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A Soyuz rocket launches to the International Space Station with Expedition 73 crew members aboard, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.NASA/Joel Kowsky NASA astronaut Chris Williams will launch aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft to the International Space Station on Thursday, Nov. 27, accompanied by cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, where they will join the Expedition 73 crew advancing scientific research. Williams, Kud-Sverchkov, and Mikaev will lift off at 4:27 a.m. EST (2:27 p.m. Baikonur time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Live launch and docking coverage will be available on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media. After a two-orbit, three-hour trip to the orbital complex, the spacecraft will automatically dock to the station’s Rassvet module at approximately 7:38 a.m. Shortly after, hatches will open between Soyuz and the space station. Once aboard, the trio will join NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Jonny Kim, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov. NASA’s coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations): Thursday, Nov. 27 3:30 a.m. – Launch coverage begins on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. 4:27 a.m. – Launch 6:45 a.m. – Rendezvous and docking coverage begins on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. 7:38 a.m. – Docking to the space station 9:50 a.m. – Hatch opening and welcome remarks coverage begins on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. 10:10 a.m. – Hatch opening Williams, Kud-Sverchkov, and Mikaev will spend approximately eight months aboard the space station as Expedition 73/74 crew members, before returning to Earth in summer 2026. This will be the first spaceflight for Williams and Mikaev, and the second for Kud-Sverchkov. During his stay aboard station, Williams will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration and benefiting life on Earth. He will help install and test a new modular workout system for long-duration missions, support experiments to improve cryogenic fuel efficiency and grow semiconductor crystals in space, and assist NASA in designing new re-entry safety protocols to protect crews during future missions. For more than 25 years, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs that are not possible on Earth. The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. As commercial companies concentrate on providing human space transportation services and destinations as part of a robust low Earth orbit economy, NASA is focusing its resources on deep space missions to the Moon as part of the Artemis campaign in preparation for future human missions to Mars. Learn more about International Space Station research and operations at: [Hidden Content] -end- Joshua Finch / Jimi Russell Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Sandra Jones / Joseph Zakrzewski Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 sandra.p*****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 LocationNASA Headquarters Related TermsHumans in SpaceInternational Space Station (ISS) View the full article

Mars and Mercury cozy up, the Leonids sparkle, and Saturn’s rings are…disappearing? Mars and Mercury get close for a conjunction, the Leonid meteor shower delights, and Saturn’s rings are…disappearing? Skywatching Highlights Nov. 12: A conjunction between Mars and Mercury Nov. 16-18: Leonid meteor shower peak viewing Nov. 23: Saturn’s rings disappear Transcript Mars and Mercury have a cozy conjunction, the Leonid meteor shower delights, and Saturn’s rings are…disappearing? That’s What’s Up for November. Conjunction: Mars and Mercury will cozy up together in the night sky just after sunset on November 12th. The planets will experience what is known as a conjunction, meaning they appear close together in the sky from our view (even though in real life, Mars and Mercury are well over 100 million miles apart). But you can see these two long distance pals close together if you look slightly southwest just after sunset in the early evening sky on November 12th. NASA/JPL-Caltech Mars will be just to the right above Mercury, and you’ll know it’s Mars by its distinctive reddish-orange color. Leonid Meteor Shower: The Leonid meteor shower will sparkle across the skies this month, peaking on November 17th. NASA/JPL-Caltech While the meteor shower stretches from November 3rd through December 2nd, it will be at its most visible late on the night of November 16th into the dawn of November 17th, even into the early morning of November 18th. Look for meteors coming from the shower’s radiant point within the constellation Leo in the eastern sky. With dark skies, you might see 10-15 meteors per hour with this shower which happens when we travel through the debris trailing the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Saturn’s rings disappear Saturn’s rings will disappear from view this November! Saturn orbits the sun leaning at an angle of 26.7 degrees. This means that from our view, its rings shift up and down over time. On November 23, Saturn will be angled in such a way that its rings face us, and since they are so thin they’ll just disappear from view. Alan Friedman/avertedimagination.com But don’t worry, the rings aren’t gone from view forever. As the planet continues to orbit, its rings will gradually become more visible again. Conclusion + Moon Phases Here are the phases of the Moon for November. NASA/JPL-Caltech You can stay up to date on all of NASA’s missions exploring the solar system and beyond at science.nasa.gov. I’m Chelsea Gohd from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and that’s What’s Up for this month. Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA What’s Up Skywatching Galaxies Stars View the full article

Explore This Section Science Science Activation NASA Fuels Discovery from… Overview Learning Resources Science Activation Teams SME Map Opportunities More Science Activation Stories Citizen Science 6 min read NASA Fuels Discovery from Earth to Sky: One Crayon at a Time Student interns help kids color in data to learn more about the far side of the Moon while visiting the Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center. Photo Credit: NASA Earth to Sky A collaboration between the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative (NESEC) and Earth to Sky (ETS) – an exciting, growing partnership between NASA, the National Park Service, and other federal, state, and local organizations – is facilitating the implementation of a simple, yet incredibly effective activity that will help millions of national park visitors connect with NASA Earth and space science. The Color-a-Pixel activity, developed by NESEC, transforms complex satellite imagery into accessible, collaborative art projects. Incorporating this simple technique into ETS science communication training programs demonstrates to park interpreters and outdoor educators how NASA’s view from space can enhance millions of visitor experiences at parks, refuges, and nature centers. “This low-tech activity is powerful because of its simplicity,” explains ETS Space Science Coordinator Brandi Stewart, “All you have to do is pick up a crayon, follow the easy number guides, and discover the stories that NASA satellites are telling us about our world and beyond.” The Color-a-Pixel activity begins with selecting satellite imagery from NASA missions like Landsat, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), or the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). Using technology developed by NESEC’s lead organization, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, these images are converted into a 3’ by 2’ poster of numbered squares, each corresponding to one of 120 standard Crayola crayon colors. Earth to Sky demonstrates the magnetic appeal of this activity by setting it up for the rangers and educators during workshops. With a bit of explanation, participants immediately jump in, eager to reveal the imagery and data shown through the pixels. “It becomes a group mission that, by the end of the training, the image will be fully colored in and complete. It’s been a great teambuilding and stress-relieving activity for our participants,” states Geneviève de Messières, Earth to Sky Program Lead. When applied to public lands communication efforts, this activity becomes a tool for interpretive messaging. While visitors work on completing the image, park rangers can weave in scientific concepts, environmental change stories, and space exploration connections. This activity also drives home that satellite imagery is more than just a pretty picture – each pixel is also data that scientists use to better understand Earth and other worlds throughout our solar system. Bringing Space Down to Earth Some ways that Earth to Sky has implemented the activity at special events on public lands include: Death Valley Dark Sky Festival, California: Visitors were invited to color Landsat imagery of Earth’s Badwater Basin and MRO imagery of Mars’ Belva Crater. As they colored, Earth to Sky outreach specialists made connections between finding signs of water on the dry landscapes in both locations. Park After Dark, Minnesota: During this urban event hosted by Mississippi River & National Recreation Area in Minneapolis St. Paul, attendees worked together to color topographical maps of both the Moon’s familiar near side and its mysterious far side, using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The striking differences that emerged through their coloring sparked questions about why the Moon’s two hemispheres appear so dramatically different, leading to rich discussions about lunar formation and geological change. Patuxent Wildlife Refuge Open House, Maryland: Just miles from the urban centers of Baltimore and Washington DC, the Color-a-Pixel activity helped local community members visualize something they could feel but not easily see: the refuge’s role as a “cool island” in an urban heat landscape. Visitors colored Landsat imagery of the refuge and surrounding neighborhoods while examining heat maps showing temperature differences between developed areas and the protected green space. The activity helped residents understand the refuge’s importance beyond wildlife habitat. All of these activities are available on the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) website in a pre-generated format ready for printing. A Colorful Collaboration The collaboration between NESEC and Earth to Sky brings complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences in engaging and relevant ways. Earth to Sky’s community of practice –now including more than 2,000 interpreters and environmental educators – reaches millions of visitors annually across the country’s parks, refuges, and nature centers. Theresa Schwerin, who leads NESEC, noted that Color-a-Pixel originally started as a simple idea for a tabletop activity to use at conferences and public events. “I wanted something hands-on that could draw people in and start conversations as simple as ‘these beautiful NASA images from space are data’ and talk about different NASA missions and how they are relevant to people’s lives. There’s also an opportunity to invite the public to contribute to NASA science by participating in citizen science projects … [some of which] can fill in the details of the pixels with information that complements NASA’s view from space.” Andrew Clark, a data scientist and engineer at IGES, created the Color-a-Pixel poster generator, which has gone through several iterations to make it more effective. Schwerin noted, “I’ve used this at several public events. Kids will jump right in, with parents watching over their shoulders. Soon enough, the entire family is coloring together and asking questions about the image and NASA. I am thrilled about our collaboration with Earth to Sky that is taking this even further.” As environmental challenges increasingly affect public lands, this collaboration helps visitors understand these issues through NASA’s unique perspective from above. The activity also introduces learners of all ages to the broader value of NASA’s Earth science missions alongside its more well-known space exploration endeavors. Continuing to Color Outside the Lines Looking ahead, the Earth to Sky partnership plans to continue using this activity in each new place they host a training. Most recently, Earth to Sky shared the activity with 417 visitors to the Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center, where local families colored in topographical Moon maps to prepare for International Observe the Moon Night. Additionally, a recording of a recent Color-a-Pixel webinar with NESEC’s Theresa Schwerin is available on the Earth to Sky website for interpreters and informal educators interested in implementing this place-based activity. Free registration is required to access this (and dozens of other) webinar recordings. The success of this collaboration demonstrates how seemingly simple activities – enhanced with NASA science – can create meaningful learning experiences that resonate with visitors long after they leave a park or refuge. For interpreters, educators, or NASA enthusiasts interested in bringing the Color-a-Pixel activity to their own sites or events, pre-generated activities are available in the gallery at: [Hidden Content]. NASA science is helping humanity discover new perspectives on both our home planet and the universe beyond, one crayon at a time. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: [Hidden Content]. Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 Editor NASA Science Editorial Team Related Terms Science Activation Explore More 5 min read Helio Highlights: October 2025 Since we all have a relationship with the Sun, it is important to learn about… Article 2 months ago 4 min read From City Lights to Moonlight: NASA Training Shows How Urban Parks Can Connect Communities with Space Science Article 2 months ago 3 min read NASA Helps Connect Astronomers and Community Colleges Across the Nation Article 2 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA James Webb Space Telescope Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the… Perseverance Rover This rover and its aerial sidekick were assigned to study the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient microbial… Parker Solar Probe On a mission to “touch the Sun,” NASA’s Parker Solar Probe became the first spacecraft to fly through the corona… Juno NASA’s Juno spacecraft entered orbit around Jupiter in 2016, the first explorer to peer below the planet’s dense clouds to… View the full article

Technicians with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team use a crane to lift and secure NASA’s Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket in High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, for the agency’s Artemis II mission. Set to launch in 2026, the spacecraft will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (********* Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back. Once stacked, teams will begin conducting a series of verification tests ahead of rolling out to Launch Complex 39B for the wet dress rehearsal at NASA Kennedy. NASA/Kim Shiflett As 2026 nears, NASA continues moving forward to launching and flying Artemis II, the first crewed mission under the Artemis campaign, no later than April next year. NASA’s Orion spacecraft, complete with its launch abort system escape tower, is now integrated with the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Following Orion stacking, teams completed testing critical communications systems between SLS and Orion, and confirmed the interfaces function properly between the rocket, Orion, and the ground systems, including end-to-end testing with the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network, which aid in communications and navigation. “NASA remains focused on getting ready to safely fly four astronauts around the Moon and back,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. “Our mission will lay the groundwork for future missions to the lunar surface and to Mars.” In the coming weeks, engineers and the Artemis II crew will conduct the first part of a Countdown Demonstration Test at Kennedy, a dress rehearsal for launch day. The crew will don their Orion crew survival system spacesuits and venture to their rocket before being secured inside Orion, which the crew recently named Integrity, simulating the final moments of the countdown. Because the rocket and spacecraft are not yet at the launch pad, the crew will board Orion inside the VAB. The test will serve as a final verification of the timeline for the crew and supporting teams on the ground. A second part of the test, preparing for an emergency at the launch pad, will occur after the rocket and spacecraft roll out to Launch Pad 39B. NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, and the remaining Artemis II crew members walk on the crew access arm of the mobile launcher in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. NASA/Kim Shiflett The Artemis II crew and ground personnel responsible for launching and flying the mission are preparing to conduct additional integrated simulations across teams and facilities to prepare for any scenario that could arise as the crew of four launches from Florida and flies their approximately 10-day mission. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (********* Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, have a busy schedule over the next several months reviewing procedures for all phases of flight until their preparations are second nature, practicing for different mission scenarios, and maintaining their familiarity with every element of their spacecraft. Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars. NASAView the full article

The X-59 is shown during its historic first flight flown by NASA test pilot Nils Larson.NASA/Lori Losey NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft took off for its historic first flight on Oct. 28 at 11:14 a.m. EDT from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. The one-of-a-kind aircraft flew for 67 minutes before landing and taxiing to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. NASA test pilot Nils Larson flew the X-59 up to an altitude of about 12,000 feet and an approximate top speed of 230 mph, precisely as planned. The plane’s landing gear remained down during the entire flight, a common practice for experimental aircraft flying for the first time. Now that the X-59’s first flight is in the books, the team is focused on preparing for a series of test flights where the aircraft will operate at higher altitudes and supersonic speeds. This test flight phase of NASA’s Quesst mission will ensure the X-59 meets performance and safety expectations. Through the Quesst mission, NASA aims to usher in a new age of quiet supersonic flight, achieved through the unique design and technology of the X-59 in future supersonic transport aircraft. Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 EditorMaria WerriesContactKristen Hatfield*****@*****.tld Related TermsAeronauticsAmes Research CenterArmstrong Flight Research CenterGlenn Research CenterIntegrated Aviation Systems ProgramLangley Research CenterLow ***** Flight DemonstratorQuesst (X-59)Supersonic Flight Explore More 1 min read X-59 First Flight Media Resources Article 44 minutes ago 5 min read NASA’s X-59 Completes First Flight, Prepares for More Flight Testing Article 19 hours ago 3 min read NASA, Industry Weave Data Fabric with Artificial Intelligence Air taxis and drones navigate different flight zones with NASA-inspired system Article 3 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Aeronautics Quesst Quesst is NASA's mission to demonstrate how the X-59 can fly supersonic without generating loud sonic booms and then survey… Integrated Aviation Systems Program View the full article

6 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Researchers used data taken in March 2023 by an airborne imaging spectrometer to map ammonia emissions in the Imperial Valley. Produced by agricultural activities as well as geothermal processes, ammonia is a precursor to particulate matter, which can cause adverse health outcomes when inhaled.NASA/JPL-Caltech The pungent gas contributes to fine airborne particulate pollution, which endangers human health when inhaled and absorbed in the bloodstream. A recent study led by scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the nonprofit Aerospace Corporation shows how high-resolution maps of ground-level ammonia plumes can be generated with airborne sensors, highlighting a way to better track the gas. A key chemical ingredient of fine particulate matter — tiny particles in the air known to be harmful when inhaled — ammonia can be released through agricultural activities such as livestock farming and geothermal power generation as well as natural geothermal processes. Because it’s not systematically monitored, many sources of the pungent gas go undetected. Published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics in October, the study focuses on a series of 2023 research flights that covered the Imperial Valley to the southeast of the Salton Sea in inland Southern California, as well as the Eastern Coachella Valley to its northwest. Prior satellite-based research has identified the Imperial Valley as a prolific source of gaseous ammonia. In the study, scientists employed an airborne sensor capable of resolving ammonia plumes with enough detail to track their origins: Aerospace Corporation’s Mako instrument is an imaging spectrometer that observes long-wave infrared light emitted by areas of Earth’s surface and atmosphere 6 feet (2 meters) across. Using the instrument, which can detect ammonia’s chemical signature by the infrared light it absorbs, the authors found elevated levels of the gas near several sources, including agricultural fields, livestock feedlots, geothermal plants, and geothermal vents. Measurements in parts of the Imperial Valley were 2½ to eight times higher than in Coachella Valley’s Mecca community, which had ammonia concentrations closer to background levels. Though not toxic on its own in low concentrations, ammonia is a precursor to particulate matter, also known as aerosol or particle pollution. It reacts with other gases to form solid ammonium salt particles small enough to penetrate the bloodstream from the lungs. Particles under 2.5 micrometers in diameter — also known as PM2.5 — are associated with elevated rates of asthma, lung *******, and cardiovascular disease, among other negative health outcomes. “Historically, more attention has focused on primary sources of PM2.5, such as auto emissions. But with significant reductions in those emissions and increasingly stringent air quality standards, there is growing interest in understanding secondary sources that form particles in the air from precursor gases,” said Sina Hasheminassab, lead author of the paper and a research scientist at JPL. “As an important precursor to PM2.5, ammonia plays a key role, but its emissions are poorly characterized and undermonitored.” Rising ammonia Previous satellite-based studies have shown rising levels of atmospheric ammonia, both globally and in the continental United States. That research revealed broad trends, but with spatial resolution on the order of tens of miles, the measurements were only sufficient to identify variation over areas of hundreds of square miles or more. The chemical behavior of ammonia also poses a particular monitoring challenge: Once emitted, it only stays in the atmosphere for hours before reacting with other compounds. In contrast, carbon dioxide can remain in the air for centuries. Planes and satellites can provide an overview of sources and the geographic distribution of emissions at a given moment. Although satellites offer wider and more recurrent coverage, airborne instruments, being closer to the source, produce higher-resolution data and can focus on specific locations at designated times. Those proved to be the right capabilities for the recent study. Researchers flew Mako over the Imperial and Eastern Coachella valleys on the mornings and afternoons of March 28 and Sept. 25, 2023, and took concurrent measurements on the ground with both a fixed monitoring station in Mecca operated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and a mobile spectrometer developed at the University of California, Riverside. “The goal was to show that this technique was capable of delivering data with the required accuracy that aerosol scientists and potentially even air quality regulatory bodies could use to improve the air quality in those regions,” said David Tratt, a senior scientist at Aerospace Corporation and coauthor of the paper. “We ended up with maps that identify multiple sources of ammonia, and we were able to track the plumes from their sources and observe them coalescing into larger clouds.” Distinct plumes During the flights, the team collected data over the southeastern coast of the Salton Sea, which straddles Riverside and Imperial counties. There, Mako revealed small plumes coming from geothermal fumaroles venting superheated water and steam that react with nitrogen-bearing compounds in the soil, releasing ammonia. Farther to the southeast, the results showed several geothermal power plants emitting ammonia, primarily from their cooling towers, as part of their normal operations. Farther southeast still, the researchers spotted ammonia emissions, a byproduct of animal waste, from cattle farms in the Imperial Valley. During the March 28 flight, a plume from the largest facility in the study area measured up to 1.7 miles (2.8 kilometers) wide and extended up to 4.8 miles (7.7 kilometers) downwind of the source. ‘Very large puzzle’ As part of the study, AQMD’s Mecca monitoring station recorded seasonal changes in ammonia concentrations. Given the few sources in the area, the researchers surmised that winds during certain months tend to blow the gas from Imperial Valley to the Coachella Valley. The study underscores the benefits of detailed spatial information about ammonia emissions, and it partly informed the agency’s decision in July to expand its ammonia-monitoring network and extend the life of the Mecca station. As a precursor to PM2.5, ammonia is “one piece of a very large puzzle” that, for Coachella Valley residents, includes vehicle emissions, desert dust, and agricultural activities, said Payam Pakbin, manager of the Advanced Monitoring Technologies Unit at AQMD and a paper coauthor. “These communities want to know the contributions of these sources to the air quality they’re experiencing,” he added. “Findings like these help our agency better prioritize which sources require the most attention and ultimately guide our focus toward those that are the highest priority for achieving emission reductions in this community.” NASA Studies Wildflowers From the Air NASA Maps Critical Minerals With High-Altitude Aircraft NASA Helps Spot Wine Grape Disease From the Skies News Media Contacts Andrew Wang / Andrew Good Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 626-379-6874 / 626-840-4291 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld 2025-129 Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 Related TermsMAIA (Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols)Airborne ScienceEarthEarth Science Explore More 2 min read SARP 2025 Closeout Article 20 hours ago 9 min read SARP East 2025 Atmospheric Chemistry Group Article 20 hours ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Terrestrial Fluxes Group Article 20 hours ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics Explore Earth Science From its origins, NASA has studied our planet in novel ways, using a fleet of satellites and ambitious airborne and ground-based… Earth Science at Work NASA Earth Science helps Americans respond to challenges and societal needs — such as wildland fires, hurricanes, and water supplies… Earth Science Data Earth Science Missions In order to study the Earth as a whole system and understand how it is changing, NASA develops and supports… View the full article

