StellarDiscoveries: NASA Expeditions

Are hurricanes getting stronger? Although we’ll never see a Category 6 hurricane, data does show that more hurricanes are becoming more severe. Hurricane and climate expert Mara Cordero-Fuentes of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center tells us more about the connection between climate change and tropical cyclones. Learn more: https://go.nasa.gov/3yQ168I Producers: Scott Bednar, Jessica Wilde Editor: Daniel Salazar Credit: NASA

In this video, measurements collected by the Waves instrument aboard NASA’s Juno spacecraft during its close flyby of Jupiter’s moon Europa on Sept. 29, 2022 have been converted to an audible frequency. As the white line moves across the spectrogram, which is a visual way of representing signal strength over time, the variation of frequency of the plasma waves observed near Europa can be heard as the plasma density varies. The video shows data collected over approximately 1.5 hours during the Europa flyby. For more information about NASA’s Juno mission, visit: http://nasa.gov/juno and https://missionjuno.com Details about the Europa flyby can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/nasa-s-juno-will-perform-close-flyby-of-jupiter-s-icy-moon-europa Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/Univ of Iowa

We’re testing a new way of landing on Mars… by crashing into its surface. The Simplified High Impact Energy Landing Device (SHIELD) is a lander concept being tested at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It could one day provide a new way for low-cost missions to land on Mars. Rather than rely on parachutes or retrorockets, SHIELD would include a collapsible, accordion-like base to absorb the energy of a landing. A full-size prototype of the base was tested on Aug. 12, 2022. The prototype was hurled at the ground from the top of a nearly 90-foot-tall (27-meter-tall) drop tower at JPL. A steel plate ensured the impact was even harder than what would be experienced on Mars. The design worked: After crushing against the steel plate at 110 mph (177 kph), several electronic components inside the SHIELD prototype, including a smartphone, survived the impact. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/California Academy of Sciences

How do spacecraft slow down? Rigid heat shields and retropropulsion have been the favorites of engineers for years. Now NASA is testing a new inflatable heat shield technology that could allow us to carry even larger payloads to worlds with atmospheres: https://www.nasa.gov/loftid Launching on Nov. 1 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket along with NOAA’s JPSS-2 mission, the Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator, or LOFTID, will demonstrate the heat shield’s ability to slow down and survive atmospheric entry: https://go.nasa.gov/3N7yzBG Producers: Scott Bednar, Jessica Wilde Editor: Daniel Salazar Credit: NASA #NASA #Technology #Spacecraft

chronicles solar activity from Aug. 12 to Dec. 22, 2022, as captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). From its orbit in space around Earth, SDO has steadily imaged the Sun in 4K x 4K resolution for nearly 13 years. This information has enabled countless new discoveries about the workings of our closest star and how it influences the solar system. With a triad of instruments, SDO captures an image of the Sun every 0.75 seconds. The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instrument alone captures images every 12 seconds at 10 different wavelengths of light. This 133-day time lapse showcases photos taken at a wavelength of 17.1 nanometers, which is an extreme-ultraviolet wavelength that shows the Sun’s outermost atmospheric layer: the corona. Compiling images taken 108 seconds apart, the movie condenses 133 days, or about four months, of solar observations into 59 minutes. The video shows bright active regions passing across the face of the Sun as it rotates. The Sun rotates approximately once every 27 days. The loops extending above the bright regions are magnetic fields that have trapped hot, glowing plasma. These bright regions are also the source of solar flares, which appear as bright flashes as magnetic fields snap together in a process called magnetic reconnection. While SDO has kept an unblinking eye pointed toward the Sun, there have been a few moments it missed. Some of the dark frames in the video are caused by Earth or the Moon eclipsing SDO as they pass between the spacecraft and the Sun. Other blackouts are caused by instrumentation being down or data errors. SDO transmits 1.4 terabytes of data to the ground every day. The images where the Sun is off-center were observed when SDO was calibrating its instruments. SDO and other NASA missions will continue to watch our Sun in the years to come, providing further insights about our place in space and information to keep our astronauts and assets safe. The music is a continuous mix from Lars Leonhard’s “Geometric Shapes” album, courtesy of the artist. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Scott Wiessinger (PAO): Lead Producer Tom Bridgman (SVS): Lead Visualizer Scott Wiessinger (PAO): Editor This video can be freely shared and downloaded at https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14263. While the video in its entirety can be shared without permission, the music and some individual imagery may have been obtained through permission and may not be excised or remixed in other products. Specific details on such imagery may be found here: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14263. For more information on NASA’s media guidelines, visit https://nasa.gov/multimedia/guidelines. Video Description: On the left side of the frame is the full circle of the Sun. It appears in a golden yellow color, but splotchy and with thin yellow wisps extending from the surface. Some areas are very bright and others almost black. The whole Sun rotates steadily, with one full rotation taking 12 minutes in this time lapse. There are usually only a few bright regions visible at a time and they shift and flash like small fires. From these regions there are wispy loops reaching up above the surface that rapidly change shape and size. On the right side of the frame are two white-outlined squares with enlargements of interesting regions of the Sun. If you liked this video, subscribe to the NASA Goddard YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/NASAGoddard Follow NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center · Instagram http://www.instagram.com/nasagoddard · Twitter http://twitter.com/NASAGoddard · Twitter http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix · Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NASAGoddard · Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc

A new Earth science mission, led by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), will help communities plan for a better future by surveying the planet’s salt and freshwater bodies. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will measure the height of water in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and the oceans. As climate change accelerates the water cycle, more communities around the world will be inundated with water while others won’t have enough. SWOT data will be used to improve flood forecasts and monitor drought conditions, providing essential information to water management agencies, civil engineers, universities, the U.S. Department of Defense, disaster preparedness agencies, and others who need to track water in their local areas. In this video, examples of how SWOT data will be used in these communities are shared by a National Weather Service representative in Oregon, an Alaska Department of Transportation engineer, researchers from the University of Oregon and University of North Carolina, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist working with the Department of Defense, and a JPL scientist working with the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Agency. :30 - Flood Watches & Warnings - Portland, Oregon 1:08 - Water Management - Fern Ridge Lake, Oregon 2:05 - Protecting Infrastructure - Alaska 2:54 - National Security - Department of Defense 3:24 - Coastal Protection - Mississippi River Delta SWOT is expected to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in December 2022. The mission is a collaboration between NASA and CNES, with contributions from the Canadian Space Agency and UK Space Agency. JPL, which is managed for NASA by Caltech in Pasadena, California, leads the U.S. component of the project. To learn more about the mission, visit: https://swot.jpl.nasa.gov Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/CNES/Thales Alenia Space

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover is filling sample tubes with rocky material on the Red Planet as the agency works on the next steps to get them safely back to Earth. The Mars Sample Return campaign would bring samples collected by the Perseverance rover to Earth for detailed study. The campaign involves an international interplanetary relay team, including the European Space Agency (ESA). These samples could answer a key question: did life ever exist on Mars? Aaron Yazzie, who works on the Mars Sample Return campaign, explains the work being done at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to ensure the safe return of the sample tubes. For more information on Mars Sample Return, visit mars.nasa.gov/msr Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Paul Smith is a night-sky fanatic and photographer. His obsession is sprites: immense jolts of light that flicker high above thunderstorms. Last October, he guided NASA scientist Dr. Burcu Kosar through the backroads of Oklahoma to catch one herself. Although she’d studied sprites for more than 15 years, she hadn’t yet chased one. Read more about chasing sprites with Paul and Burcu: https://blogs.nasa.gov/sunspot/2022/10/27/the-great-sprites-chase Learn about NASA’s citizen science project Spritacular: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2022/sun/spritacular-nasa-s-new-citizen-science-project-to-capture-elusive-upper-atmospheric Learn about the Heliophysics Big Year: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/solar-system/sun/helio-big-year Image credits: Paul Smith, Frankie Lucena, Panagiotis Tsouras, Thomas Ashcraft. All imagery of sprites is copyrighted and used with permission. Music credits: “The Beauty Beyond” by Jeremy Noel William Abbott [PRS], Vasco [PRS]; “Outer Orbit” by Alexander Ryder Mcnair [ASCAP], Harry Gregson Williams [BMI], Ho Ling Tang [BMI]; “Wonderful Orbit” by Tom Furse Fairfax Cowan [PRS]; “Starlights” by Marc Teitler [PRS], Vasco [PRS]; “A Tranquil End” by Luke Gordon [PRS]; “Virtual Tidings” by Andrew Michael Britton [PRS], David Stephen Goldsmith [PRS]; “Winter Aurora” by Samuel Karl Bohn [PRS]; “Lava Flow” and “Water Dance” by Ben Niblett [PRS], Jon Cotton [PRS]. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Producer: Joy Ng (KBRwyle) Scientist: Burcu Kosar (Catholic University of America) Photographer: Paul Smith Photographer: Frankie Lucena Photographer: Panagiotis Tsouras Photographer: Thomas Ashcraft Videographer: Joy Ng, Thomas Smith Writer: Lina Tran This video can be freely shared and downloaded at https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14206. While the video in its entirety can be shared without permission, the music and some individual imagery may have been obtained through permission and may not be excised or remixed in other products. Specific details on such imagery may be found here: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14206. For more information on NASA’s media guidelines, visit https://nasa.gov/multimedia/guidelines. If you liked this video, subscribe to the NASA Goddard YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/NASAGoddard Follow NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center · Instagram http://www.instagram.com/nasagoddard · Twitter http://twitter.com/NASAGoddard · Twitter http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix · Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NASAGoddard · Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc

Embark on a cosmic journey through the lens of the Hubble Space Telescope with "Hubble's Field Guide to Galaxies." Join us as we navigate the vast expanse of the universe, capturing stunning visuals of galaxies in all their majestic diversity. From spiraling wonders to elliptical enigmas, this video showcases Hubble's unparalleled ability to unravel the mysteries of distant galaxies, shedding light on their formation, evolution, and intricate details. Prepare to be captivated by the awe-inspiring beauty and scientific revelations that Hubble's keen eye brings to our understanding of the cosmos.

Dive into a realm of groundbreaking discovery with "AIRS: Unveiling Earth's Climate Mysteries with NASA's Advanced Insights." Join us on a captivating journey as we unravel the intricate tapestry of our planet's climate, guided by the remarkable advancements of NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS). In this illuminating video, we unveil the pivotal role that AIRS plays in our quest to comprehend Earth's dynamic climate systems. Delve into the science behind this cutting-edge technology, which harnesses the power of infrared observations to provide unprecedented insights into temperature patterns, humidity levels, and greenhouse gas concentrations across our globe. Witness how AIRS enables us to visualize the invisible currents shaping our weather and climate, offering a clearer understanding of natural phenomena and human-induced changes. From monitoring ocean currents to tracking atmospheric composition, this mission offers a panoramic view of Earth's environmental health. As we journey alongside the AIRS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite, we unveil the intricate ballet of interactions that define our planet's climate equilibrium. Peer into the heart of data analysis and visualization, where scientists decipher the clues that drive weather patterns, impact ecosystems, and contribute to the grand puzzle of global climate change. Subscribe now to embark on an educational adventure that bridges scientific inquiry and awe-inspiring visuals. "AIRS: Unveiling Earth's Climate Mysteries with NASA's Advanced Insights" is your window into the forefront of Earth science, where knowledge meets innovation to shape the future of climate understanding and environmental stewardship

Embark on an extraordinary journey of scientific discovery with "NASA's SpaceX Crew-3: A Voyage for Science and Exploration." Join us as we delve into the remarkable mission that bridges the realms of space and scientific advancement. In this captivating video, we unveil the intricacies of NASA's collaboration with SpaceX, where cutting-edge technology and human ingenuity converge to propel astronauts on a path toward the stars. Discover how Crew-3's mission isn't just a voyage to the International Space Station (ISS), but a crucial step forward in our quest to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. Witness the dedicated team of astronauts as they prepare for launch, and get an inside look at the advanced spacecraft that will serve as their cosmic vessel. From state-of-the-art experiments to groundbreaking research, delve into the diverse scientific endeavors that will be undertaken aboard the ISS, contributing to our understanding of Earth, space, and humanity's place within the universe. As we follow the crew's awe-inspiring journey, we explore the profound impact of their work on fields ranging from biology and physics to astronomy and beyond. From microgravity experiments to observations of our planet's changing climate, "NASA's SpaceX Crew-3: A Voyage for Science and Exploration" offers a front-row seat to the thrilling intersection of human exploration and scientific innovation. Subscribe now and join us in celebrating the pioneering spirit that drives us to reach new horizons, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and fostering a deeper connection between humanity and the cosmos. Get ready to embark on a mission that is shaping the future of space exploration and expanding the frontiers of human understanding.

"Journey into the Invisible: Unraveling the Enigma of NASA's Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) Welcome to a realm of hidden intrigue – the universe of Earth's intricate dust sources. In this captivating exploration, we venture into the heart of NASA's EMIT mission, where cutting-edge science unveils the secrets of mineral dust that dance on the winds across our planet. EMIT, short for Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation, is a pioneering endeavor that casts light upon the origins, dynamics, and far-reaching impacts of these microscopic wanderers. As we delve into the microscopic realm, we unravel the tales of dust's global odyssey – from its birth in faraway deserts to its vital role in ecosystems, weather patterns, and even human health. Join us as we follow the trail of dust particles through mesmerizing landscapes, showcasing the intricate web of connections that tie Earth's diverse regions together. Through captivating visual storytelling and expert insights, we unlock the significance of EMIT's mission, painting a vivid picture of how seemingly subtle elements can orchestrate powerful changes on a planetary scale. Whether you're a devoted Earth enthusiast, a space aficionado, or simply curious about the hidden forces shaping our world, embark on this eye-opening odyssey with us. Subscribe now to immerse yourself in the enigmatic realm of EMIT and witness the profound influence of Earth's surface mineral dust on the tapestry of life."