Atmospheric Science

Map of the total precipitable water vapor in the atmosphere at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time on December 4, 2023. A warm, moisture-laden weather system soaked western Washington and Oregon. A powerful atmospheric river streamed toward the U.S. Pacific Northwest in early December 2023. The long current of water vapor delivered warm, wet weather to much of western Washington and Oregon, toppling daily rainfall and temperature records and escalating flood and debris flow risks. Monitoring Atmospheric Conditions This map shows the…

By University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science December 2, 2023 Researchers at the University of Miami have discovered that carbon dioxide’s greenhouse effect intensifies as its atmospheric concentration increases, challenging long-standing beliefs about its constant heat-trapping capability. New study shows potency of the greenhouse gas increases with increased concentrations. A team of scientists found that carbon dioxide becomes a more potent greenhouse gas as more is released…

An illustration of two water-rich exoplanets with hazy atmospheres. Credit: Roberto Molar Candanosa/Johns Hopkins UniversityScientists have made a significant breakthrough in simulating hazy conditions on water-rich exoplanets, offering new insights into the challenges of observing these distant worlds in the search for extraterrestrial life.Researchers have successfully simulated conditions that allow hazy skies to form in water-rich exoplanets. This is a crucial step in determining how haziness muddles observations by…

A research team used the James Webb Space Telescope to explore the impact of increased CO2 on Earth and exoplanets. Their research found that CO2 additions cause more warming in areas without direct sunlight, affecting global circulation. This phenomenon is consistent on both Earth and TRAPPIST-1e, highlighting the importance of understanding greenhouse gases for exoplanet habitability and Earth’s climate. This study marks a significant advancement in exoplanetary science and climate research.A research team, utilizing…

Recent research from the University of Otago indicates that the Antarctic ozone hole has been significantly larger and more persistent than commonly believed, not solely due to CFCs. The study links the hole to changes in the Southern Hemisphere’s climate and weather patterns, despite the Montreal Protocol’s efforts.A new study reveals the Antarctic ozone hole is larger and more enduring than thought, with complex factors beyond CFCs contributing to its persistence and impact on the Southern Hemisphere’s climate.Despite…

This image shows an artist’s impression of what nightglow might look like to an astronaut in the polar winter regions of Mars at night. The green glow occurs when oxygen atoms high up in the atmosphere combine to form oxygen molecules.This simulated view was created using a real but darkened image of the Martian surface from the panoramic camera of NASA’s Opportunity rover, and a synthetic nightglow corresponding to the real color of the oxygen emission. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell Univ./Arizona State Univ.– E. W.…

Artist impression of WASP-107b and its parent star. Credit: Illustration: LUCA School of Arts, Belgium/ Klaas Verpoest (visuals), Johan Van Looveren (typography). Science: Achrène Dyrek (CEA and Université Paris Cité, France), Michiel Min (SRON, the Netherlands), Leen Decin (KU Leuven, Belgium) / European MIRI EXO GTO team / ESA / NASAA team of astronomers used recent observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope to study the atmosphere of the nearby exoplanet WASP-107 b. Peering deep into the fluffy atmosphere of…