1 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) ​Media Contact Quesst Media Lead: Kristen Hatfield, 757-817-5522 First Flight Videos First Flight Highlight Reel (1:43) First Flight Extended B-Roll (7:39) Articles NASA’s X-59 Completes First Flight, Prepares for More Flight Testing First Flight Images NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft lifts off for its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft’s first flight marks the start of flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, the result of years of design, integration, and ground testing and begins a new chapter in NASA’s aeronautics research legacy.NASA/Carla Thomas NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft lifts off for its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft’s first flight marks the start of flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, the result of years of design, integration, and ground testing and begins a new chapter in NASA’s aeronautics research legacy.NASA/Carla Thomas NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, on its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The aircraft will travel to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where it will begin flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight over land.NASA/Jim Ross NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, on its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, accompanied by a NASA F-15 research aircraft. The F-15 monitored the X-59 during the flight as it traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where it will begin flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight over land.NASA/Jim Ross NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft cruises above Palmdale and Edwards, California, during its first flight, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The aircraft will traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.NASA/Lori Losey The X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft arrives at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, following its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The arrival marks the aircraft’s transition from ground testing to flight operations. Next, the aircraft will undergo scheduled maintenance followed by a series of additional test flights, gradually building toward its first supersonic flight.NASA/Genaro Vavuris NASA test pilot Nils Larson steps out of the X-59 after successfully completing the aircraft’s first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The mission marked a key milestone in advancing NASA’s Quesst mission to enable quiet supersonic flight over land.NASA/Genaro Vavuris More X-59 imagery is available in NASA’s Quesst Image Gallery Historical Resources Taxi Test B-Roll X-59 reveal Biographies Peter Coen Cathy Bahm Brian Griffin Nils Larson Jim Less Quesst Media Resources Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 EditorMaria WerriesContactKristen Hatfield*****@*****.tld Related TermsQuesst (X-59) Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 5 min read NASA’s X-59 Completes First Flight, Prepares for More Flight Testing Article 19 hours ago 5 min read NASA’s X-59 Moves Toward First Flight at Speed of Safety Article 2 months ago 3 min read NASA Rehearses How to Measure X-59’s Noise Levels Article 4 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Aeronautics STEM Quesst: Media Resources Explore NASA’s History Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 EditorMaria WerriesContactKristen Hatfield*****@*****.tld Related TermsQuesst (X-59) View the full article

3 Min Read I Am Artemis: Ethan Jacobs Listen to this audio excerpt from Ethan Jacobs, a helicopter pilot and member of the Colorado Army National Guard developing a foundational flight training course for Artemis astronauts: 0:00 / 0:00 Your browser does not support the audio element. High above the Rocky Mountains, Ethan Jacobs is helping NASA preparing to land people on the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. NASA will send astronauts to the lunar South Pole during the Artemis III mission and beyond. As part of their journeys, crew will travel in a human landing system that will safely transport them from lunar orbit to the lunar surface and back. Jacobs, a chief warrant officer with the Colorado National Guard and helicopter pilot for 20 years, both privately, and with the U.S. Army active duty and National Guard, has been working with NASA to develop a foundational training course at the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, near Gypsum, Colorado. The culmination of that work is a NASA-certified foundational training course for astronauts that exposes them to the challenges of vertical flight profiles and landing in extreme conditions. The challenging conditions we fly in replicates – as much as possible here on Earth – some of the challenges astronauts will face when landing on the Moon. Ethan Jacobs Chief Warrant Officer, Colorado Army National Guard Colorado’s challenging terrain, dusty and white-out conditions in certain places, and high desert landscape make it an ideal setting for replicating a lunar environment for flight. In addition, there can be flat light where there is little to no shadow, all of which can create visual illusions and challenge a crew’s sense of depth perception. And a lot of the visual illusions the NASA astronauts training at the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site experience are eye-opening. “I teach the astronauts how to distinguish slopes in degraded visual conditions because we normally judge slope by shadows and changes in vegetation color,” Jacobs said. “But these conditions in the Colorado mountains can be monochromatic, like on the Moon.” On a typical flight in a UH-72 Lakota helicopter, Jacobs sits in the front with one astronaut crew member and another astronaut sits in the back. Jacobs trains the astronaut team on how best to identify and overcome visual and cognitive illusions while evaluating techniques and team dynamics. Working with NASA, Jacobs and his team have studied maps of the lunar terrain, then located similar landing zones in the Colorado mountains. Colorado National Guard Chief Warrant Officer and military helicopter pilot Ethan Jacobs stands in the hangar bay at the High-Altitude Army National Guard Training Site near Gypsum, Colorado. NASA and the Colorado Army National Guard are partnering on a simulated lander flight training course for Artemis in the mountains of northern Colorado. Jacobs is the lead instructor and helped to develop the course. NASA/Charles Beason Colorado National Guard Chief Warrant Officer and military helicopter pilot Ethan Jacobs stands in the hangar bay at the High-Altitude Army National Guard Training Site near Gypsum, Colorado. NASA and the Colorado Army National Guard are partnering on a simulated lander flight training course for Artemis in the mountains of northern Colorado. Jacobs is the lead instructor and helped to develop the course. NASA/Charles Beason Colorado National Guard Chief Warrant Officer and military helicopter pilot Ethan Jacobs stands in the hangar bay at the High-Altitude Army National Guard Training Site near Gypsum, Colorado. NASA and the Colorado Army National Guard are partnering on a simulated lander flight training course for Artemis in the mountains of northern Colorado. Jacobs is the lead instructor and helped to develop the course.NASA/Charles Beason “The two-person astronaut crew has to work together, communicate, and navigate with real-world consequences,” Jacobs said. “Fuel is burning and they can’t press the pause button like in a simulator. I try to expose them to as many different conditions and various landing zones as possible.” At the end of the day, adaptability is key to successfully landing in extreme conditions. Ethan Jacobs Chief Warrant Officer, Colorado Army National Guard NASA recently certified the course, marking a milestone in preparing for the future Artemis III crew. Since 2021, astronauts with NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) have taken part in the high-altitude aviation course have proven to be receptive to the training and adaptable to expanding their piloting skills, Jacobs said. Artemis astronauts will receive specialized training on the specific lander for their mission from NASA’s commercial providers, SpaceX and Blue Origin. The training course, along with simulators and specialized crew training, provides fundamental coursework that will allow Artemis astronauts to be best prepared to land on the lunar surface. Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars for the benefit of all. For more information about Artemis visit: [Hidden Content] Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 EditorLee MohonContactCorinne M. Beckinger*****@*****.tldLocationMarshall Space Flight Center Related TermsI Am ArtemisArtemisHuman Landing System ProgramMarshall Space Flight Center Explore More 4 min read NASA Uses Colorado Mountains for Simulated Artemis Moon Landing Course Article 2 months ago 5 min read NASA, Army National Guard Partner on Flight Training for Moon Landing Article 3 months ago 3 min read NASA Opens 2026 Human Lander Challenge for Life Support Systems, More Article 2 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Human Landing System Artemis Marshall Space Flight Center Artemis II Four astronauts will fly around the Moon to test NASA's foundational human deep space exploration capabilities, the Space Launch System… View the full article

3 min read New Citizen Science Proposals Funded in 2025 NASA has selected 10 new citizen science proposals for funding in 2025. These selections provide a preview of what’s coming next for NASA citizen science. Note that these investigations are research grants: some of them will result in new opportunities for the public, while others will analyze or build on results from earlier citizen science projects. Citizen Science Seed Funding Program (CSSFP) The CSSFP aims to support scientists and other experts to develop citizen science projects and expand the pool of scientists who use citizen science techniques in their science investigations. Four divisions of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate are participating in the CSSFP: the Astrophysics Division, the Biological and Physical Sciences Division, the Heliophysics Division, and the Planetary Science Division. Seven new investigations were recently selected through this program: Astrophysics Division Cosmic Cataclysms and Citizen Science: Rapidly Observing High-Energy Phenomena with a Global Telescope Network, PI: Thomas Esposito, SETI Institute. Follow up gamma-ray bursts (GRB), compact object mergers, supernovae, and cataclysmic variables using your backyard telescope. Spiral Graph: Cluster Buster – A Participatory Science Project to Improve the Identification of Spiral Arms from All-Sky Survey Galaxy Images, PI Patrick Treuthardt, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences. Help measure the spiral arms of galaxies to reveal the masses of their central ****** holes! Planetary Science Division Rubin Comet Catchers: Discovering the Comets of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) with Citizen Science, PI Colin Chandler, University of Washington. Join the hunt for comets by scanning images from the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). Search for Thunderstorms in Cassini Images of Jupiter and Saturn, PI Ulyana Dyudina, Space Science Institute, Help refine current estimates of the cooling effect of thunderstorms on Jupiter and Saturn! There are Billions! A Platform for Impact Crater Vetting Across the Solar System, PI Petr Pokorny, Catholic University of America, Help spot craters in images from NASA’s MESSENGER, LRO, and Dawn missions! SPHERExplorer: Identifying Newly Appearing Phenomena in the Near- and Mid-Infrared with Citizen Science, PI Steven Silverberg, Eureka Scientific, Inc, Identify new sources (e.g. new solar system objects, interstellar objects, supernovae) and identify changes in previously known sources (e.g. newly active asteroids) in images from NASA’s Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) mission! Heliophysics Division DEMO-ML: DisEntangling Magnetosheath Observations for a Machine-Learning-Ready Dataset, PI Vicki Toy-Edens, Johns Hopkins University, The magnetosheath is the plasma region that lies between the Sun’s powerful solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere. Help catalog magnetosheath regions with data from NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) to explore magnetic reconnection, turbulence, and energy transfer in the magnetosphere! Explore citizen science awards from previous years: January 2024 September 2023 August 2022 July 2021 For more information on NASA’s citizen science programs, visit [Hidden Content]. Facebook logo @nasascience @nasascience Instagram logo @nasascience Linkedin logo @nasascience Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 Related TermsCitizen Science Explore More 1 min read Help Map the Moon’s Molten Flows! Article 2 months ago 2 min read Lettuce Find Healthy Space Food! Citizen Scientists Study Space Salads Article 2 months ago 1 min read Webinar Series: Teaching with EMERGE & GLOBE Mission Mosquito Article 2 months ago View the full article

4 min read NASA’s TESS Spacecraft Triples Size of Pleiades Star Cluster These young, hot blue stars are members of the Pleiades open star cluster and resides about 430 light-years away in the northern constellation Taurus. The brightest stars are visible to the unaided eye during evenings from October to April. A new study finds the cluster to be triple the size previously thought — and shows that its stars are scattered across the night sky. The Schmidt telescope at the Palomar Observatory in California captured this color-composite image.NASA, ESA and AURA/Caltech Astronomers have revolutionized our understanding of a collection of stars in the northern sky called the Pleiades. They used data from NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) and other observatories as NASA explores the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all, from the Moon to Mars and beyond. By examining the rotation, chemistry, and orbit around the Milky Way of members of several different nearby stellar groups, the scientists identified a continuum of more than 3,000 stars arcing across 1,900 light-years. This Greater Pleiades Complex triples the number of stars associated with the Pleiades and opens new approaches for discovering similar dispersed star clusters in the future. “The Pleiades are very well studied — we often use them as a benchmark in astronomical observations,” said Andrew Boyle, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “When I started this research, I didn’t expect the cluster to balloon to the size that it did. It really touches on a human note. In the Northern Hemisphere, we’ve been looking up at the Pleiades and telling stories about them for thousands of years, but there’s so much more to them than we knew.” A paper about the result, led by Boyle, published Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the Astrophysical Journal. This image shows two-thirds of the night sky, illustrating the vast extent of the Greater Pleiades Complex. Original stellar members of the Pleiades, sometimes called Messier 45, appear as blue dots. Newly identified members are in yellow. The constellations are outlined and labeled in green.NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center; background, ESA/Gaia/DPAC; Boyle et. al. 2025 The Pleiades is a bright cluster of stars, also known as Messier 45. This loose grouping of about 1,000 members was born roughly 100 million years ago from the same molecular cloud, a cold dense patch of gas and dust. About six of the stars in the cluster are visible to the unaided eye during evenings from October to April in the northern constellation Taurus. This collection has also been known since antiquity as the Seven Sisters, although the seventh star is no longer visible. Boyle and his team initially identified over 10,000 stars that could be related to the Pleiades. These stars were orbiting at a similar rate around our Milky Way galaxy according to data from ESA’s (European Space Agency) Gaia satellite. They narrowed down that collection using stellar rotation data from TESS. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Watch how a star’s rotation slows with age in this artist’s concept of a Sun-like star. The number of star spots also decreases with age.NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center NASA’s TESS mission scans a wide swath of the sky for about a month at a time, looking for variations in the light from stars to spot orbiting planets. This technique also allows TESS to identify and monitor asteroids out to large distances, determining their spin and refining their shape. Such observations improve our understanding of asteroids in our solar system, which can aid in planetary defense. Scientists can also use TESS data to determine how fast the stars are rotating by looking at regular fluctuations in their light caused when dark surface features called star spots come in and out of view. Because stellar rotation slows as stars age, the researchers were able to pick out the stars that were about the same age as the Pleiades. The team also looked at the chemical abundances in potential members using data from ground-based missions like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which is led by a consortium of institutions. “The core of the Pleiades is chemically distinct from the average star in a few elements like magnesium and silicon,” said Luke Bouma, a co-author and fellow at the Carnegie Science Observatories in Pasadena, California. “The other stars that we propose are part of the Greater Pleiades are chemically distinct in the same way. The combination of these three major lines of evidence — Milky Way orbits, ages, and chemistry — tells me that we’re on the right path when making these connections.” The team members think that all the stars in the Greater Pleiades Complex formed in a tighter collection, like the stars in the young Orion cluster, about 100 million years ago. Over time, the cluster dispersed due to the explosive forces of internal supernovae and from the tidal forces of our galaxy’s gravity. The result is a stream of stars arcing across the sky from horizon to horizon. This image shows an all-sky view of the Greater Pleiades Complex with the plane of our Milky Way running through the middle. Members of the original open cluster are in blue, and new members are in yellow. The constellations are outlined and labeled in green.NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center; background, ESA/Gaia/DPAC; Boyle et. al. 2025 Boyle and Bouma are now working on what they call the TESS All-Sky Rotation Survey. This database will allow researchers to access the rotation information for over 8 million stars to discover even more hidden stellar connections like the Greater Pleiades Complex. “Thanks to TESS, this team was able to shed new light on a fixture of astronomy,” said Allison Youngblood, the TESS project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “From distant stars and planets to asteroids in our solar system and machine learning models here on Earth, TESS continues to push the boundaries of what we can accomplish with large datasets that capture just a part of the complexity of our universe.” Download images through NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio. By Jeanette Kazmierczak NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Media Contact: Claire Andreoli 301-286-1940 NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Facebook logo @NASAUniverse @NASAUniverse Instagram logo @NASAUniverse Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 Related TermsTESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite)AstrophysicsGalaxies, Stars, & ****** Holes ResearchGoddard Space Flight CenterStar ClustersStarsStellar EvolutionThe UniverseVisible or Optical Light View the full article

