2007
Felix the Cat. (5) Claws at Central America
(September 4, 2007)
Hurricane Felix scratches at Nicaragua's coast in this Sept. 4 image from NASA's QuikScat satellite. The image was acquired just 45 minutes before Felix hissed ashore as a Category 5 storm.......more>
NASA Finds Vast Regions of West Antarctica Melted in Recent Past
(May 15, 2007)
A team of NASA and university scientists has found clear evidence that extensive areas of snow melted in west Antarctica in January 2005 in response to warm temperatures.......more>
NASA Finds Arctic Replenished Very Little Thick Sea Ice in 2005
(April 3, 2007)
A new NASA study has found that in 2005 the Arctic replaced very little of the thick sea ice it normally loses and replenishes each year. Replenishment of this thick, perennial sea ice each year is essential to the maintenance and stability of the Arctic summer ice cover.......more>
QuikScat Shows Rough Seas/Atmospheric Conditions at Time of Two Java Sea Disasters
(January 18, 2007)
A ferry carrying more than 600 passengers sank in the Java Sea between the island of Java and Borneo just before midnight on December 29, 2006, during high winds and rough seas. On January 1, 2007, a plane carrying more than 100 people crashed on its flight over the Java Sea.......more>
2006
NASA Sees Rapid Changes in Arctic Sea Ice
(September 13, 2006)
NASA data shows that Arctic perennial sea ice, which normally survives the summer melt season and remains year-round, shrunk abruptly by 14 percent between 2004 and 2005. According to researchers, the loss of perennial ice in the East Arctic Ocean neared 50 percent during that time as some of the ice moved from the East Arctic to the West.......more>
2005
NASA Satellite Monitors Post-Hurricane Gulf Coast Flood Potential
(October 14, 2005)
Data from NASA's QuikScat satellite are being used to monitor changes in surface water resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Mississippi River basin.......more>
Gulf of Tehuantepec
(January 3 and 4, 2005)
These images shows high resolution surface winds measured by the SeaWinds scatterometer on January 3 and 4, 2005.......more>
2004
Typhoon Nanmadol
(December 1, 2004)
The image, produced from data collected by the SeaWinds scatterometer instrument onboard NASA's QuikSCAT mission, reveals the details of the surface winds and rain in Typhoon Nanmadol as it moves westward.......more>
Hurricane Javier
(September 17, 2004)
The SeaWinds scatterometer aboard NASA's QuikSCAT satellite collected the data used to create a multicolored image of hurricane Javier, currently nearly due south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.......more>
Hurricane Ivana
(September 9, 2004)
With wind speeds topping 260 kilometers per hour (160 mph), Hurricane Ivan is roaring through the Caribbean as a deadly Category 5 storm. Early on September 9, 2004, the SeaWinds scatterometer aboard NASA�s QuikSCAT satellite saw through Ivan�s swirling clouds to measure wind speed 10 meters above the ocean surface.......more>
Hurricane Howard
(September 2, 2004)
The SeaWinds scatterometer aboard NASA's QuikSCAT satellite collected the data used to create this multicolored image of hurricane Howard off the Southern Coast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.......more>
Hurricane Frances
(September 1, 2004)
The SeaWinds scatterometer aboard NASA's QuikSCAT satellite collected the data used to create this colorful image of hurricane Frances as it approached Cuba on September 1st at 6:09pm EDT.......more>
Hurricane Charley
(August 20, 2004)
The SeaWinds scatterometer aboard NASA's QuikSCAT satellite collected the data used to create this colorful image of hurricane Charley as it approached Cuba on August 12th at 3:50 AM EDT.......more>
NASA's QuikScat Captures First-Ever South Atlantic Hurricane
(March 29, 2004)
NASA's Quick Scatterometer spacecraft and its Seawinds instrument captured this image March 27 of the first hurricane ever recorded in the Southern Atlantic. The Category 1 storm came ashore in Brazil, causing considerable damage and some loss of life. The white arrows representing wind speed and direction are superimposed on the color image of wind speeds.......more>
NASA Satellite Finds Something Fishy About Santa Ana Winds
(March 11, 2004)
Southern California's legendary Santa Ana winds wreak havoc every year, creating hot, dry conditions and fire hazards. Despite their often-destructive nature, a study of the "Devil Winds," conducted using data from NASA's Quick Scatterometer (Quikscat) spacecraft and its SeaWinds instrument shows the winds have some positive benefits........more>
NASA Satellites Help Improve Ocean Condition Forecasts
(January 29, 2004)
Freighters, cruise lines, marine rescuers and coastal managers are among those who could benefit from prototype three-dimensional, three-day ocean condition forecasts created with the assistance of NASA satellite data, computer models and on-site ocean measurements........more>
2003
UC San Diego Students to Showcase Undergraduate Research at UC Day 2004
(December 23, 2003)
