big impact on turtle conservation. Simple actions like reducing your use of plastic, properly disposing of trash, and avoiding products made from turtle shells can all help to protect these creatures and their habitats.

Turtle Day is an important occasion to celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises. By learning more about these amazing creatures and taking action to support their conservation, we can help to ensure that turtles will be around for generations to come.

https://nationaltoday.com/world-turtle-day/

https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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Fallstreak holes, also known as hole-punch clouds, are a fascinating meteorological phenomenon that occur when supercooled water in the clouds suddenly freezes or evaporates.

These circular or elliptical holes are most often observed in cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds. They are created by the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen process when ice crystals form and initiate a domino effect of fusion that causes water droplets to evaporate, leaving a hole in the cloud.

Passing aircraft can also contribute to the formation of these holes by introducing ice crystals into the cloud layer which then grow quickly by the Bergeron process, causing droplets to evaporate and creating a hole.

These holes have been mistaken for UFOs due to their rarity and unusual appearance, but they are a natural occurrence.

Fallstreak holes are not unique to any one geographic area and have been photographed from many places.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallstreak_hole

https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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