Huy Nguyen is an electrical controls engineer at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, where his work has contributed to NASA’s Artemis program that will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars. NASA/Danny Nowlin Huy Nguyen grew up hearing about rocket engines and space flight around the family table. His parents worked for NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, and those early conversations eventually started his path to NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. “They both created a household that allowed me to be curious and to be a problem solver,” Nguyen said. The dinner conversations have come full circle as the New Orleans native finds himself applying that same curiosity and problem-solving mindset at NASA Stennis. Nguyen is currently the electrical controls engineer for propulsion testing support areas, which include the NASA Stennis High Pressure Gas Facility and the High Pressure Industrial Water Facility. “Both areas are considered the heart and powerhouse of testing,” Nguyen said. His work involves two key challenges: maintaining legacy systems with hard-to-find replacement parts and modernizing them with robust control systems that offer better monitoring and maintenance capabilities. What energizes Nguyen most is bridging old and new technology by creating improved user interfaces and integrating modern controls with existing infrastructure. “This is what excites me about my work,” he said. One of the most exciting moments in Nguyen’s NASA career came with the successful Green Run test series at NASA Stennis for NASA’s Artemis campaign to return humans to the Moon. The test series helped validate the first SLS (Space Launch System) core stage for the Artemis I test flight around the Moon, setting the stage for the Artemis II test flight when four astronauts will fly around the Moon in early 2026. As the engineer overseeing controls operations for the NASA Stennis High Pressure Gas Facility and High Pressure Industrial Water Facility, Nguyen had a critical responsibility leading to the Green Run test series. He ensured the complex systems ran flawlessly to supply helium, nitrogen, air, and water for SLS core stage testing. It turned into a career highlight. “It was a lot of work to set it up and then run it around the clock for 24 hours,” Nguyen recalled. For an entire day, multiple systems had to operate in perfect harmony, supplying everything the massive SLS core stage needed for a sitewide stress test. “Seeing everyone focused on a single goal like that was truly amazing,” he said. Engineers, technicians, and support staff worked in shifts around the clock. Each person knew their role was essential to the mission’s success. It was the kind of teamwork his NASA parents likely witnessed countless times, and now Nguyen experienced it himself. The 24-hour exercise helped make way for a historic milestone at NASA Stennis. The Green Run testing series reached its conclusion on March 18, 2021, when the SLS core stage fired its four RS-25 engines for a full mission duration of 8 minutes and 19 seconds. The final Green Run hot fire represented the most powerful propulsion test at the center in more than 40 years. As NASA prepares for Artemis II, Nguyen’s work upgrading these critical facilities ensures NASA Stennis will remain ready to support humanity’s next giant leaps into deep space. When Artemis II launches in 2026, Nguyen looks forward to watching the test flight around the Moon with his parents, who inspired him as a young boy, and his young nephews. “My nephews are currently obsessed with cars and trucks, so I hope Artemis II will expose them to space travel,” Nguyen said. Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars and inspire the next generation of explorers. Learn More About Careers at NASA Stennis Explore More 2 min read NASA Makes Webby 30s List of Most Iconic, Influential on Internet Article 2 months ago 5 min read Crossroads to the Future – NASA Stennis Grows into a Model Federal City Article 2 months ago 4 min read NASA Stennis Provides Ideal Location for Range of Site Tenants Article 2 months ago View the full article

Lee esta nota de prensa en español aqui. A team of researchers has confirmed stars ring loud and clear in a “key” that will harmonize well with the science goals and capabilities of NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. This artist’s concept visualizes the Sun and several red giant stars of varying radii. NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will be well suited for studying red giant stars with a method known as asteroseismology. This approach entails studying the changes in stars’ overall brightness, which is caused by their turbulent interiors creating waves and oscillations. With asteroseismic detections, astronomers can learn about stars’ ages, masses, and sizes. Scientists estimate Roman will be able to detect a total of 300,000 red giant stars with this method. This would be the largest sample of its kind ever collected.Credit: NASA, STScI, Ralf Crawford (STScI) Stars’ turbulent natures produce waves that cause fluctuations in their overall brightness. By studying these changes — a method called asteroseismology — scientists can glean information about stars’ ages, masses, and sizes. These shifts in brightness were perceptible to NASA’s Kepler space telescope, which provided asteroseismic data on approximately 16,000 stars before its retirement in 2018. Using Kepler data as a starting point and adapting the dataset to match the expected quality from Roman, astronomers have recently proven the feasibility of asteroseismology with the soon-to-launch telescope and provided an estimated range of detectable stars. It’s an added bonus to Roman’s main science goals: As the telescope conducts observations for its Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey — a core community survey that will gather data on hundreds of millions of stars in the bulge of our Milky Way galaxy — it will also provide enough information for astronomers to determine stellar measurements via asteroseismology. “Asteroseismology with Roman is possible because we don’t need to ask the telescope to do anything it wasn’t already planning to do,” said Marc Pinsonneault of The Ohio State University in Columbus, a co-author of a paper detailing the research. “The strength of the Roman mission is remarkable: It’s designed in part to advance exoplanet science, but we’ll also get really rich data for other scientific areas that extend beyond its main focus.” Exploring what’s possible The galactic bulge is densely populated with red giant branch and red clump stars, which are more evolved and puffier than main sequence stars. (Main sequence stars are in a similar life stage as our Sun.) Their high luminosity and oscillating frequency, ranging from hours to days, work in Roman’s favor. As part of its Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey, the telescope will observe the Milky Way’s galactic bulge every 12 minutes over six 70.5-day stretches, a cadence that makes it particularly well suited for red giant asteroseismology. While previous research has explored the potential of asteroseismology with Roman, the team took a more detailed look by considering Roman’s capabilities and mission design. Their investigation consisted of two large efforts: First, the team members looked at Kepler’s asteroseismic data and applied parameters so the dataset matched the expected quality of Roman data. This included increasing the observation frequency and adjusting the wavelength range of light. The team calculated detection probabilities, which confirmed with a resounding yes that Roman will be able to detect the oscillations of red giants. The team then applied their detection probabilities to a model of the Milky Way galaxy and considered the suggested fields of view for the galactic bulge survey to get a sense of how many red giants and red clump stars could be investigated with asteroseismology. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This sonification is based on a simulation of data that NASA’s Roman Space Telescope will collect after its launch as soon as fall 2026. The sonification converts the waves moving inside red giant stars into sound. These pressure waves cause tiny changes in brightness that Roman can measure. ******* stars take longer for the waves to bounce around, which means brightness changes have lower frequencies. Here, those frequencies are turned into sound and sped up so we can hear them. The first sound in the sonification comes from the Sun to give a sense of scale (even though Roman won’t look at the Sun). It then moves on to ******* and ******* red giants, with the pitch changing for each one. Astronomers can calculate a star’s size and other properties by measuring these frequencies. An audio-described version is available for download at the bottom of the page. Credit: Video: NASA, STScI; Sonification: Christopher Britt (STScI), Martha Irene Saladino (STScI); Designer: Ralf Crawford (STScI); Science: Noah Downing (OSU), Trevor Weiss (CSU) “At the time of our study, the core community survey was not fully defined, so we explored a few different models and simulations. Our lower limit estimation was 290,000 objects in total, with 185,000 stars in the bulge,” said Trevor Weiss of California State University, Long Beach, co-first author of the paper. “Now that we know the survey will entail a 12-minute cadence, we find it strengthens our numbers to over 300,000 asteroseismic detections in total. It would be the largest asteroseismic sample ever collected.” Bolstering science for all The benefits of asteroseismology with Roman are numerous, including tying into exoplanet science, a major focus for the mission and the galactic bulge survey. Roman will detect exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system, through a method called microlensing, in which the gravity of a foreground star magnifies the light from a background star. The presence of an exoplanet can cause a noticeable “blip” in the resulting brightness change. “With asteroseismic data, we’ll be able to get a lot of information about exoplanets’ host stars, and that will give us a lot of insight on exoplanets themselves,” Weiss said. “It will be difficult to directly infer ages and the abundances of heavy elements like iron for the host stars of exoplanets Roman detects,” Pinsonneault said. “Knowing these things — age and composition — can be important for understanding the exoplanets. Our work will lay out the statistical properties of the whole population — what the typical abundances and ages are — so that the exoplanet scientists can put the Roman measurements in context.” Additionally, for astronomers who seek to understand the history of the Milky Way galaxy, asteroseismology could reveal information about its formation. “We actually don’t know a lot about our galaxy’s bulge since you can only see it in infrared light due to all the intervening dust,” Pinsonneault said. “There could be surprising populations or chemical patterns there. What if there are young stars buried there? Roman will open a completely different window into the stellar populations in the Milky Way’s center. I’m prepared to be surprised.” Since Roman is set to observe the galactic bulge soon after launch, the team is working to build a catalog in advance and provide a target list of observable stars that could help with efforts in validating the telescope’s early performance. “Outside of all the science, it’s important to remember the amount of people it takes to get these things up and running, and the amount of different people working on Roman,” said co-first author Noah Downing of The Ohio State University. “It’s really exciting to see all of the opportunities Roman is opening up for people before it even launches and then think about how many more opportunities will exist once it’s in space and taking data, which is not very far away.” Roman is slated to launch no later than May 2027, with the team working toward a potential early launch as soon as fall 2026. The paper was published in The Astrophysical Journal. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is managed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, with participation by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California; Caltech/IPAC in Pasadena, California; the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore; and a science team comprising scientists from various research institutions. The primary industrial partners are BAE Systems, Inc. in Boulder, Colorado; L3Harris Technologies in Melbourne, Florida; and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging in Thousand Oaks, California. To learn more about Roman, visit: [Hidden Content] By Abigail Major Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md. Additional Resources View All Video with audio descriptions Nov 19, 2025 MP4 (6.58 MB) Explore More 5 min read How NASA’s Roman Telescope Will Measure Ages of Stars Article 2 years ago 6 min read NASA’s Roman Mission Shares Detailed Plans to Scour Skies Article 7 months ago Share Details Last Updated Nov 20, 2025 EditorAshley BalzerContactAshley Balzer*****@*****.tldLocationGoddard Space Flight Center Related TermsNancy Grace Roman Space TelescopeGalaxiesKepler / K2StarsThe Milky WayThe Universe View the full article

NASA astronaut Jonny Kim poses for a portrait with the American flag inside the International Space Station’s “window to the world,” the cupola.NASA In 2025, NASA and its international partners celebrate 25 years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station. Since November 2, 2000, more than 290 people from 26 countries have lived and worked aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting thousands of experiments that have advanced science and technology on Earth and paved the way for Artemis missions to the Moon and future journeys to Mars. Beyond its role as a science platform, the station has been a bridge—connecting cultures, sparking creativity, and inspiring generations. The memories of Johnson Space Center employees reflect how the orbiting laboratory is not only an engineering marvel but also a deeply human endeavor. Christopher Brown – Advancing Life Support Systems for Future Exploration Christopher Brown (center) receives the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement alongside NASA astronaut Sunita Williams. NASA/James Blair As a space station Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) integrator, Christopher Brown’s role has been ensuring astronauts have clean air and water. ECLSS removes carbon dioxide from the air, supplies oxygen for breathing, and recycles wastewater—turning yesterday’s coffee into tomorrow’s coffee. Today, these systems can recover nearly 98% of the water brought to the station. His proudest memory was commissioning regenerative life support systems and raising a symbolic toast with the crew while on console in mission control. He also helped activate the Water Storage System, saving crew time and improving operations on station. For Brown, these milestones were vital steps toward future long-duration missions beyond Earth. Stephanie Sipila – The Heart of Microgravity Research NASA astronaut Kate Rubins works on the Cardinal Heart study, which seeks to help scientists understand the aging and weakening of heart muscles in the search for new treatments for astronauts and people on Earth. NASA/Mike Hopkins Stephanie Sipila, now integration manager for NASA’s Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program, began her career as a mechanical and robotic systems instructor for the orbital outpost. Her favorite experiment, Engineered Heart Tissues, studies microgravity’s effect on the human heart to help develop new treatments for cardiovascular disease. She recalls NASA astronaut Sunita Williams running the Boston Marathon on a treadmill aboard station, becoming the first person to complete the race in space and showing how astronauts stay connected to Earth while living on orbit. Sipila also highlights the Spacesuit Art Project, an initiative that turned artwork from children with ******* into spacesuits flown to and worn aboard the orbital outpost during live downlinks, connecting science, art, and hope — and raising awareness of ******* research conducted aboard the orbital outpost. Liz Warren – Where Exploration Meets Humanity NASA astronaut Jack Fischer wearing the Unity spacesuit painted by patients at MD Anderson ******* Center in Houston. NASA/****** Bresnik Space station Associate Chief Scientist Liz Warren has seen firsthand how the Spacesuit Art Project uplifted children on Earth. During Expedition 52, she watched astronaut Jack Fischer wear a suit covered in artwork created by young ******* patients, including his own daughter, a survivor. “It was incredibly touching to note the power of art and inspiration. Human spaceflight requires fortitude, resilience, and teamwork—so does fighting childhood *******,” Warren said. Her memories also extend to her time as an operations lead for NASA’s Human Research Program, which uses research to develop methods to protect the health and performance of astronauts in space to prepare for long-duration missions. While out for a weekend run, Warren received a call from the Payload Operations and Integration Center in Huntsville, Alabama. An astronaut on station, following a prescribed diet for a research study, wanted to swap out a food item. Warren coordinated with her support team and relayed the decision back to orbit—all while continuing her run. The moment, she recalls, underscored the constant, real-time connection between astronauts in space and teams on the ground. Adam Baker – Checkmate: Space Debris Cleanup Flight Director Chris Edelen, left, and capsule communicator Jay Marschke discuss their next chess move during a match with NASA astronaut Greg Chamitoff, Expedition 17 flight engineer aboard the space station.NASA/Robert Markowitz As an aerospace engineer, Adam Baker helped track experiments and spacecraft operations from mission control. Baker remembers when mission control played a live chess match with astronaut Greg Chamitoff during Expedition 17, a moment that showed the unique ways the station connects crews in orbit with people on Earth. His favorite technical project, though, was the RemoveDebris small satellite, deployed from the station in 2018 to test technologies for cleaning up space junk. “Knowing these experiments could one day help keep the orbital environment safe made it even more meaningful,” he said. Michael McFarlane – Training for Success Engineers run simulations inside Johnson’s Systems Engineering Simulator during a shuttle-to-station docking simulation.Smiley Pool/Houston Chronicle As chief of the Simulation and Graphics Branch, Michael McFarlane prepared astronauts for space station assembly missions using high-fidelity simulators. “My greatest memory is seeing the station grow as we successfully executed assembly missions that looked very much like what we analyzed and trained for in our ground-based simulations,” he said. A Legacy of Ingenuity and Community Date: 10-31-2023 Location: Bldg 30 MCC, ISS MER Subject: Mission Evaluation Room (MER) Halloween Celebration “MERloween” Photographer: James BlairNASA/James Blair In the Mission Evaluation Room, engineers not only troubleshoot in real time but also celebrate milestones with traditions like “MERloween,” where controllers dress in space-themed costumes to honor the year’s lessons learned. NASA’s SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft splashed down in the Gulf of America, off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, returning Crew-9 to Earth on March 18, 2025. NASA/Keegan Barber For social media consultant Mark Garcia, sharing the station story with the public has been the highlight of his career. His favorite moment was watching NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 splash down in 2025, greeted by dolphins in the Gulf of America. “I love writing about the science aboard the station that benefits people on Earth,” he said. For 25 years, the International Space Station has shown what humanity can accomplish together. The lessons learned aboard will guide Artemis missions to the Moon and future journeys to Mars—ensuring the next 25 years are built on innovation, resilience, and the human spirit. View the full article