Two technology-savvy seniors will represent the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) at the University of California's fifth annual undergraduate research showcase. Ben Maggos and Nick Statom were selected to present their research as part of UC Day next March 9 in Sacramento. "This competition highlights the importance of undergraduate research to California," said Cathie Magowan, Director of Science & Technology Research in the UC Office of the President (UCOP)........more>
Seawinds On Midori-2 Data Now Available
(October 15, 2003)
Instrument data from NASA's newest SeaWinds scatterometer instrument aboard Japan's Midori-2 satellite is now available to the public. The data, which has been fully calibrated and validated by the Ocean Vector Winds Science Team, delivers highly accurate, near-surface ocean wind speeds and direction, sea ice extent and properties of Earth's land surfaces covering 90% of the Earth's surface every day........more>
NASA Satellites Sample Hurricane "Ingredients" to Help Forecasters
(September 10, 2003)
Every year, from June 1 to November 30, the Atlantic Ocean becomes a meteorological mixing bowl, replete with all the needed ingredients for a hurricane recipe........more>
NASA'S Newest SeaWinds Instrument Breezes Into Operation
(February 25, 2003)
One of NASA's newest Earth-observing instruments, the SeaWinds scatterometer aboard Japan's Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (Adeos) 2--now renamed Midori 2--has successfully transmitted its first radar data to our home planet, generating its first high-quality images........more>
NASA Instrument Captures Early Antarctic Ice Shelf Melting
(January 13, 2003)
An international research team using data from NASA's SeaWinds instrument aboard the Quick Scatterometer spacecraft has detected the earliest yet recorded pre-summer melting event in a section of Antarctica's Larsen Ice Shelf. This huge, nearly 200 meter (656 foot) thick plate of glacier-fed floating ice, which in the late 1980s was about as large as Indiana, experienced dramatic disintegration events beginning in 1995 that have reduced its area by nearly 10 percent, or more than two trillion tons of ice........more>
Santa Ana Winds Over Los Angeles
(January 8, 2003)
High-resolution ocean surface wind data from NASA's Quick Scatterometer (QuikScat) illustrate the strength of Santa Ana winds that pounded Southern California this week, causing damage and spreading brush fires.......more>
2002
Wind Instrument Captures Guam Typhoon
(December 20, 2002)
The fury of Pongsona that hit the island of Guam earlier this month, was observed by QuikSCAT one day before it hit........more>
Launch Gives Weather Forecasters Twin Wind Watchers
(December 13, 2002)
Weather and climate forecasters will double their pleasure, thanks to the successful launch of NASA's SeaWinds scatterometer instrument........more>
SeaWinds Tracks Antarctic Ice Escapades
(December 10, 2002)
New research findings from NASA's Quick Scatterometer (QuikScat) satellite and its SeaWinds instrument have documented for the first time the significant effect typhoons have on the ocean and ocean life........more>
Latest Ocean Winds Research Creates a Stir
(December 6, 2002)
New research findings from NASA's Quick Scatterometer (QuikScat) satellite and its SeaWinds instrument have documented for the first time the significant effect typhoons have on the ocean and ocean life........more>
SeaWinds Instrument Ready for Launch on December 13th
(November 26, 2002)
The month of December will see the launch of three NASA research missions to help us better understand and protect our home planet while continuing to search for life in our universe and inspire the next generation of explorers. The ICESat, CHIPS and SeaWinds missions will help improve life here while searching for life beyond Earth........more>
NASA's QuikScat Monitors Increased Storm Activity
(September 26, 2002)
In an unusual occurrence, four tropical systems threatened the United States last week, as depicted in this image obtained September 26, 2002 from the JPL-managed Quick Scatterometer (QuikScat) instrument.......more>
NASA Satellites Help Forecasters Since 1992's Hurricane Andrew
(August 23, 2002)
Ten years ago, on Aug. 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew developed in the Atlantic Ocean and became one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history.......more>
The Science of Surfing Surfers Use Satellites to Chase Big Waves
(July 22, 2002)
Dude, keep missing those killer waves? Maybe 'rocket' science can help.......more>
Satellite Sees Double Zones of Converging Tropical Winds Around the World
(July 9, 2002)
NASA's Quick Scatterometer satellite has confirmed a 30-year-old, largely unproven theory that there are two areas near the equator where the winds converge year after year and drive ocean circulation south of the equator.......more>
Three Candles for QuikScat
(June 21, 2002)
NASA's ocean-wind tracking Quick Scatterometer, built in a record-breaking 11 months, celebrates its third anniversary this week.......more>
Typhoon Season Spins Up Early
(June 4, 2002)
NASA's QuikScat satellite caught this image of the first tropical cyclone of the 2002 typhoon season in the western Pacific on May 15.......more>
Satellite Helps Cut Through Antarctic Waters
(March 1, 2002)
Navigating through the icy waters of Antarctica has gotten a bit easier with help from NASA's Quikscat satellite.......more>