5 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) After years of design, development, and testing, NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft took to the skies for the first time Oct. 28, marking a historic moment for the field of aeronautics research and the agency’s Quesst mission. The X-59, designed to fly at supersonic speeds and reduce the sound of loud sonic booms to quieter sonic thumps, took off at 11:14 a.m. EDT and flew for 67 minutes. The flight represents a major step toward quiet supersonic flight over land. “Once again, NASA and America are leading the way for the future of flight,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. “The X-59 is the first of its kind, and a major breakthrough in America’s push toward commercial air travel that’s both quiet and faster than ever before. Thanks to the X-59 team’s innovation and hard work, we’re revolutionizing air travel. This machine is a prime example of the kind of ingenuity and dedication America produces.” Following a short taxi from contractor Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility, NASA X-59 test pilot Nils Larson approached U.S. Air Force Plant 42’s runway in Palmdale, California, where he completed final system checks and called the tower for clearance. NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft cruises above Palmdale and Edwards, California, during its first flight, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The aircraft will traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.NASA/Lori Losey Then, with a deep breath, steady hands, and confidence in the labor of the X-59’s team, Larson advanced his throttle, picking up speed and beginning his climb – joining the few who have taken off in an experimental aircraft for the first time. “All the training, all the planning that you’ve done prepares you,” Larson said. “And there is a time when you realize the weight of the moment. But then the mission takes over. The checklist starts. And it’s almost like you don’t even realize until it’s all over – it’s done.” The X-59’s first flight went as planned, with the aircraft operating slower than the speed of sound at 230 mph and a maximum altitude of about 12,000 feet, conditions that allowed the team to conduct in-flight system and performance checks. As is typical for an experimental aircraft’s first flight, landing gear was kept down the entire time while the team focused on ensuring the aircraft’s airworthiness and safety. The aircraft traveled north to Edwards Air Force Base, circled before landing, and taxied to its new home at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, officially marking the transition from ground testing to flight operations. “In this industry, there’s nothing like a first flight,” said Brad Flick, center director of NASA Armstrong. “But there’s no recipe for how to fly an X-plane. You’ve got to figure it out, and adapt, and do the right thing, and make the right decisions.” NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, on its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The aircraft will travel to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where it will begin flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight over land.NASA/Jim Ross Historic flight The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission and its first flight connects with the agency’s roots of flying bold, experimental aircraft. “The X-59 is the first major, piloted X-plane NASA has built and flown in over 20 years – a unique, purpose-built aircraft,” said Bob Pearce, NASA associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. “This aircraft represents a validation of what NASA Aeronautics exists to do, which is to envision the future of flight and deliver it in ways that serve U.S. aviation and the public.” NASA Armstrong has a long history of flying X-planes that pushed the edges of flight. In 1947, the X-1 broke the sound barrier. More than a decade later, the X-15 pushed speed and altitude to new extremes. Starting in the 1960s, the X-24 shaped how we understand re-entry from space, and in the 1980s the X-29 tested forward-swept wings that challenged aerodynamic limits. Each of those aircraft helped answer a question about aeronautics. The X-59 continues that tradition with a mission focused on sound – reducing loud sonic booms to sonic thumps barely audible on the ground. The X-59 was built for one purpose: to prove that supersonic flight over land can be quiet enough for public acceptance. NASA test pilot Nils Larson steps out of the X-59 after successfully completing the aircraft’s first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The mission marked a key milestone in advancing NASA’s Quesst mission to enable quiet supersonic flight over land.NASA/Genaro Vavuris Next steps Getting off the ground was only the beginning for the X-59. The team is now preparing the aircraft for full flight testing, evaluating how it will handle and, eventually, how its design will shape shock waves, which typically result in a sonic *****, in supersonic flight. The X-59 will eventually reach its target cruising speed of about 925 mph (Mach 1.4) at 55,000 feet. The aircraft’s design sits at the center of that testing, shaping and distributing shock-wave formation. Its engine is mounted on top of the fuselage – the main body of the aircraft – to redirect air flow upward and away from the ground. The cockpit sits mid-fuselage, with no forward-facing window. Instead, NASA developed an eXternal Vision System – cameras and advanced high-definition displays that allow the pilot to see ahead and below the aircraft, which is particularly critical during landing. These design choices reflect years of research and modeling – all focused on changing how the quieter sonic thump from a supersonic aircraft will be perceived by people on the ground. NASA’s goal is to gather community response data to support the development of new standards for acceptable levels of sound from commercial supersonic flight over land. To do this, NASA will fly the X-59 over different U.S. communities, collecting ground measurement data and survey input from residents to better understand people’s perception of the X-59’s sonic thump. “Most X-planes only live in the restricted airspace here on center,” Flick said. “This one is going to go out and fly around the country.” When the X-59 lifted off the ground for the first time, it carried a piece of NASA’s history back into the air. And with it, a reminder that advancing aeronautics remains central to NASA’s mission. Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 EditorDede DiniusContactNicolas Cholulanicolas.h*****@*****.tldLocationArmstrong Flight Research Center Related TermsArmstrong Flight Research CenterAeronauticsAeronautics Research Mission DirectorateCommercial Supersonic TechnologyIntegrated Aviation Systems ProgramLow ***** Flight DemonstratorNASA AircraftQuesst (X-59)Quesst: The VehicleSupersonic Flight Explore More 41 min read 2025-2026 DWU: High School Engineering Challenge Article 2 months ago 12 min read 2025-2026 DWU: Middle School Aviation Challenge Article 2 months ago 4 min read NASA Flights Study Cosmic Ray Effects for Air, Future Space Travelers Article 2 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) SARP students peer into the cockpit onboard NASA’s P-3 aircraft, during research flights for the 2025 Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) internship. NASA/Milan Loiacono In August 2025, 47 students from NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) culminated a summer of science by presenting their research to an audience of mentors, professors, family, friends, and NASA personnel. SARP is a summer internship for undergraduate students, hosted in two cohorts: this year SARP West operated out of Guardian Jet Center and University of California, Irvine in Southern California, while SARP East operated out of Wallops Flight Facility and Virginia Commonwealth University in Virginia. SARP randomly assigns students into one of four research disciplines, to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and give them the opportunity to work outside of their usual field. Each discipline is led by a faculty researcher who is an expert in their field, and supported by a graduate mentor. This year, SARP research topics spanned three spheres: atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere, covered between the two cohorts. The beauty of Earth science lies in its interconnectedness. As a student who primarily researches atmospheric science, stepping out of my comfort zone to explore something new was truly eye-opening, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience. Nimay mahajan 2025 SARP West student Over the course of two months, students learned more about NASA’s Airborne Science Program and Earth Science through lectures led by SARP faculty and guest speakers from NASA and the Earth science community, engaged in Earth science data collection while flying onboard Dynamic Aviation’s B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft, and participated in field trips to perform ground sampling fieldwork. Students also visited NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA Headquarters. The program also includes other enriching opportunities such as visiting the University of California San Diego’s WAVElab and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rice Rivers Center. Students were also provided the opportunity to attend introductory programming sessions and receive hands-on support from a coding mentor to develop and strengthen their experience with code, and incorporate code in their research project. SARP really made me realize that science is ******* than all of us, but it needs every one of us – even those just stepping into the scientific world – to contribute. Every effort, no matter how big or small, is a step forward in a mission greater than any one individual. TJ Ochoa Peterson 2025 SARP East student To watch videos of these student’s presentations, read their research abstracts, or see more photos from the summer, please follow the links below. 2025 SARP East Research Presentations The 2025 SARP East Aerosols Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked in a hangar at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virgina. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Watch the Atmospheric Chemistry Group Presentations Watch the Ecohydrology Group Presentations Watch the Oceans Group Presentations Watch the Terrestrial Fluxes Group Presentations View the SARP East Photo Gallery 2025 SARP West Research Presentations The students and faculty of the 2025 Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) pose in front of NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Watch the Aerosols Group Presentations Watch the Land Group Presentations Watch the Oceans Group Presentations Watch the Whole Air Sampling (WAS) Group Presentations View the SARP West Photo Gallery About the AuthorMilan LoiaconoScience Communication SpecialistMilan Loiacono is a science communication specialist for the Earth Science Division at NASA Ames Research Center. Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsEarth ScienceEarth Science DivisionInternships Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System View the full article

9 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The 2025 SARP East Atmospheric Chemistry Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked in a hangar at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Faculty Advisor: Stacey Hughes, University of New Hampshire Graduate Mentor: Katherine Paredero, Georgia Institute of Technology Atmospheric Chemistry Group Introduction Faculty Advisor Stacey Hughes and Graduate Mentor Katherine Paredero Kaylena Pham Spooky Swamps: How Methane Emission Rates and Their Spatial Variability Differ Between the Great Dismal Swamp and the Alligator River Kaylena Pham, University of Southern California Wetlands represent a dominant natural source of methane emissions to the atmosphere through methanogenesis, a process that produces methane in nutrient-depleted anoxic sediments, or as a result of decomposition. In coastal wetlands, particularly brackish regimes such as the Alligator River, severe storms and rising sea levels intensify saltwater intrusion inland. This leads to expansive vegetation death and the formation of ghost forests, large areas of dead standing vegetation. The widespread forest loss caused by salinization suggests elevated methane emissions in areas with vegetation stress through increased rates of decomposition from plant death. Previous research has not yet considered ghost forests when estimating methane emissions in wetlands, leading us to explore emission concentrations across two wetlands with similar vegetation compositions: the Great Dismal Swamp and Alligator River. In this work, we utilized in-situ measurements collected aboard the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft during the NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) 2025 flight campaign. Methane and carbon monoxide measurements were determined using a PICARRO Gas Concentration Analyzer. This data was then linked with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) imagery from the Terra satellite’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument. With these two datasets, we studied how vegetation stress influences methane emissions. We observed greater vegetation stress in the Alligator River compared to the Great Dismal Swamp. Furthermore, the Alligator River has wider methane concentration variability occurring over areas with greater vegetation stress. In contrast, methane measurements over the Great Dismal Swamp have narrower distributions and less vegetation stress. This comparison of wetlands in differing vegetative states suggests a potential link between ecosystem stress and elevated methane emissions in wetland environments. Interestingly, despite these differences, the Great Dismal Swamp had a slightly higher mean methane concentration (2.11 ppm) compared to the Alligator River (1.96 ppm). Our results emphasize the importance of improving our understanding of what types of vegetation conditions lead to methane enhancements over wetland regimes. Carson Turner Calculating Methane Flux Over the Great Dismal Swamp Using the Mass Balance Technique Carson Turner, University of North Dakota Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, with a warming potential approximately 28 times larger than carbon monoxide. When examining the Global Methane Budget, wetlands are the largest natural source of methane accounting for 20-40% of global methane emissions. Wetland methane emissions have been shown to present the highest uncertainty due to both a lack of in-situ measurements to compare with models as well as a lack of understanding of how different conditions, like soil moisture and air temperature, affect methane emissions. This study looks specifically at The Great Dismal Swamp (GDS), located on the border of southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina, to study emissions over the region using data collected on flights conducted as part of the Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) in the summer of 2025. A PICARRO Gas Concentration Analyzer was used to collect high frequency methane and carbon monoxide measurements. The two research flights followed similar flight paths around the GDS, on the 23rd and 24th of June. Methane flux was then calculated using the mass balance approach for each flight. Methane flux values were measured at 0.037 kg/s and 0.603 kg/s for the 23rd and 24th respectively. A similar study on wetlands in northern Sweden and Finland found an average methane flux value of 5.56 kg/s. A decreased methane flux value was observed on the flight day associated with higher temperatures, which is contrary to previous research on the relationship between methane emissions and temperature. Future work includes utilizing these flux measurements to improve our understanding of methane emissions from wetlands in models and further explore the relationship between methane emissions and soil moisture. Alek Libby Comparative Analysis of Urban Ozone Chemistry in Baltimore, Richmond, and Norfolk Alek Libby , Florida State University Urban ozone pollution remains a significant air quality concern in many U.S. cities. Ground-level ozone is not directly emitted but forms through photochemical reactions involving volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) in the presence of sunlight—especially during the summer when incoming solar radiation is enhanced. The National Ambient Air Quality Standard set by the EPA for tropospheric ozone is 70 ppb, which is measured as an 8-hour average. Though exceedances of said standard have declined nationwide, understanding how emission composition varies across metropolitan areas remains critical. This study investigates the VOC makeup and ozone formation dynamics of three Mid-Atlantic urban environments: Baltimore, Richmond, and Norfolk. In-situ Whole Air Samples (WAS) were collected onboard the Aviation Dynamics B200 aircraft during the 2024 NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) Campaign. Gas chromatography was used to quantify the VOC composition of each sample. Additional airborne data from CAFE and CANOE instruments provided measurements of formaldehyde (HCHO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), respectively. This study looked at measurements collected below the boundary layer and within urban beltways to assess regional ozone production potential. Results showed that Baltimore exhibited significantly lower levels of key anthropogenic VOCs, particularly n-butane, i-pentane, and n-pentane. VOC/NOₓ ratios placed Richmond and Norfolk in NOₓ-limited regimes, while Baltimore fell within the transitional zone—supported by HCHO/NO₂ ratios averaging at 2.44 in Baltimore versus 5.14 and 5.09 in Norfolk and Richmond. Baltimore continues to experience notably more ozone exceedance days than Norfolk and Richmond, which is likely related to elevated NO₂ levels in the area. While reducing VOCs may help, these findings suggest that NOₓ reductions are likely more effective for mitigating ozone in the Baltimore area. Future work might replicate this analysis using the 2025 SARP dataset, which was collected on hot, stagnant days that are favorable for ozone production. Hannah Suh Characterization of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Sources in the Baltimore area Hannah Suh, University of California, Santa Cruz Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a key role in tropospheric photochemistry, as they react with nitrogen oxides (NOx) in sunlight to produce tropospheric ozone (O3). Both VOCs and tropospheric O3 can have negative impacts on air quality and human health. Understanding the sources of VOCs in urban areas such as Baltimore is essential for informing future air quality policies. In this study, in-situ VOC measurements collected onboard the Aviation Dynamics B200 aircraft during the NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) were analyzed to characterize potential emission sources in the Baltimore area. VOC datasets from two flights from June 24th that flew over that location were investigated. This flight data was collected using aircraft instruments on the Aviation Dynamics B200, primarily the Whole Air Sampler (WAS). WAS canisters were later processed in lab using gas chromatography, which identified the different VOC mixing ratios in the air. VOCs ratios along with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF), which reduces an inputted data matrix to separate out potential emission source contributions, were compared to each other to consider the most notable sources of VOCs in the Baltimore area. A total of six sources were looked at through PMF for this region. The top three sources seem to align with oil and natural gas, biogenic, and vehicular emissions. Chemical signature ratios indicate the presence of mixed plumes of both industrial and urban emissions, with many significant correlations with ethyne. These results point towards oil and natural gas industries, biogenic sources, and urban sources like vehicles as primary contributors to VOC signature ratios in the Baltimore area. A logical next step for this research would be to compare VOC signature ratios across multiple years to assess temporal trends. Aashi Parikh Characterizing VOC Emissions from Chemical Plant Plumes in Hopewell, VA Aashi Parikh, Boston University Hopewell, VA is home to a cluster of major chemical facilities, whose emissions have raised concerns in neighboring communities about air pollution and health disparities. While there is information about the historical pollution in Hopewell, few studies provide a comprehensive analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study investigates the distribution of VOCs in Hopewell’s industrial corridor and In-situ whole air samples (WAS) were collected aboard the Aviation Dynamics B200 during the NASA Student Airborne Research Program in June 2024. In this study, samples collected at Hopewell were compared to the rest of the flight. The values were separated by chemical families, and enhancements were identified. The analysis showed that Hopewell had significant levels of aromatics, with 60 ppt of benzene, 119 ppt of toluene, and 47 ppt of styrene, which are VOCs linked to respiratory illness, neurological disorders, reproductive issues, and *******. Aromatics observed over Hopewell were approximately 5x higher than that of the remaining flight path. According to the EPA, these carcinogenic compounds have no safe threshold for chronic exposure. As such, long-term exposure to these compounds can pose health risks. These findings reinforce existing health outcome disparities in the region, such as elevated ******* rates, and raise concerns about the exposure of nearby communities. Underserved communities are disproportionately being impacted by such health risks in Hopewell. Future research will evaluate VOC concentrations over Hopewell in 2025 and compare them to the 2024 baseline established in this study, providing insight into whether emissions reductions have occurred and if regulatory or community-driven interventions are showing impact. Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsEarth ScienceEarth Science DivisionInternships Explore More 2 min read SARP 2025 Closeout Article 10 minutes ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Terrestrial Fluxes Group Article 11 minutes ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Oceans Group Article 12 minutes ago View the full article

10 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The 2025 SARP East Terrestrial Fluxes Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked in a hangar at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Faculty Advisors: Lisa Haber, Virginia Commonwealth University Brandon Alveshere, Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate Mentor: Kayla Preisler, University of Arizona Terrestrial Fluxes Group Introduction Rice Rivers Center Director Chris Gough and Graduate Mentor Kayla Preisler Quinn Koch Monitoring Postfire Ecosystem Recovery With Spectral Indices and Eddy-Covariance Flux Towers Quinn Koch, University of California, Los Angeles Fire is a common ecological disturbance in forest ecosystems, leading to changes in forest structure and function that have implications for the Earth’s carbon budget. Observations of post-fire carbon fluxes provide insight into the trajectory of forest recovery and its future as a carbon sink. Eddy-covariance flux towers measure high frequency greenhouse gas exchange between forests and the atmosphere, yielding measurements of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Reco). While flux towers are the gold standard for quantifying ecosystem scale fluxes, vegetation indices derived from remote sensing are highly correlated with tower flux data and may provide broader spatial scale understanding of how carbon fluxes vary following fire and other disturbances. The objective of our study is to examine the relationship between tower carbon flux data and NASA Landsat-derived spectral indices at five sites in the United States and Australia that were disturbed by severe fire. Specifically, we evaluated changes following fire in two Landsat-derived spectral indices, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR), examining whether spectral indices paralleled temporal variation in NEE, GPP, and Reco. We found that the recovery of spectral indices outpaced the recovery of NEE and GPP at sites that experienced severe fire, highlighting how lags in structural and functional responses to disturbance may decouple vegetation indices from carbon fluxes. This suggests that a temporal lag should be considered when using vegetation indices as a proxy for carbon fluxes in post-fire ecosystems compared to unburned systems. This analysis represents a small snapshot of ecosystems worldwide; therefore, continuing to monitor these trends at future burned flux tower sites will be crucial to further understanding this relationship. Sara Typrin Characterizing Forest Response Pathways in the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Sara Typrin, Carleton College Coastal forests along the Chesapeake Bay are rapidly becoming marshes due to sea level rise and extreme weather events. Predicting these ecosystem shifts is essential for climate adaptation responses. Previous studies have employed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series trends to characterize the resilience of coastal ecosystems; however, few have assessed NDVI variation trends within the Chesapeake Bay coastal region, where rates of sea level rise far exceed the global average. This study examines the spatial distribution of forest response pathways in relation to elevation within Maryland’s Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding Eastern Shore region. We used the Landsat 8 record (2014-2024) to extract NDVI values for areas classified as upland forest. We calculated trends in NDVI and NDVI variation using Kendall’s τ (rank correlation) to characterize each 30m pixel into one of four ecosystem shift trajectories: abrupt transition, gradual transition, recovering, or stable. We found that 14.7% of the study area is in abrupt transition, 27.4% in gradual transition, 17.3% is in recovery, and 40.6% is stable. Mapping these regions qualitatively shows that in the BNWR, areas closer to the coast tend to experience abrupt or gradual transitions, and areas farther from the coast are typically stable or in recovery. Recovering forests have higher and more variable elevations than other pathways in a subset of BNWR’s southwest region. Future work can examine how elevation and distance to the coast relate to forest response pathways at a regional scale. Austin Jeffery Structural Characteristic Variation Between Upland Forests and Forested Wetlands Austin Jeffery, The University of Texas at Austin Forested wetlands are important for regulating the Earth’s climate, cycling nutrients, and providing vital habitats, but are far less studied than upland forests. Prior work in upland forests has illustrated that canopy structural traits vary widely within and across forest types, and that these traits affect crucial ecosystem functions and services such as primary production and carbon sequestration. However, how canopy structure varies within and across forested wetlands has not been thoroughly explored. This study uses waveform lidar data collected during the 2024 SARP East flight campaigns over the Chesapeake Bay region using the LVIS (Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor) airborne platform. The LVIS Facility L2 Geolocated Surface Elevation and Canopy Height Products were used to investigate how canopy structure varies across forested wetlands and to compare canopy structural variation between forested wetlands and upland forests. To analyze the data, each lidar granule was first divided into upland and wetland forests by overlaying the granules over a USGS NLCD land use map and a USFS forest type map. Then, 20 plots were created of 100 granules each based on four tree species and whether it was an upland forest or forested wetland plot. Two upland and two wetland species were used with 5 plots each. Then, the data were used to assess variation in structural characteristics, including canopy height and vertical complexity, among forested wetlands and upland forests. The analysis resulted in a significant statistical difference between forested wetlands and upland forests structural characteristics. Additionally, forested wetlands showed a general larger variance in canopy structural complexity suggesting variation in canopy height, canopy density, layering, and forest age. This study serves as a benchmark for LiDAR-based structural characterization of forested wetlands, and informs management and conservation of forested wetlands in the mid-Atlantic region. Ellery Moore Arctic Ecosystem Carbon Dynamics: Comparing Greenhouse Gas Measurements in Alaska and Northern Canada Using MODIS Satellite Data and Atmospheric Flask Samples Ellery Moore, Colby College As global temperatures continue to warm, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has called attention to thawing permafrost as a potential tipping point leading to “irreversible” change to Earth’s ecosystems. Currently, permafrost holds an estimated 1,400 Pg of carbon, which will be released primarily as greenhouse gases (GHGs), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2), through microbial activity as temperatures continue to rise, thus exacerbating the atmospheric GHG effect and further warming. In Alaska and Northern Canada, permafrost underlies most of the land, with regions determined by the percentage of frozen soil: continuous (90-100%) and discontinuous (50-90%). Upon examination of spatial maps, the continuous region tends to correspond to the tundra ecosystem, and the discontinuous region to the boreal forest ecosystem. We quantified the permafrost regions using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and land surface temperature (LST). In this study, we aim to determine if CO2 and CH4 concentration measurements differ between the two ecosystems using atmospheric flask samples collected during the Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) in 2017. Overall, the results showed a positive correlation between NDVI and LST, with the boreal forest characterized by higher NDVI and LST than the tundra. Additionally, higher CO2 concentrations were associated with lower NDVI and LST. However, when separating the samples into the two ecosystems, no difference was seen in their diurnal cycles. In general, CH4 measurements did not show a clear relationship with NDVI and LST, but predominantly higher measurements were seen in the tundra when separating the samples by ecosystem. The different CH4 concentrations could be influenced by other environmental sources not considered in this study, such as thermokarst lakes and anthropogenic factors. Further work to differentiate the ecosystems and confirm findings can be done by examining soil moisture samples and comparing permafrost active layer thicknesses. Additionally, to better understand the rates of carbon release, eddy covariance measurements could be examined between the tundra and boreal forest over time. Rayyane Matonding San Francisco BVOC Emissions: The Role of Urban Vegetation in HCHO/NO2 Ratios Rayyane Matonding, University of San Francisco Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) influence local air quality, especially during summer when emissions and photochemical activity peak. BVOCs can oxidize to form ground level ozone, which poses respiratory health risks. Formaldehyde (HCHO), a key photooxidation product of BVOCs, serves as a useful proxy for biogenic emissions in remote sensing studies. Likewise, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) indicates combustion-related activity and anthropogenic VOC influence. This study examines the relationship between urban tree cover and BVOC-related ozone formation using the HCHO to NO2 photochemical regime, which reflects the balance between biogenic and anthropogenic sources. HCHO and NO2 data were obtained from NASA’s TEMPO instrument, and tree cover data from SF OpenData. San Francisco was selected due to its urban greening efforts, high anthropogenic emissions, and prevalence of invasive tree species. Two neighborhoods were selected, Sunnyside with approximately 22 percent canopy cover and Potrero Hill with approximately 2 percent canopy cover, to compare temporal trends in HCHO to NO2 ratios using time series plots. These neighborhoods were chosen based on the availability of hyperlocal weather data, which allowed for more localized atmospheric analysis. No consistent relationship between tree cover and HCHO to NO2 ratios was observed, except during 15:11 and 18:11 on June 18, 2024, which may be associated with elevated photolysis. When weather variables such as zonal wind, meridional wind, and temperature were included in the analysis, no significant correlations were found. Further research should include other cities, additional time periods, and tree species information. Emmanuel Kaiser-Veyrat Vegetation Traits to Methane Fluxes: A Machine Learning Approach Across Diverse Wetlands Emmanuel Kaiser-Veyrat, Cornell University Wetlands are the largest and most uncertain biological source of CH4, a greenhouse gas with 56 times the radiative forcing of CO2 over a 20-year time horizon. Given the spatiotemporal constraints of these dynamic ecosystems for consistent on-site observations, remotely sensed vegetation indices (VIs) offer a scalable approach to capturing the biophysical and biochemical conditions that govern CH4 exchanges. However, their reliability in wetland environments is challenged by signal saturation in dense vegetation as well as spectral mixing of water, soil, and plants. Seeking to quantify these limitations, we employ the machine learning algorithm, Random Forest Regressor (RFR), to answer the question: Can remotely sensed vegetation traits predict CH4 fluxes across freshwater and saltwater marshes? VIs from the Index DataBase are derived from the Landsat Collection 2 Level-2 products for Landsat-7 ETM+ and Landsat-8 OLI. The FLUXNET-CH4 Community Product yields 17 wetland sites across the contiguous U.S. with daily mean methane flux values spanning some or all of the 2011 to 2018 interval. Generalized flux footprints were computed for every site adopting a uniform approach scaling fetch with increasing measurement height. Extracting feature importances from RFR, we found the Green Vegetation Moisture Index (GVMI) to consistently outperform all other indices, including two meteorological covariates measured from flux tower sites: air temperature and shortwave radiation. Grouping the VIs into five categories (moisture and water, greenness and productivity, structure and soil, pigments, and burn), we found that moisture and water indices consistently scored higher in feature importance than all other categories combined. Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsEarth ScienceEarth Science DivisionInternships Explore More 2 min read SARP 2025 Closeout Article 10 minutes ago 9 min read SARP East 2025 Atmospheric Chemistry Group Article 11 minutes ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Oceans Group Article 12 minutes ago View the full article

10 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The 2025 SARP East Oceans Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked in a hangar at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Faculty Advisors: Tom Bell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Graduate Mentor: Sarah Lang, University of Rhode Island Oceans Group Introduction Faculty Advisor Tom Bell and Graduate Mentor Sarah Lang Isabella Showman Detecting Coastal Sea Ice Extent and Freshet Event Timing in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska Using Sentinel-1 C-SAR Isabella Showman, University of Washington The detachment of coastal sea ice due to increasing upstream snowmelt causes dramatic seasonal changes in the Arctic Ocean. Termed a freshet, these freshwater pulses influence the timing of sea ice degradation, but the effects are difficult to quantify because of frequent cloud cover and limited ground observations. Sentinel-1 C-SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) collects high-spatiotemporal data using microwave radiation backscatter allowing it to see through clouds, making it a valuable tool to identify freshet timing in the Arctic. We used SAR imagery to classify seasonal sea ice extent for a 45 km transect north of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The backscatter signature of SAR is influenced by roughness, and since ocean water is smoother than ice, the backscatter differences allow for the estimation of proportional sea ice cover along the transect. We validated the accuracy of our SAR classifications using shortwave infrared from cloud-free Sentinel-2 images, and found strong agreement between the methods. We then calculated the average annual percent ice cover from 2017 to 2024, serving as a seasonal baseline to compare against individual years. We found mean sea ice decline throughout the spring and summer months and associated freshet event timing to begin in the middle of June. The rate of decline in sea ice cover along the transect has higher variability in the weeks following the onset of sea ice melt. The use of SAR to track localized seasonal ice melt and identify the timing of spring freshet events allows for a more complete seasonal time series than optical imagery alone. Variability in Arctic freshet timing influences how and when sea ice degradation begins, having potential implications for organisms reliant on sea ice extent and larger-scale surface albedo. This study also lays the groundwork for future investigations to better understand across- watershed variability and environmental factors like river discharge and surface temperature on freshet timing. Sarah Gryskewicz Investigating the Impacts of the January 2025 California Wildfires on Phytoplankton Blooms in the Pacific Ocean Sarah Gryskewicz, State University of New York at Oswego Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity across North America as a result of climate change. The release of particulates by these events result in short-range and long-range implications on human and ecophysiological health. Marine ecosystems may also be impacted due to the deposition of these chemical constituents, particularly ash, which can alter nutrient cycling in the water by fertilization and reduce light availability for phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in marine waters and are responsible for half of the photosynthetic activity on Earth. An area of complex interdisciplinary research concerns the interactions between wildfires and the marine ecosystem. There is a large scientific need to understand biogeochemical cycling between wildfire emissions and phytoplankton blooms. This study investigates the January 2025 California wildfire impacts on phytoplankton blooms offshore the southern California coast in nutrient limited waters. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite is used to assess interannual and seasonal variabilities while the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite was utilized for the additional ocean-based analyses. Variables considered include chlorophyll-a (chl-a) as a proxy for phytoplankton biomass, particulate organic carbon (POC) to assess phytoplankton physiology, and diffuse attenuation at 490 nm (Kd490) to assess light availability. From this analysis, it was found that there was no evident fertilization of a phytoplankton bloom given that chl-a eight-day composites did not deviate significantly from 2012-2025 average geometric mean concentrations. Analyses of the chl-a:POC and chl-a:Kd490 ratios suggest a potential physiological or phytoplankton community shift, but future work using in-situ data is necessary to connect wildfires impacts on phytoplankton communities offshore Southern California. Additionally, the research sets the stage for future work using PACE to investigate impacts on phytoplankton community groups. Future research also involves the expansion of sample wildfire cases and consideration of forested versus urban emission impacts. Philip Espinal How Well Can Machine Learning Forecast Kelp Biomass Along the Central California Coast? Philip Espinal, Texas A&M University Giant Kelp is an integral part of the coastal ecosystem off the Central California Coast because it provides food and shelter for several marine organisms, and supports a multi-million dollar commercial fishing industry. In recent decades, Giant Kelp forests have been in decline due to warming ocean temperatures and overgrazing by marine organisms such as sea urchins. Conservation efforts like outplanting, transplanting, and sea urchin removal are occurring in an effort to restore Giant Kelp populations along the California Coast. Knowing when the environment will be favorable for kelp growth is important to focus conservation resources and effort most efficiently. Observations from the Landsat series of satellites allow for the estimation of kelp biomass density going back to 1984. Two machine learning algorithms, random forests and a simple neural network, were trained on the Landsat observations, coastal wave model output, climate indices, and reanalysis products from 1984 to 2015. Models were evaluated on the mean absolute error (MAE) for predictions from 2016 to 2021, as well the MAE and mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of just the third quarters, when maximum biomass density is typically achieved. The random forest models showed little skill even at the minimum forecast horizon of one quarter, performing similar to a prediction made by a 5-year rolling seasonal average. The neural networks performed significantly better than the random forests and seasonal averages when forecasting one quarter into the future, and performed marginally better at two and four quarters into the future. The neural network trained to forecast one quarter ahead had a third quarter MAPE of 13.4% while the 5-year seasonal average had a MAPE of 42.8%. Models performed poorly in the area surrounding Monterey, greatly overestimating the amount of kelp biomass. This overprediction may be due to the severe reduction in kelp biomass since 2015 due to sea urchin overgrazing. While the predictions did not match the actual outcome, the environment may have in fact still been productive for kelp if not for the presence of sea urchins. Overall, these models can serve as a proof of concept that machine learning models, especially neural networks, can use current environmental conditions to forecast kelp biomass one to two quarters into the future, providing useful operational guidance for conservationists. Carolyn Chen Sea Surface Temperature as an Indicator of Benthic Symbiont Loss in the Florida Keys: A Comparative Analysis of ECOSTRESS and MODIS Carolyn Chen, University of Florida Coral bleaching events, which pose significant threats to marine biodiversity and reef structure, have increased in frequency and severity over recent decades. Accurate monitoring of sea surface temperature is vital for understanding the drivers of zooxanthellae loss in these foundational habitats. Traditional methods of satellite temperature data collection have relatively coarse spatial resolution (1 km). This can obscure finer-scale thermal variability, especially in nearshore and coastal reef environments where localized temperature anomalies may lead to significant biological impacts. Here, we use ECOSTRESS at a fine spatial resolution (70 m) to investigate the relationships between sea surface temperature and bleaching in the Florida Keys. Thermal imagery from July 24, 2023 was spatially overlaid with in situ coral bleaching survey data to investigate potential thermal stress–bleaching relationships. We then quantified this relationship through correlation analyses at varying spatial thresholds, examining the strength and direction of associations between sea surface temperature and corresponding levels of coral bleaching intensity across survey sites. Parallel analyses were conducted using MODIS for comparative assessment. We were able to determine that ECOSTRESS sea surface temperature had a weak association with bleaching intensity (r² = 0.348, p<0.001). Greater thresholds yielded lower correlation. Comparatively, MODIS showed low correlation at all spatial thresholds. These findings demonstrate the potential of ECOSTRESS for quantifying thermal relationships and lays the groundwork for future work across temporal scales. Joshua Chapin Impacts of Atmospheric Rivers on Phytoplankton in the Central California Current System Joshua Chapin, The University of Alabama in Huntsville Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are powerful meteorological events that deliver large volumes of freshwater to coastal systems, potentially reshaping oceanographic and ecological conditions. This study investigates the impact of AR-induced freshwater outflow—specifically from the Russian River (RR) and other freshwater sources–on phytoplankton communities in the central California Current System on April 11, 2023. Using Sentinel-3 ocean color reflectance bands within the visual spectrum (e.g., bands 2 through 11), we applied k-means clustering to classify waters with distinct bio-optical properties. To validate and interpret these water types, we integrated data from NASA’s Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE) field campaign, including flow-through measurements of temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a, and particulate organic carbon (POC), along with bottle sample data on nutrients and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigments (e.g., fucoxanthin, peridinin, nitrate). These in situ observations revealed physical and biological signatures across the clustered water masses. One cluster is characterized by cold temperatures, low salinity, low chlorophyll-a concentrations. The cluster is also characterized by reduced fucoxanthin (denoting reduced diatom concentrations) and low nitrate. These T/S and bio-optical characteristics suggest an association with terrestrial outflow, potentially linked to AR-driven discharge from the Russian River and adjacent watersheds. However, within the same T/S space, elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations are observed, indicating that some RR water is associated with elevated productivity. . T/S diagrams also indicated that elevated chl-a was associated with mixing of the RR with surrounding waters. In contrast, other clusters were characterized by warmer temperatures, higher salinity, elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations, higher nitrate levels, and higher accessory pigment concentrations such as alloxanthin and prasinoxanthin (associated with this cluster). Overall, these contrasting signatures among clustered water masses illustrate the ecological gradients shaped by AR-driven freshwater delivery. This integrated approach highlights the ecological consequences of terrestrial runoff following AR events and demonstrates the utility of combining satellite-based classifications with high-resolution in situ measurements to monitor phytoplankton variability in dynamic coastal environments. Eli Mally Predicting Phytoplankton Pigment Groups in Coastal Southern California with PACE Eli Mally, University of California, Irvine Phytoplankton produce half of the world’s oxygen, influence nutrient cycling, and form the basis of the ocean’s food chain. Predicting phytoplankton pigment groups from hyperspectral satellite data, especially in coastal areas where accurate retrievals are challenging, is crucial to gaining a better understanding of ocean ecosystems. Phytoplankton community models from hyperspectral data (such as the MOANA model) have recently become available for the Atlantic, but are not yet available for the Pacific Ocean. To address this observational gap, we created regional models of phytoplankton pigment groups in coastal southern California. We used Level 2 Ocean Color Instrument reflectance data in mid-September 2024 from the NASA PACE satellite. We matched the reflectance data with in situ high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) data from PACE validation cruises (PACE-PAX) in the Santa Barbara Channel and near Long Beach, with a focus on total chlorophyll, chlorophyll-a, -b, and -c, and five pigments associated with different phytoplankton groups characterized in Kramer et al. 2022 (diatoms, dinoflagellates, haptophytes, green algae, and cyanobacteria). We then performed a principal component regression on the satellite data to find models for each pigment. This project resulted in significant models and R2 values for total chlorophyll (0.911), chlorophyll-a (0.868), -b (0.650), and -c (0.861), 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin (0.517), peridinin (0.327), zeaxanthin (0.381), fucoxanthin (0.678), and monovinyl chlorophyll-b (0.650). Furthermore, these results help validate PACE satellite measurements, which provide much finer spectral detail on phytoplankton community groups than multispectral data. Further cruises in this area would increase the scope and amount of HPLC samples, and therefore the accuracy and scope of our phytoplankton pigment models. Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsEarth ScienceEarth Science DivisionInternships Explore More 2 min read SARP 2025 Closeout Article 10 minutes ago 9 min read SARP East 2025 Atmospheric Chemistry Group Article 11 minutes ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Terrestrial Fluxes Group Article 11 minutes ago View the full article