NASA's QuikSCAT Spacecraft Turns Operational
(February 22, 2002)
In a move to improve global weather forecasts and ultimately save lives and property, the United States and Europe have incorporated wind speed and direction data from NASA's Quick Scatterometer......more>
Kyle McDonald - Snow Science, Not Sport, in the Rockies
(February 15, 2002)
Kyle McDonald, a research scientist in the terrestrial science research element at NASA�s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will be among the scientists and students from six federal agencies and many universities that will be using skis, snowmobiles and aircraft to survey and sample snow during this NASA Cold Land Processes Experiment in the Rockies........more>
Seawinds Casts a Closer Eye on Tropical Cyclones
(January 14, 2002)
In a new NASA-funded study, researchers have dramatically improved the warning time for tropical cyclone development in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific hurricane basins. Using satellite data to access a combination of the spin of the atmosphere and wind speed data......more>
2001
ADEOS-II Launch Delayed
(November 15, 2001)
NASA has been informed by the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) that they have decided to delay the ADEOS-II launch until the second half of the next Japanese fiscal year (October 2002 - March 2003).....more>
Catalina Eddy Captured by QuikSCAT
(June 4, 2001)
The detailed wind field measured by the scatterometer on NASA's QuikSCAT satellite mission reveals the elusive and, often welcome, Catalina Eddy....more>
2000
Tropical Depressions Can't Hide Behind Clouds Anymore
(September 11, 2000)
Tropical storms churning into potentially dangerous hurricanes often hide behind a cloak of clouds. But NASA has given forecasters a new way to peek under the covers and identify storms much faster....more>
Super Typhoon Bilis Hurls Rain and Wind
(August 23, 2000)
SeaWinds is a weather radar system launched by NASA in June 1999. In addition to its primary role of
measuring oceanic winds, this spaceborne scatterometer significantly contributes to non-ocean studies in vegetation
and polar ice....more>
Icebergs in the Antarctic: Monitoring the Big Ones
(May 31, 2000)
SeaWinds is a weather radar system launched by NASA in June 1999. In addition to its primary role of
measuring oceanic winds, this spaceborne scatterometer significantly contributes to non-ocean studies in
vegetation and polar ice....more>
New Results Show Which Way the Wind Blows Over the Oceans
(February 4, 2000)
Scientists, weather forecasters and the public take possession of a valuable stream of meteorological and climate
observations this week, as the first calibrated measurements from NASA's SeaWinds instrument on the Quikscat
satellite become available -- information that can improve weather forecasting around the
world....more>
Pniel Named JPL Scatterometer Projects Manager
(February 3, 2000)
Moshe Pniel, science project manager of Japan's Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection
Radiometer on board NASA's Terra Earth-observing spacecraft, has been named manager of scatterometer
projects at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif....more>
1999
SeaWinds Clocks Hurricane Dora's Wind Speeds
(August 16, 1999)
The SeaWinds instrument onboard NASA's new QuikScat ocean-viewing satellite captured this image of Hurricane
Dora in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean on August 10, as it was blowing at speeds of nearly 40 meters per
second (90 miles per hour)...more>
SeaWinds Captures Fury of Typhoon Olga
(August 9, 1999)
NASA's newly launched ocean-viewing radar instrument, SeaWinds, has been able to capture the fury of Typhoon
Olga as it grew in intensity last week in the China Sea, packing high winds of more than 50 knots (57 miles per
hour) and delivering torrential rains to South Korea, North Korea and other coastal communities of south
Asia...more>
NASA's QuikSCAT Ocean Wind Satellite Sucessfully Launched
(June 19, 1999)
NASA's Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) was lofted into space at 7:15 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on
Saturday (6/19/99) atop a U.S. Air Force Titan II launch vehicle from Space Launch Complex 4 West at
California's Vandenberg Air Force Base...more>
QuikSCAT Team Wins American Electronics Achievement Award
(June 4, 1999)
Spacecraft engineers on NASA's new Quick Scatterometer ocean winds-observing spacecraft have won a
prestigious American Electronics Association Technical Achievement
Award...more>
1998
Seawinds Instrument Shipped For Integration On QuikSCAT
(June 18, 1998)
The SeaWinds instrument, NASA's next generation El Nino monitoring device, has been shipped to Ball
Aerospace in Boulder, CO for integration on to the Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT)
satellite...more>
NSCAT Paves the Way for Future Ocean Winds Missions
(June 18, 1998)
The NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) was launched aboard the Japanese Advanced Earth Observing Satellite
(ADEOS) in August, 1996. From September 1996 when the instrument was first turned on, until premature
termination of the mission due to failure of the satellite in June 1997, NSCAT performed
flawlessly...more>