9 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The 2025 SARP West Aerosols Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked on the tarmac at Guardian Jet Center in Southern California. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Faculty Advisors: Andreas Beyersdorf, California State University, San Bernardino Graduate Mentor: Bradley Ries, University of California, Riverside Aerosols Group Introduction Faculty Advisor Andreas Beyersdorf Martha Santiago Aerosol Pollution in Two Coastal Agricultural Regions in the United States Martha Santiago, Northwestern University Although air quality has improved across the United States since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, air pollution remains an issue for millions of Americans. Livestock, fertilizers, and pesticides can release pollutants into the surrounding environment, which may be associated with adverse health effects like asthma and cardiovascular disease, in nearby populations. Because some aerosols are tracers for agriculture, examining aerosol concentrations and composition can help better understand sources and impacts of air pollution. Here, we compare two agricultural regions, the Central Valley in California, which is dominated by fruit, nut, and cattle farms, and the Delmarva Peninsula, which comprises chicken hatcheries and vegetable farms. Using airborne data from the Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS), we compare relative and absolute levels of ammonium (NH4+), chloride (Cl-), nitrates (NO3-), organics, and sulfates (SO42-), and calculate total particulate matter smaller than one micron (PM1). We also examine other agricultural pollutants such as methane (CH4), a tracer for agricultural activity, and compare hotspots between each region. Although both regions are known for high levels of agriculture, our results indicate that their aerosol and trace gas compositions and concentrations vary significantly. On the Delmarva Peninsula, air pollution appears to be a regional issue; average pollutant concentrations are higher but evenly distributed. Conversely, pollution in the Central Valley is localized, as indicated by higher pollutant peaks that overlap over clusters of communities. Understanding differences in composition, concentration, and distribution enables communities and policymakers to identify solutions to address air pollution and to improve air quality. Eli Garcia Analysis of missed approaches across the Los Angeles basin with a focus on Long Beach aerosol composition Eli Garcia, Trinity College Aerosols play an important part in the overall air quality, visibility, and human health in urban and rural areas alike. Within the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, many sources of anthropogenic aerosols contribute meaningfully to the improving, yet still below-average air quality of the greater metropolitan area. Because of the relative size and topography of urban Los Angeles, the area can be divided into multiple distinct regions each with distinct sources and compositions of aerosols. To better understand these sources, missed approaches were examined from the NASA Student Airborne Research Program flight campaigns over the last two summers. These missed approaches provide us with an accurate snapshot of the local aerosol composition for people living near these airports, so that we can better understand the sources of these pollutants. For this study, we used aerosol mass spectrometer data to determine the relative amounts of organics, sulfates, nitrates, ammonium, and chlorides. We were also able to collect the total number count of particulate matter and the nonvolatile number count utilizing a condensation particle counter. Data were acquired from six common airports where missed approaches were performed, and we discovered the aerosol composition varies based on the location within the basin. At airports with large amounts of traffic and warehouses, nitrates are a greater portion of total mass, while at airports with a greater concentration of industry, like Long Beach, sulfates are also a greater fraction. By determining what the largest contributing aerosols are and their major sources, efforts can be focused to mitigate these specific polluters. Kiersten Sundell Mega-Feedlots, Mega-Impact: Differences in Health Outcomes in California’s Imperial Valley Kiersten Sundell, University of Rhode Island Imperial Valley communities show asthma rates significantly higher than California averages across all age groups, despite relatively low particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) readings at regulatory monitoring stations. This health-pollution disconnect indicates potential unmeasured emission sources in a region dominated by industrial cattle feedlots. Imperial Valley hosts California’s largest Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) and slaughterhouse, facilities that confine thousands of cattle and produce large volumes of methane, PM, nitrous oxide, and ammonia, producing complex aerosols linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health impacts. While previous studies have used downwind total suspended particulate filters, dispersion modeling, and supply chain mapping to assess CAFO emissions, these approaches often miss concentrated pollution hotspots. We combine aerosol data from the NASA Student Airborne Research Program, EPA air quality monitoring stations, IPCC calculations, and California wastewater permits to quantify and map emissions from the state’s largest cattle feedlot and slaughterhouse: Brandt Beef in Calipatria and Brawley, California. We mapped these pollutants against health and demographic data in California’s Imperial Valley using data from California Department of Public Health and CalEnviroScreen, finding significant correlations between pollutant spread and prevalence of health indicators such as asthma and cardiovascular disease. Our analysis reveals that Brandt Beef operations emit 26.73 tons of methane and 39.98 tons of nitrous oxide daily. Airborne measurements revealed elevated PM concentrations around facilities, while spatial analysis showed significant correlations between facility proximity and health conditions. These findings indicate that large-scale cattle operations are associated with measurable environmental impact in the surrounding communities, which may be linked to differences in health outcomes, despite compliance with federal air quality standards. Lilly Kramer Dust Over the Salton Sea Lilly Kramer, Oberlin College Dust storms occur from winds picking up loose sediments, which creates health issues for surrounding populations. The largest dust source in the US is found in California’s Owens Dry Lake. These dust storms are incredibly toxic, carrying carcinogens from the exposed lakebed (playa) into the atmosphere and toward people. The Salton Sea is a lake in California that is rapidly drying, exposing its playa to the environment. In its decline, the Salton Sea mirrors the fate of Owens Lake, which dried up in 1905. A 2024 research paper by Eric C. Edwards (et al.) used a spatially explicit particle transport model to demonstrate increased dust emissions from the Salton Sea. Our research will showcase environmental evidence that the increasing playa creates more dust in the Salton Sea area, corroborating the existing model. This was achieved by analyzing the NASA Student Airborne Research Program flight data over nearly a decade. An Ultra-High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (UHSAS) and Laser Aerosol Spectrometer (LAS) provided the information on the size of aerosol particles and their quantity. The analysis established a trend of increasing dust particles over the Salton Sea area by looking at particles over 500 nm in diameter. This trend is currently dangerous for the people living near the lake, as increased toxic dust causes significant health issues. This problem will only be exacerbated because if the lake continues its projected path and completely dries up, it could create massive toxic dust storms that extend much farther. Justin Staley Seasonal Variability in Boundary Layer Vertical Profiles over Los Angeles: A Comparative Analysis of Summer and Winter Conditions Justin Staley, Villanova University The planetary boundary layer (PBL) is the lowest part of the atmosphere, in situ air that borders the free troposphere and the Earth’s surface. Characterized by turbulent mixing, PBL plays an important role in climate patterns, weather dynamics, and air quality, and is influenced by external factors such as temperature, geography, and proximity to the ocean. This project analyzes the seasonal differences in PBL characteristics over the greater Los Angeles area by asking how vertical profiles of trace gases and aerosols compare during missed approaches in summer 2025 and winter 2021. Aircraft-based measurements of trace gases (CH₄, NH₄, O₃, NO₃), organic aerosols, and total number count of aerosols, were used to analyze how the PBL structure influences pollutant distribution across urban and coastal regions. Results indicate that summer mornings often exhibit deeper boundary layers from increased solar intensity. In contrast, winter morning profiles exhibit shallower and more stable boundary layers from less warming and more cloud coverage, with weaker vertical mixing. Observed chemical species, particularly O₃ and NH₄, displayed distinct vertical gradients at the PBL top, aiding in defining its height and dynamics. Additionally, ozone concentrations increase above PBL, while total aerosol number counts vary with altitude and location. These findings provide insight into pollutant dispersion, chemical reactivity, implications for regional air quality modeling, and a better understanding of the role of local geography and meteorology in shaping boundary layer behavior in Southern California. Jacob Garside Biomass Burning Aerosol Fingerprints: Combining Absorption and Trace Gas Measurements for Plume Characterization Jacob Garside, Plymouth State University With thousands of wildfires occurring annually in California, understanding smoke composition is critical for air quality and climate assessments. As wildfire severity and intensity are increasing year over year, being able to characterize aerosol plumes becomes more important. This study examines two significant 2025 fires through combined airborne and ground-based measurements: the June 30th Juniper Fire and the 24-day Eaton Fire (January 7th–31st). During the NASA Student Airborne Research Program, the P-3B aircraft intercepted the Juniper Fire plume, enabling a comprehensive analysis of biomass burning aerosols. We investigated whether aerosols and trace gases could serve as definitive fire signatures by comparing aircraft and surface measurements. The study utilized absorption measurements from both the airborne Langley Aerosols Research Group, instrument suite and a ground-based Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasuremet NeTwork (ASCENT) aethalometer to derive the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE), while simultaneous CO and CO₂ measurements on the aircraft identified plume intercepts and combustion efficiency. Calculated AAE values of 1.5-1.7 indicated mixed contributions from ****** carbon and brown carbon, which is characteristic of biomass burning. Elevated CO to CO₂ ratios confirmed inefficient smoldering fires, as high values of CO are usually linked to such fires. These findings demonstrate that integrated AAE and trace gas measurements from multiple platforms effectively characterize smoke composition, providing valuable discrimination between ****** carbon and brown carbon-dominated plumes for improved atmospheric modeling and public health assessment. Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsEarth ScienceEarth Science DivisionInternships Explore More 2 min read SARP 2025 Closeout Article 10 minutes ago 9 min read SARP East 2025 Atmospheric Chemistry Group Article 11 minutes ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Terrestrial Fluxes Group Article 11 minutes ago View the full article

11 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The 2025 SARP West Land Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked on the tarmac at Guardian Jet Center in Southern California. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Faculty Advisors: Daniel Sousa, San Diego State University Graduate Mentor: Megan Ward-Baranyay, San Diego State University Land Group Introduction Faculty Advisor Daniel Sousa Robert Purvis Fractional cover estimates of the epiphytic macrolichen Ramalina menziesii in oak canopies from simulated mixed spectra and airborne imaging spectroscopy Robert Purvis, Western Kentucky University Lichens, a symbiotic relationship between a ******* (mycobiont) and green algae or cyanobacterium (photobiont), occur globally with great variability in form and function. On the North American west coast, Ramalina menziesii is a robust lichen with net-like morphology found across three distinct biomes. In the mediterranean climate of coastal California, R. menziesii can survive with thallus water content as low as 13%, making the lichen a powerful medium for wildfire spread. As a late-successional community member, changes in wildfire incidence observed in the region have caused R. menziesii coverage to decline. Despite their importance, there is little research on the detection of lichen with imaging spectroscopy, which would provide a potentially novel piece of information to wildland firefighters. The lichen primarily grows on oaks of the region, with the percentage of top-cover ranging from near zero to tree canopy overgrowth due to the lichens’ pendulous growth form. These characteristics may make R. menziesii a good candidate for airborne imaging spectroscopy. Reflectance spectra were collected with a field spectrometer and contact probe from the Figueroa creek area of Sedgwick Reserve in Santa Barbara County, California. From this collection, a spectral library was built (n=70) to contain three endmember types: Quercus lobata (California Valley Oak) leaf (GV; n=34), Q. lobata bark (NPV; n=8), and R. menziesii, (lichen; n=28). This library was sampled using a stratification method and was split into a simulation library (n=41) and an unmixing library (n=29). Mixed spectroscopic pixels at 5% increments of lichen coverage were simulated (n=1344) with random fractions of GV and NPV coverage. Multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis (MESMA) on the simulated pixels recovered the known lichen fractions at an RMSE of 0.25 and R2 of 0.38, with some overestimation of lichen coverage at high GV fractions. Future work will include evaluating the performance of the model with Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectroscopy (AVIRIS) imagery over Sedgwick Reserve. Kyra Shimbo Investigating the Influence of Pre-Fire Fuels and Topography on Burn Severity Prediction in the 2024 Lake Fire in Santa Barbara County, California Kyra Shimbo, University of Rochester Wildfires can pose significant threats to air and water quality, vegetation, soil health, and public safety. The growing severity, frequency, and intensity of wildfires underscore the need to mitigate their impacts on ecosystems and communities. In California, a total of 8,110 wildfires occurred in 2024—burning over 1 million acres of land and destroying more than 1,800 structures. Prospective modeling of potential burn severity in fire-prone areas can help inform decisions on effectively implementing fire management strategies to reduce wildfire hazards. Previous studies have demonstrated that various combinations of pre-fire environmental characteristics, such as fuels and topography, can explain burn severity patterns. However, identifying the dominant drivers of burn severity and accurately predicting it remains challenging across different landscapes. To gain a stronger understanding of burn severity dynamics, we evaluated the influence of pre-fire fuels and topography on predicting post-fire char fractional cover—a proxy for burn severity—for the 2024 Lake Fire in Santa Barbara County, California. We used a random forest regression model to predict post-fire char fractional cover based on pre-fire measurements of fuel structure, fuel moisture, fuel condition, fuel water stress, and topography. Fuel structure was measured with the Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor (LVIS), a full-waveform LiDAR. Fuel moisture, fuel condition, and char fractional cover were derived from surface reflectance collected by the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT). Variables related to fuel water stress were estimated from the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS). Topographic variables were acquired from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). Preliminary results indicate that the model explains 28% of the variance in post-fire burn severity for the Lake Fire (R-squared = 0.28), with canopy height, green vegetation fractional cover, and aspect ranking the highest in predictor importance. Future work could focus on model improvement by incorporating additional pre-fire and active fire weather variables into the model. Overall, this model can be applied to monitoring fuel parameters associated with high burn severity that jeopardize ecosystems and water resources. Nimay Mahajan Evaluating Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA) Derived Vegetation Fraction for Improved ET Estimates in the Semi-Arid Ecosystems of the Sierra Foothills Nimay Mahajan, University of Miami Evapotranspiration (ET) plays a critical role in water and energy cycles, particularly in semi-arid ecosystems. For decades, ET models have used spectral indices like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to quantify the abundance of green vegetation. However, NDVI has long-recognized limitations in semi-arid environments, including saturation for densely vegetated pixels and sensitivity to soil reflectance in sparsely vegetated areas. We explore the potential for vegetation fraction (VF) derived from spectral mixture analysis (SMA) of imaging spectroscopy data to provide a more accurate alternative to NDVI for modeling ET. Focusing on a region east of Fresno, California, we leverage data from National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) flux towers (SJER and SOAP) which provide ground-based measurements of Latent Heat Flux (LE). We derive VF from surface reflectance collected by the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) and compare it to the Landsat-based NDVI product currently used by NASA’s Priestley-Taylor Jet Propulsion Laboratory (PT-JPL) model. Land Surface Temperature (LST) from the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) is incorporated as the thermal data source for each PT-JPL model run. Both model configurations use the same six environmental variable inputs, differing only in their representation of fractional vegetation cover. Preliminary findings suggest that SMA-derived VF tends to produce more conservative LE estimates than NDVI, especially in areas with sparse or mixed vegetation cover. These VF-based estimates also appear to better align with flux tower observations, indicating that NDVI may be overestimating ET in this region. While both vegetation metrics show broad agreement in spatial structure (r = 0.73), localized LE differences highlight the importance of subpixel vegetation characterization in ET modeling. As orbital imaging spectrometers become more widely deployed, it is clear that improving remote sensing-based ET modeling can help support water monitoring, drought-resilient agriculture, and wildfire hazard assessments. Patricia Sibulo Comparative Analysis of UAVSAR Derived Flooding Extent During Hurricane Florence (2018) to Urban Flood Hazard Models Patricia Sibulo, University of San Francisco Urban flooding poses major risks to public safety, infrastructure, and city planning. Yet, floods remain difficult to detect, especially during storms, when high precipitation is often accompanied by spatially and temporally persistent cloud cover. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors, such as airborne Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR), emit microwave pulses that can image regardless of cloud cover or time of day and respond sensitively to surface water. This is due to both the high dielectric constant and the flat geometry of standing water. Given sufficient resources, airborne SAR is capable of capturing rapidly evolving flood events that unfold on hourly timescales. We investigated how daily airborne SAR can be applied to improve flood hazard mapping and monitoring in urban areas. This study incorporates airborne quad-polarized L-band UAVSAR data acquired for five days during the 2018 Hurricane Florence in North Carolina and flood hazard models developed by the state. From daily inundation extent maps, we computed the total area flooded in the Northeast Cape Fear River Basin spanning the area between the cities of Wilmington and Goldsboro. Spatial overlap between the total flooded area estimated by UAVSAR and the region’s projected flood hazard zones was quantified. A LiDAR-derived digital terrain model (DTM) with a spatial resolution of 3ft was also used to identify low-lying areas prone to pooling. Preliminary findings suggest that roughly 66% of the SAR-detected flood did not appear within the state’s modeled 100-year flood hazard zone. Future work could compare UAVSAR estimates of total flooded area to estimates derived from lower temporal resolution (6-12 days) spaceborne SAR to improve flood mapping globally. These results support the integration of high-temporal-resolution airborne SAR and satellite SAR in urban flood workflows for hazard assessment and active flood monitoring. The recently launched NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) mission, with global coverage up to twice every 12 days, is expected to enhance this fusion approach by providing more frequent spaceborne observations. Integrating SAR and LiDAR may enable more accurate, timely assessments in response to flood disasters. Charlotte Perry Investigating Spaceborne Detection Limits of Geothermally Active Mud Features, Land Surface Temperature, and Surface Mineralogy in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field Charlotte Perry, Stonehill College Geothermally active mud features, such as mud pots and mud volcanoes, are manifestations of subsurface geothermal activity. Geothermal activity also provides energy resources. In California’s Salton Trough, geothermal power plants produce roughly 340 Megawatts of electric power annually. Detecting and monitoring geothermal surface features is thus valuable, as these features can be key indicators of geothermal resource potential. Here, we investigated the ability of spaceborne multispectral thermal imaging and imaging spectroscopy to detect and monitor these small-scale (sub-decameter) geothermal mud features near the southeastern edge of the Salton Sea. For this investigation, LST data were obtained from the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) and surface mineralogy estimates were provided by the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) L2B Estimated Mineral Identification and Band Depth product. To examine temporal variability, we processed four images per sensor acquired over two seasons from two consecutive years, May and August for 2023 and 2024. We conducted t-tests to determine if consistent differences in mineralogy and/or LST were observable between known mud pots and control areas. Preliminary results did not find a statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05) between the presence of small-scale geothermal mud features, spaceborne-acquired surface mineralogy, and LST. This study has identified key spatial resolution limitations to locating and monitoring small geothermal mud features. Future work is suggested to determine the threshold for spatial resolution relative to the size of geothermal features of interest. Effectively locating and monitoring geothermally active areas has implications for improving energy security, quantifying the abundance of critical minerals, investigating the effect of their emissions, and understanding the potential geologic hazards they pose. Brianna Francis AVIRIS, Altadena, and Asphalt: Assessing the capabilities of airborne imaging spectroscopy in classifying asphalt road condition Brianna Francis, University of Georgia Ninety-four percent of paved roads in the United States are surfaced with asphalt. Fire accelerates the aging process of asphalt and causes roads to degrade prematurely. This causes moisture pooling, accelerated pothole formation, and produces hazardous conditions for all motorists. Asphalt can have distinct spectral features depending on its condition. Undamaged asphalt typically has an albedo of 0.05 to 0.10 and is characterized by a notable decrease in reflectance near 1700 nm and 2300 nm due to absorption by the hydrocarbon-based asphalt sealant applied to the top of roads during its initial paving. As road surfaces are subjected to physical and chemical weathering, the hydrocarbon-based sealant is eroded away, revealing the mineral-filled aggregate below. Because of this process, the spectra of weathered asphalt is characterized by a reduction in complex hydrocarbon absorption, an increase in albedo, and an increase in mineral absorptions, especially that of iron oxide near 490 nm. Previous research has applied in situ imaging spectroscopy to identify these absorption features in asphalt roads and correlated them with pavement condition. We evaluated the capabilities of airborne imaging spectroscopy in detecting asphalt damage in Altadena, California after the January 2025 Eaton Fire to assess the accuracy of this method for mapping road damage for repair prioritization. AVIRIS-3 (Airborne Visible Infrared Spectrometer 3) surface reflectance data was collected post-fire over Altadena on January 16, 2025, at a spatial resolution of 1.8m. We compared two spectral methods for road damage classification, the VIS2 band difference and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM). Results show that road conditions can be classified with an accuracy of 76% for SAM and 85% for VIS2 with a 10% margin of error based on 100 validation samples; however, these methods notably exhibited limited effectiveness in mountainous areas and sensitivity to crack sealing. These findings can contribute to near immediate post–fire recovery efforts by supporting detour planning, repair prioritization, and a smoother restoration process. Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsEarth ScienceEarth Science DivisionInternships Explore More 2 min read SARP 2025 Closeout Article 10 minutes ago 9 min read SARP East 2025 Atmospheric Chemistry Group Article 11 minutes ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Terrestrial Fluxes Group Article 11 minutes ago View the full article

13 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The 2025 SARP West Oceans Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked on the tarmac at Guardian Jet Center in Southern California. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Faculty Advisor: Henry Houskeper, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Graduate Mentor: Camille Pawlak, University of California, Los Angeles Oceans Group Introduction Faculty Advisor Henry Housekeeper Molly McKellar Spatiotemporal dynamics of canopy-forming kelp forests in the Russian province of Kamchatka Maria (Molly) McKellar, University of Wisconsin, Madison Interannual variability in canopy-forming kelps and the environmental conditions in which kelps thrive have not been studied extensively in the Kamchatka region of eastern Russia. Canopy forming kelps promote diverse and productive coastal ecosystems by boosting coastal resilience and supporting ecological communities. To better understand how kelp in the Kamchatka region contributes to these impacts, we must understand the spatiotemporal dynamics and drivers of kelp forests in the region. In this study, we evaluate spatiotemporal patterns in kelp canopy, including characterizing the climatology and assessing medium and long-term trends. We compare patterns in kelp forest dynamics with biological parameters, such as satellite-derived chlorophyll-a time series, as well as climatological indices, such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and the Northern Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO). New data from Kelpwatch, a global dataset utilizing Landsat satellite imagery, was used to map kelp canopy area from 1999 to present with quarterly resolution. This study is the first spatially resolved analysis of canopy-forming kelps in the Kamchatka region. Kelp area time series were assessed in three sub-regions corresponding to the eastern, western, and southern margins of Kamchatka. We found that the spatial extent of kelp across the entire region is maximal in the third quarter, which encompasses July 1 to September 30 and corresponds to the latter portion of the northern hemisphere growing season. We observed kelp forest patterns to vary spatially, with the southern subregion indicating a positive trend in climatologically adjusted canopy area. Pearson correlation indicated a strong relationship between phytoplankton and kelp dynamics in the southern subregion, perhaps suggesting the importance of nitrate as a regional driver of kelp forest variability. A weak correlation was found between the PDO and NPGO across the entire Kamchatka region and within the eastern and western subregions. While these results support a primary importance of nutrients to kelp population dynamics in the southern region, more work must be done to understand drivers of nutrients variability in Kamchatka. Further investigation of subregional dynamics is warranted given the climatological and mixing differences between the Sea of Okhotsk and the western Pacific Ocean, which each border Kamchatka. Sea surface temperature may also have an impact on kelp forests and should be considered. Understanding regional patterns and trends in Kamchatka would strengthen our understanding of spatiotemporal variability in kelp at global scales and the key associated drivers, including resolving key oceanic and atmospheric processes or modes. The findings supporting positive trends of kelp area in the southern portion of Kamchatka warrants further future research and investigation. Grace Woerner Tropical Storm Effects on Ocean Dynamics Measured Through a Multi-Platform Observing Approach Grace Woerner, North Carolina State University Elevated low-latitude sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are associated with heightened intensity and frequency of tropical cyclone events. Tropical systems can modify surface marine ecosystems, often to the detriment of coastal communities and fisheries. Characterizing ocean properties before and after storm events can provide insight into storm-driven mixing and corresponding ecosystem responses. However, extreme conditions during tropical storms can impede ocean observing. For example, satellite remote sensing of SST and ocean color during tropical storms is challenged by cloud cover and surface disturbances such as white capping. This study pairs satellite remote sensing observations with in-situ oceanographic data to characterize oceanographic changes in phytoplankton concentrations and SST associated with a tropical cyclone in the western Pacific during March 2024 to April 2025. Chlorophyll-a is a pigment present in phytoplankton and is commonly used as a proxy for estimating phytoplankton abundance. In-situ chlorophyll-a and SST measurements collected by Argo floats were used to validate satellite ocean color observations from the NASA Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission and SST from the Multi-scale Ultra-high Resolution (MUR) dataset before and after Typhoon ShanShan, the equivalent of a category four hurricane. The PACE observations indicate agreement with Argo float data, albeit with a slight positive bias and variability in post-storm conditions. MUR SST data also closely matched Argo measurements. It was found that the typhoon passage did not produce a detectable chlorophyll-a anomaly. This finding was further investigated by comparing changes in the mixed layer depth (MLD) and assessing whether the observed storm-induced mixing reached adequate depths to significantly increase surface nitrogen concentrations, prerequisite to inducing a phytoplankton bloom. The findings suggest that while the MLD deepened, deepening was inadequate at regional scales to bring nitrate and other nutrients to the surface. Although Typhoon Shanshan did not generate mixing deeper than the nutricline, more powerful storms or those occurring in waters with shallower nutriclines may more effectively introduce nutrients into surface waters. Limitations such as cloud coverage for satellite observing, plus the sampling frequency, coverage, and sensor availability of Argo float observations, highlight the importance of continued multi-platform observations for ocean environments to advance knowledge of tropical cyclone effects on surface ocean ecosystems. Alex Lacayo Peruvian Coastal Water Temperature Anomalies Correspond to Variability in El Niño Position and Timing Alex Lacayo, Columbia University The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a basin-scale oscillation pattern in the tropical Pacific that drives, via teleconnections, atmospheric and oceanic variability at larger scales. El Niño events are ENSO phenomena defined by anomalously warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in low-latitude Pacific domains, and the spatial and temporal expression of El Niño events can vary. Recent literature has established distinct differences between the spatial expression of SST anomalies associated with El Niño events. Elevated SST in the Central (often called “Modoki”) and Eastern equatorial Pacific, for example, have been described as so-called El Niño “flavors” and are associated with different responses across global environments. This study investigates the relationship between El Niño variability and coastal upwelling within Peru’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), using satellite-derived SST as a proxy. Coastal upwelling is a vital driver of strongly elevated biological productivity in the Peru EEZ, sustaining one of the globe’s most productive fisheries and the largest anchovy stock worldwide. This analysis evaluates SST anomalies in the Peruvian EEZ as a function of the spatiotemporal dynamics of SST in the tropical Pacific during the onset and evolution of El Niño events spanning the past three decades. The analysis is conducted for two domains in the Peruvian EEZ. The first corresponds to primarily north-south coastline north of Pisco, and the second to the northwest-southeast coastline south of Pisco. Preliminary findings are consistent with Modoki events corresponding to less pronounced warming in Peru during El Niño peaks, along with a lag in post-event upwelling rebound response, compared to Eastern Pacific events. The findings indicate that seasonal timing of El Niño events modify the strength of temperature anomalies in coastal Peru. The subregional comparison suggests that the northern Peruvian EEZ is more impacted by El Niño timing and position variability, likely consistent with its lower latitude and exposure to Kelvin wave propagation. These findings support improved knowledge of how different El Niño expressions influence Peruvian coastal ecosystems, which is critical for assessing ecosystem resilience and informing the management of coastal fisheries. Melanie Lin Utility of SAR in detection of canopy-forming kelp in South Africa Melanie Lin, Boston University Kelp forests are valuable to coastal cities and towns because they support marine ecosystems, benefit economies, and dampen the effects of waves and erosion. This study aims to understand the extent to which synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can be used to accurately map the distribution of the South African canopy-forming kelp, Ecklonia maxima, or sea bamboo. SAR data was obtained from Sentinel-1, which has a five-day revisit time. SAR observations use radio waves, which penetrate clouds, thereby supporting observations of kelp forest habitat in any cloud condition. Despite the potential to use SAR to increase data availability on cloudy days, there are fewer SAR products for kelp canopy—especially sea bamboo—relative to passive optical remote sensing, which is obstructed by clouds. SAR observations were validated by comparing with manually classified optical imagery obtained using Airborne Visible Infrared Imagining Spectrometer – Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG), which was flown on NASA’s Gulfstream III in 2023 as part of The Biodiversity Survey of the Cape (BioSCape). BioSCape was an integrated field and airborne campaign collaboration between the United States and South Africa to study the biodiversity of the Great Cape Floristic Region (GCFR). More commonly used passive optical remote sensing datasets were also assessed using imagery from Landsat that had been classified using a random forest. This research shows that SAR observations yield distinct values between kelp and ocean, indicating potential to use SAR data to map kelp canopy extent in calm oceanic conditions. SAR observations in the VH (vertically transmitted, horizontally received) polarization indicates a larger distinction between kelp and calm ocean water than data in the VV (vertically transmitted, vertically received) polarization. The sensitivity and responsivity of SAR kelp forest retrievals was dependent on the tidal state during the data acquisition. In VH polarized data, a lower tidal state supports more accurate classifications between kelp and calm ocean water than a high tidal state. Waves, which may contain kelp beneath them, obscure kelp backscatter response in SAR data. This study improves understanding of the utility of SAR for mapping sea bamboo extent, which in turn supports future opportunities to develop better understanding of marine biodiversity and coastal resilience in the GCFR where sea bamboo is the dominant canopy-forming taxa. John Lund Kinetic energy of multiscale oceanic features derived from SWOT altimetry John Lund, Adelphi University Oceanic eddies are circular movements of water that separate the main flow and facilitate oceanic energy transfer across multiple scales, thereby underlying biophysical interactions and modifying climate and ocean dynamics. Oceanic eddies correspond to dynamics spanning geostrophic to ageostrophic processes, spatial scales spanning 0.1 to 100 km, and temporal scales spanning hours to months. Eddies spanning horizontal spatial scales of 0.1 to 10 km and temporal scales of hours to days, termed submesoscale eddies, are difficult to resolve from legacy satellites due to the finer spatial resolution requirements for observing smaller scale features. Conversely, eddies spanning larger horizontal spatial scales and longer temporal scales, termed mesoscale eddies, are more readily resolved using legacy satellite altimeters. This research utilizes observations from the recently launched Surface Water and Ocean Topography’s (SWOT) Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) to resolve submesoscale eddies and quantify associated kinetic energy. We contextualize our SSHA observations using the Data Unification and Altimeter Combination System (DUACS)—a project that merges satellite data to observe coarser mesoscale fields on a global scale—to visualize ocean dynamics around SWOT swaths more clearly. Comparing the kinetic energy associated with SWOT-detected features to that estimated from DUACS data supports improved understanding of the relative importance of the submesoscale in global energy transfer. Results from this investigation demonstrate that SWOT supports characterizations of features at the upper bound of the submesoscale to analyze ocean dynamics and energy cascades at specific moments and locations. Resolving the temporal dynamics of submesoscale features remains challenging due to SWOT’s 21-day revisit cycle, which also limits submesoscale characterizations to isolated swaths, but novel SWOT observations nonetheless support snapshot opportunities to constrain the role of submesoscale processes in global energy transfer. Future directions with SWOT include coupling data with high-resolution numerical models or additional satellite missions such as PACE to map a wider region and investigate key controls on biophysical interactions associated with submesoscale processes. Logan Jewell Machine Learning Classification of Remote Sensing Imagery for Investigating Changes in Natural Oil Seepage Logan Jewell, State University of New York, Brockport Spatiotemporal variability in oil content of the Santa Barbara Channel (SBC) corresponds to natural hydrocarbon seepage and past anthropogenic spills. The marine geology of the SBC is characterized by a relatively shallow and abundant hydrocarbon reserve beneath faulted anticlines that run parallel to the shore. Natural seepage occurs when pressure in the reserve exceeds hydrostatic, and gaseous bubbles coated in liquid petroleum seep through the sea floor and enter the marine environment. Because gaseous hydrocarbons and oil are both buoyant in seawater, the seepage manifests as oil slicks at the surface of the ocean. Oil has historically been extracted from the reserve by human drilling, potentially alleviating pressure in the reserve, at sites such as Platform Holly, which operated in the SBC from 1966 until production ceased in 2015. Platform Holly is located roughly 3.2 kilometers from the shore and is the only offshore oil platform in California State waters. Since decommissioning, the only mechanism releasing oil in this region of the hydrocarbon reserves is natural seepage. In this study, machine learning via a random forest model is utilized to identify and classify oil slick regions in Sentinel-2 optical images encompassing the decommissioned oil platform Holly and other nearshore waters near Santa Barbara, CA. The random forest model was developed to predict 3 classes, or targets: clear, turbid, and oil-contaminated waters. Sentinel-2 supports a 5-day revisit time, which mitigates cloud obstruction in the region, and 10-meter spatial resolution appropriate for distinguishing small-scale surface features such as slicks. 6 images were manually classified for training, and classification using the random forest supported an additional 27 classified images. A time analysis was conducted using the combined 33 images, which spanned 2019 to present to assess variability in hydrocarbon seepage starting 4 years after decommissioning to present. Preliminary results do not indicate a trend in the area of the natural oil slick from 2019 to 2025. We conducted sensitivity testing by assessing covariance between oil slick area with wind and tidal measurements and found no significant correlation to winds or tides. More frequent imagery spanning a wider temporal range could help to better determine whether oil slick area is changing or stable through time. Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsEarth ScienceEarth Science DivisionInternships Explore More 2 min read SARP 2025 Closeout Article 10 minutes ago 9 min read SARP East 2025 Atmospheric Chemistry Group Article 11 minutes ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Terrestrial Fluxes Group Article 11 minutes ago View the full article

8 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The 2025 SARP West Whole Air Sampling (WAS) Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked on the tarmac at Guardian Jet Center in Southern California. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Faculty Advisor: Donald Blake, University of California, Irvine Graduate Mentor: Oluwaseun Moses Akinola, University of Connecticut Whole Air Sampling Group Introduction Faculty Advisor Donald Blake Sarah Kinlaw Impact of Dairies on Ozone Production in Ontario, CA Sarah Kinlaw, College of William & Mary In the center of Ontario, California’s urban sprawl sits 5 square miles of livestock farming, including many dairies. Emissions from silage from dairy farms result in significant amounts of ethanol and methanol entering the atmosphere. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can participate in the formation of tropospheric ozone through oxidation and photolytic processes. Ozone is known to have negative impacts on humans, agriculture, and the climate. Of concern is that the dairy regions and regions downwind will likely have enhanced levels of ozone. In this study, 19 samples were collected from dairy farms and downwind sites over two days. The extent of enhancement in reactive species was determined by comparing concentrations of speciated VOCs, collected from air samples from the downwind sampling sites, with estimated upwind background concentrations. The “ozone production potential” (OFP) was estimated by multiplying the mixing ratios of VOCs of interest by their respective hydroxyl rate constants, and it was found that methanol and ethanol were the major VOC contributors to OFP. HYSPLIT trajectory modeling was used to determine the dispersion patterns of air masses originating from the dairy farm area and identify potentially impacted downwind communities. This analysis emphasizes the need for more robust air quality and agricultural management with a focus on directing policies to improve air quality at a local and regional scales. Ryan Glenn Examining the Chemical Composition and Evolution of Palisades Fire Gas Emissions Ryan Glenn, Dartmouth College Wildland-urban-interface (WUI) fires in the US are increasing in frequency and intensity with disproportionately large impacts on air quality and human health. The 2025 Palisades Fire alone destroyed nearly 7,000 structures and displaced more than 30,000 people. Despite their significance, they remain understudied compared to wildland fires, especially in regard to emission composition, evolution, and ozone formation potential. Here we analyze trace gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) collected via air canisters during the Palisades Fire and use the Framework for 0-D Atmospheric Modeling (FOAM) box model to simulate their evolution. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry reveals high daytime VOC concentrations despite the increase of the boundary layer. C1-C4 oxygenates exhibited by far the highest reactivity and concentrations, accompanied by alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, biogenic, and chlorinated compounds indicative of the combustion of anthropogenic materials. Using the sampling data to constrain the FOAM box model, we characterize the regime as primarily VOC-limited and identify acetaldehyde and methanol as key ozone precursors and nitric acid as the primary nitrogen oxide (NOx) sink. These findings suggest that targeted reductions in oxygenates will be most effective in mitigating ozone formation from WUI fire emissions. This study has significant implications for wildfire air quality management and highlights the need for further research comparing WUI and wildland fire emission chemistry. Riley Gallen Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) in Long Beach: Assessing Its Role in Ozone Formation and Impact on Nearby Communities/Coastal Ecosystems Riley Gallen, University of Florida Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a key precursor to ozone formation, is emitted from various combustion sources including vehicles, cargo ships, and power plants. In Long Beach, California, these sources are concentrated around highways and the busy port, thus raising concerns about localized air pollution and its broader environmental impact. This project investigates NO₂ concentrations over Long Beach using NASA’s B200 and DC-8 aircraft flight data from 2019, 2021, and 2025. Data were analyzed through latitude–longitude mapping and altitude comparisons to assess temporal trends and spatial distribution of NO₂. The 2021 dataset, collected during pandemic-related port congestion, showed elevated NO₂ levels, though seasonal differences required comparison between 2019 and 2025 for consistency. Overall, NO₂ concentrations increased in 2025 relative to 2019. HYSPLIT wind trajectory modeling often carried pollutants inland, particularly toward the communities of Wilmington and West Long Beach, which already experience elevated respiratory health risks due to pollution exposure. Although the scope of this study was not to determine the exact NO₂ sources in Long Beach, the prevailing wind patterns as indicated from the HYSPLIT model suggests the port as a likely source. While inland transport dominated during the selected flight days, wind patterns are unpredictable. This variability suggests that NO2 and its photochemical transformation into ozone could occur over adjacent marine ecosystems such as Bolsa Bay State Marine Conservation Area and Albone Cove State Marine Conservation Area. Collectively, this study highlights the potential impacts of NO₂ exposure on local communities and nearby coastal ecosystems and emphasizes the need for continued monitoring and apportionment of sources of NO2 in urban coastal regions. Owen Rader Quantifying the Impact of Meteorological Variables on Wildland Fire Spread Owen Rader, University of Delaware Past studies have revealed that wildfire is becoming more extreme due to increasing hydroclimate variability. Using Los Angeles County’s Eaton Fire, a primarily wind-driven fire, as a case study, I simulate the fire under isolated meteorological variables with a focus on quantifying the impacts of wind speed simulations on the fire’s spread. A comprehensive analysis of the Eaton Fire’s spread can indicate how Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), a growing transition zone particularly in Southern California, is vulnerable to enhanced fire activity under different meteorological conditions. This study aims to demonstrate how fuel metrics behave under different wind conditions, thus providing valuable insight into the potential rates of spread and response times to wildfire-encroached WUI areas. To achieve this, LANDFIRE surface/canopy fuel products and topographical products are used as pre-model run fire parametrizations using FLAMMAP’s built-in Landscape file generator, using variable wind speeds while holding other values constant, to output fuel-load metrics. Following this, I utilized ARSITE, a built-in application to FLAMMAP, to simulate several scenarios over time, using real-time ERA5 Reanalysis meteorological data from the wildfire event *******, and quantified the impacts of variable wind speeds. These model runs can provide valuable insights into how fires behave under varying meteorological conditions, which can be further quantified through future research to better understand how a shift towards hydroclimate extremes impacts WUI fires. Stephen Shaner Analysis of Bromoform Concentrations and Impact in California Stephen Shaner, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Bromoform is a haloalkane which is commonly found over the ocean, with major sources being marine organisms such as phytoplankton and macroalgae. This compound has been measured around California during the NASA Student Airborne Research Program flights campaigns since 2010. Within this sampled *******, 2014 showed significantly higher bromoform concentrations than any other measured year. In this study, the concentrations of bromoform from 2010–2022 were analyzed and consistently higher than average concentrations were evident over the Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Inland Empire area. The effect on ozone concentrations in the atmosphere caused by the higher concentrations was measured using the Framework for 0D atmospheric modeling (F0AM). It was found that at its peak of 28 ppt, bromoform decreases ozone concentration by 0.14% at the altitude where the sample was taken. However, the potential impact in the stratosphere of Br radicals which come from Bromoform is expected to be higher due to its reaction rates with various molecules commonly found in the stratosphere. Maggie Rasic Shifting Seas and Changing Chemistry: Gaseous Emissions in Upper Newport Bay Maggie Rasic, University of California, Los Angeles Coastal wetlands are ecologically rich environments that provide critical regulatory services, including carbon storage and nutrient cycling. However, these ecosystems are vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise, which may alter biogeochemical cycles and enhance the production of trace gases. This study analyzed whole air samples collected across six sites spanning from San Diego Creek to Upper Newport Bay to investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions at the study areas, with a focus on halomethanes and methane. Results showed increasing concentrations of halomethanes (specifically CHBr₃, CH₃Br, and CH₃Cl) as sample sites increase in proximity to the mouth of Newport Bay. Further research could indicate possible relationships between salinity, microbial activity, and halogenated compound production. Additionally, at the site closest to the ocean, a notably elevated concentration of methane was observed, a common byproduct of anaerobic microbial decomposition in wetlands. These findings suggest that sea level rise could intensify the production of both halomethanes and methane in coastal wetlands. Given their roles as potent greenhouse gases and, in the case of halomethanes, as stratospheric ozone-depleting substances, this emphasizes the importance of monitoring trace gas fluxes in dynamic coastal environments. Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsEarth ScienceEarth Science DivisionInternships Explore More 2 min read SARP 2025 Closeout Article 10 minutes ago 9 min read SARP East 2025 Atmospheric Chemistry Group Article 11 minutes ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Terrestrial Fluxes Group Article 11 minutes ago View the full article

9 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The 2025 SARP East Ecohydrology Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked in a hangar at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virgina. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.NASA/Milan Loiacono Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Faculty Advisor: Dom Ciruzzi, William & Mary Graduate Mentor: Sarah Payne, University of California, Santa Barbara Ecohydrology Group Introduction Faculty Advisor Dom Ciruzzi and Graduate Mentor Sarah Payne Ethan Bledsoe Uncovering Hidden Green to Reveal Water: Can Spectral Unmixing of Vegetation Reduce Evapotranspiration Bias in Semi-Arid Landscapes? Ethan Bledsoe, Northwestern University Deserts push life to its limits, presenting sparse vegetation and scarce water that challenge traditional methods for accurately capturing evapotranspiration (ET). Current satellite ET estimates often struggle in dryland areas. These estimates typically rely on vegetation indices like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which can be distorted by bright desert soils and sparse vegetation. This distortion leads to inaccurate ET estimates, affecting crucial decisions related to drought management and water resource planning. To address this problem, we used a technique called Multiple Endmember Spectral Mixture Analysis (MESMA), which classifies pixels into percentages of green vegetation, soil, and shade based on unique spectral signatures. We created a spectral library using high-resolution (1 m) hyperspectral images collected from the NEON Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) over the Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER). This library was then applied to imagery at different resolutions—medium-resolution (30 m) Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) satellite imagery and lower-resolution (500 m) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite imagery—to produce more accurate fractional vegetation maps. We integrated these detailed vegetation maps into OpenET’s Priestley-Taylor Jet Propulsion Laboratory (PT-JPL) ET model and compared the results to ground-based ET measurements from the SRER flux tower near Tucson, Arizona. On August 20, 2021, all models underestimated ET compared to flux tower observations. Among them, the standard PT-JPL model produced the closest estimate, while MESMA-based ET values were lower and generally declined further with decreasing spatial resolution. Because our method uses publicly available imagery and a remotely collected spectral library, it can be applied to other desert regions, enhancing our understanding of modeling ET and, in-turn, improving our water management in an increasingly arid world. Rylee Chafin Examining Changes in Vegetation Moisture Indices and Biodiversity Estimates at the San Clemente Dam Removal Site in California Rylee Chafin, University of North Georgia With dam removal becoming a more widespread practice, it is important to understand how riparian ecosystems respond to these hydrological changes. Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) flights over the San Clemente Dam near Carmel, California provide an ideal opportunity to understand changes in hydrology and biodiversity across an entire watershed, rather than at small vegetation plots. This case study investigates the only large dam in the nation that has had sufficient AVIRIS data to understand these changes. This study processed AVIRIS data from August 2015 and October 2019 and examined how the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) changes between the two flights. This data was then compared with two stream gauges located downstream of the dam to better understand the hydrology of this watershed and the effects of dam removal on streamflow. Then, I used the AVIRIS data to create estimated alpha diversity maps using the biodivMapR R package. This study found that NDMI and alpha diversity estimates were correlated in the riparian area. This indicates that moisture and plant biodiversity have changed across the riparian ecosystem, possibly as a result of dam removal, and helps us understand the ecological implications of this practice. Future AVIRIS (or other hyperspectral) flights over other dam removal sites can help expand this research to evaluate the effectiveness of these methods and better establish correlation between dam removal, moisture, and biodiversity. Sumaya Tandon Tracking Tree Emissions from the Sky: Improving Isoprene Estimates with MEGAN Sumaya Tandon, Trinity University Isoprene, a biogenic volatile organic compound, is emitted from tree species and contributes to the formation of secondary pollutants such as formaldehyde and ozone. With its short atmospheric life span of up to an hour and complex emissions dynamics, it is hard to quantify, and therefore predict, how much of it is in the atmosphere. This study employs the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN) to estimate isoprene emissions in California and Missouri, two regions with contrasting vegetation types, during the summer of 2013. The predictions were compared to airborne data, specifically whole air sampling, from the flight campaign SEAC4RS to evaluate MEGAN’s accuracy. Specifically, to parameterize MEGAN this study utilizes the North American Data Assimilation System (NDLAS) to compile a list of meteorological and surface variables. Two different models were run, one with consideration of drought stress and one without, to evaluate the impact of water stress on modeled isoprene emissions. The results of this study show MEGAN consistently underpredicted isoprene in both regions with and without water stress consideration. However, including drought stress can potentially improve predictions for areas with very low-emissions suggesting that accounting for water stress may improve MEGAN. With these findings in mind, it’s beneficial to integrate ecohydrological understanding into emissions models. Isoprene emissions from airborne data has rarely been used in the context of studying drought with MEGAN, therefore this work highlights the importance of understanding and refining stress response parameters- a crucial step towards improving predictions of biogenic emissions for future climate scenarios. TJ Ochoa Peterson Understanding the Relationship Between Cloud Type and Evapotranspiration in Shrubland Vegetation TJ Ochoa Peterson, Michigan State University Evapotranspiration (ET) is a key indicator of ecosystem health, representing water flux from the surface to the atmosphere. High ET values can result, in-part, from water-intensive vegetation while the inverse can indicate insufficient water for evaporation. A persistent challenge in remote sensing ET is cloud contamination. Thermal infrared sensors used to derive remote sensed ET apply cloud masking which removes affected pixels and results in data gaps. Although prior studies have examined the impact of cloud amount on ET, the influence of specific cloud types remains underexplored. This study investigates how distinct cloud types (Cumulus, Altostratus, and Cumulonimbus) affect surface-level ET over shrubland vegetation in Tucson, Arizona, during the North American Monsoon season. Cloud classification was performed using Cloud Optical Depth (COD) and Cloud Top Pressure (CTP) from GOES-18 Level 2 products, following criteria from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) dataset. These classifications were compared against in-situ ET observations from the Santa Rita Experimental Range NEON flux tower. Results indicate that cloud presence generally reduces instantaneous ET relative to preceding clear-sky conditions. Clouds with low altitude and low density (Cumulus, Stratocumulus) generally showed brief reductions in ET. Notable results include ET values observed under high COD and low CTP conditions, characteristic of Cumulonimbus clouds, did not differ significantly from clear-sky conditions. Future research should incorporate cloud-type into ET models to improve accuracy, particularly in regions prone to frequent cloud cover. Further work could deduce cloud-type patterns for the intent of data gap filling models that estimate ET during cloud-contaminated periods, reducing data loss and enhancing understanding of land-atmosphere interactions. Rachel Faessler Comparing Tree Biodiversity in San Jose, California Using Hyperspectral Imagery and Ground Data Rachel Faessler, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Street trees provide a myriad of ecosystem services, such as cooling air temperature, improving air quality, reducing runoff, and improving human well-being. Furthermore, having many different species of trees (high biodiversity) is important, as this improves the overall resilience of a forest community to disturbances, which increases reliable access to ecosystem services. Airborne hyperspectral data is often used to measure biodiversity or health of trees in natural forests, but rarely in urban environments. When urban ecosystems are studied, the focus is on interactions with humans or the local effects of vegetation. Uniquely, this study seeks to compare indicators of alpha and beta diversity compiled from Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) hyperspectral imagery (collected in 2024) and Dryad ground-based sampling of 264,000 street trees in San Jose, California (collected in 2021). There appears to be more spatial variability in the AVIRIS estimated beta diversity than in alpha diversity. There is a modest correlation between ground and AVIRIS derived measures of alpha diversity, which is a step forward in expanding estimates of tree biodiversity in cities using hyperspectral imagery. Future work could connect spatial variation of biodiversity to city planning measures such as income, residential/business areas, income, or redlining; compare hyperspectral diversity to areas of alpha diversity with consistent sampling; or build on different measures of diversity than species diversity (e.g. isohydricity). Katie Wilson How Does Antecedent Soil Moisture Influence Flooding in the Southeastern U.S.? A Case Study in Athens, Georgia Katie Wilson, North Carolina State University Floods are the most common and deadly natural disaster in the United States, known for their rapid and widespread impacts. While previous research has examined how antecedent soil moisture (ASM) affects flood severity, relatively little work has focused on the Southeastern United States. This region is especially vulnerable due to high annual rainfall and tropical systems, both of which can lead to flooding. To address this gap, this study investigates the relationship between ASM and streamflow response during rainfall events in Athens, Georgia, located within the South Atlantic-Gulf watershed. Precipitation datasets (1977–2025) were compiled from three NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information weather stations in Athens. Streamflow data was obtained from the USGS Apalachee River near Bostwick, GA (1977–2025). ASM data was gathered from the Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) Watkinsville station (1997–2025) and NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite (2015–2025). Precipitation events were binned by total rainfall, with maximum streamflow recorded during the event and ASM taken from the day prior. Events were grouped into four rainfall categories (0–1″, 1–2″, 3–4″, and 5–6″), and streamflow responses were compared between low (0-40%) and high (60-100%) ASM conditions using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in streamflow dependent on ASM across all rainfall bins, confirming that wetter antecedent conditions increase runoff and flood potential. Incorporating ASM into flood forecasting models, along with tools like SMAP, can improve early warning systems in the Southeast U.S. and enhance flood preparedness. Return to 2025 SARP Closeout Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsEarth ScienceEarth Science DivisionInternships Explore More 2 min read SARP 2025 Closeout Article 10 minutes ago 9 min read SARP East 2025 Atmospheric Chemistry Group Article 11 minutes ago 10 min read SARP East 2025 Terrestrial Fluxes Group Article 11 minutes ago View the full article

6 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured this image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on Oct. 2, 2025. At the time it was imaged, the comet was about 0.2 astronomical units (18.6 million miles, or 29.9 million kilometers) from the from the spacecraft.NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of ArizonaNASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona An annotated version of the image of 3I/ATLAS captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows the trajectory of the interstellar comet along with a scale bar. The image was captured by the spacecraft’s High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on Oct. 2, 2025.NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona Two orbiters and a rover captured images of the interstellar object — from the closest location any of the agency’s spacecraft may get — that could reveal new details. At the start of October, three of NASA’s Mars spacecraft had front row seats to view 3I/ATLAS, only the third interstellar object so far discovered in our solar system. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) snapped a close-up of the comet, while the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) orbiter captured ultraviolet images and the Perseverance rover caught a faint glimpse as well. Imagery from MRO will allow scientists to better estimate the comet’s size, and MAVEN’s images are unique among all observations this year in determining the chemical makeup of the comet and how much water vapor is released as the Sun warms the comet. These details will help scientists better understand the past, present, and future of this object. HiRISE The comet will be at its closest approach to Earth on Friday, Dec. 19. On Oct. 2, MRO observed 3I/ATLAS from 19 million miles (30 million kilometers) away, with one of the closest views that any NASA spacecraft or Earth-based telescopes are expected to get. The orbiter’s team viewed the comet with a camera called HiRISE (the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment), which normally points at the Martian surface. By rotating, MRO can point HiRISE at celestial objects as well — a technique used in 2014, when HiRISE joined MAVEN in studying another comet, called Siding Spring. Captured at a scale of roughly 19 miles (30 kilometers) per pixel, 3I/ATLAS looks like a pixelated white ball on the HiRISE imagery. That ball is a cloud of dust and ice called the coma, which the comet shed as it continued its trajectory past Mars. This ultraviolet image shows the halo of gas and dust, or coma, surrounding comet 3I/ATLAS as seen on Oct. 9, 2025, by NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft using its Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph. The brightest pixel at center indicates where the comet is. The surrounding bright pixels show where hydrogen atoms were detected coming from the comet.NASA/Goddard/LASP/CU Boulder This annotated composite image showing hydrogen atoms from three sources, including 3I/ATLAS (at left), was captured Sept. 28, 2025, by NASA’s MAVEN orbiter using its Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph. Hydrogen emitted by Mars is the bright streak at right, with interplanetary hydrogen flowing through the solar system indicated by the dimmer streak in the middle.NASA/Goddard/LASP/CU Boulder “Observations of interstellar objects are still rare enough that we learn something new on every occasion,” said Shane Byrne, HiRISE principal investigator at the University of Arizona in Tucson. “We’re fortunate that 3I/ATLAS passed this close to Mars.” Further study of the HiRISE imagery could help scientists estimate the size of the comet’s nucleus, its central core of ice and dust. More study also may reveal the size and color of particles within its coma. “One of MRO’s biggest contributions to NASA’s work on Mars has been watching surface phenomena that only HiRISE can see,” said MRO’s project scientist Leslie Tamppari of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “This is one of those occasions where we get to study a passing space object as well.” Follow 3I/ATLAS’ Journey MAVEN Over the course of 10 days starting Sept. 27, MAVEN captured 3I/ATLAS in two unique ways with its Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) camera. First, IUVS took multiple images of the comet in several wavelengths, much like using various filters on a camera. Then it snapped high-resolution UV images to identify the hydrogen coming from 3I/ATLAS. Studying a combination of these images, scientists can identify a variety of molecules and better understand the comet’s composition. “The images MAVEN captured truly are incredible,” said Shannon Curry, MAVEN’s principal investigator and research scientist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder. “The detections we are seeing are significant, and we have only scraped the surface of our analysis.” The IUVS data also offers an estimated upper limit of the comet’s ratio of deuterium (a heavy isotope of hydrogen) to regular hydrogen, a tracer of the comet’s origin and evolution. When the comet was at its closest to Mars, the team used more sensitive channels of IUVS to map different atoms and molecules in the comet’s coma, such as hydrogen and hydroxyl. Further study of the comet’s chemical makeup could reveal more about its origins and evolution. “There was a lot of adrenaline when we saw what we’d captured,” said MAVEN’s deputy principal investigator, Justin Deighan, a LASP scientist and the lead on the mission’s comet 3I/ATLAS observations. “Every measurement we make of this comet helps to open up a new understanding of interstellar objects.” Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is seen as a faint smudge against a background starfield in two images taken by the Mastcam-Z instrument aboard NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover on Oct. 4, 2025. At the time it was imaged, the comet was about 19 million miles (30 million kilometers) from the rover, which was exploring the rim of the Red Planet’s Jezero Crater. NASA/JPL-Caltech/****/MSSS Perseverance Far below the orbiters, on the Martian surface, NASA’s Perseverance rover also caught sight of 3I/ATLAS. On Oct. 4, the comet appeared as a faint smudge to the rover’s Mastcam-Z camera. The exposure had to be exceptionally long to detect such a faint object. Unlike telescopes that track objects as they move, Mastcam-Z is fixed in place during long exposures. This technique produces star trails that appear as streaks in the sky, though the comet itself is barely perceptible. More about MRO, MAVEN, Perseverance A division of Caltech in Pasadena, California, JPL manages MRO for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington as part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program portfolio. The University of Arizona in Tucson operates MRO’s HiRISE, which was built by BAE Systems in Boulder, Colorado. Lockheed Martin Space in Denver built MRO and supports its operations. The MAVEN mission, also part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program portfolio, is led by the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder. It’s managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. MAVEN was built and operated by Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado, with navigation and network support from JPL. JPL built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover on behalf of the agency’s Science Mission Directorate as part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program portfolio. To learn more about NASA’s observations of comet 3I/ATLAS, visit: [Hidden Content] News Media Contacts Andrew Good Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 818-393-2433 *****@*****.tld Alise Fisher / Molly Wasser NASA Headquarters, Washington 202-617-4977 / 240-419-1732 *****@*****.tld / *****@*****.tld 2025-128 Share Details Last Updated Nov 19, 2025 Related TermsMarsComet 3IAtlas Explore More 3 min read View Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Through NASA’s Multiple Lenses This article was updated to include the full range of dates from the SOHO image.… Article 1 hour ago 4 min read What Would It Take to Say We Found Life? 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