Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut view of the Aladaghlar Mountains in northwestern Iran. These mountains are known for their strikingly colorful landscapes, which make them stand out among other mountain ranges.



"Ridges cast shadows in the valleys and other low elevation areas, creating a three-dimensional appearance. Human alterations to the landscape are most evident in riverbeds, where the even topography is easier to build on and navigate," said NASA.



"Natural processes over millions of years have folded rock layers of various compositions and colors into the curved patterns seen here. These folds are produced by tectonic forces operating along the convergent plate boundary of the Arabia and Eurasia plates. The convergence of these tectonic plates causes uplift, folding, and deformation of the colorful rock layers, and subsequent erosion exposes them."



One of the most remarkable features of the Aladaghlar Mountains is the vivid coloration of their slopes. The name "Aladaghlar" translates to "Colorful Mountains," which is a testament to their unique appearance. 



The Aladaghlar Mountains are part of a larger ecosystem that includes forests, meadows, and rivers, contributing to a rich biodiversity. The region supports a variety of wildlife, including several species that are unique to the area. The diverse wildlife add to the natural beauty and ecological importance of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-and-why-do-mountains-form-new-theories-for-an-age-old-mystery/">mountains</a>.



In addition to their natural appeal, the Aladaghlar Mountains hold cultural significance. The region has a rich history, with evidence of ancient civilizations and historical sites. Local communities have their unique cultures and traditions, which have been influenced by the natural environment of the mountains.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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The Aladaghlar Mountains of northwestern Iran

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features an astronaut view of the Aladaghlar Mountains in northwestern Iran. These mountains are known for their strikingly colorful landscapes, which make them stand out among other mountain ranges. "Ridges cast shadows in the valleys and other low elevation areas, creating a three-dimensional appearance. Human alterations to the landscape are most evident in riverbeds, where the even topography is easier to build on and navigate," said NASA. "Natural processes over millions of years have...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features a large sediment plume from the Yangtze River that extends hundreds of kilometers off the coast of China.



"Brown, sediment-laden water is visible along this shallow, turbid stretch of coast year-round, but a vast plume like the one visible here is a characteristic feature of winter. Scientists have proposed several causes of this seasonal phenomenon," said NASA.



"The ebb and flow of tides contain enough energy to stir up sediments from the seafloor, a 2017 study found. While there are also tides in the summer, the models used in the study showed that sediment only rises to the surface in the winter. That’s when temperatures and salinities at the sea surface and bottom are similar, allowing for vertical mixing to occur and for sediment to churn higher into the water column."



Additional studies have suggested that the summer monsoon’s influence on currents impedes the eastward flow of sediment out of the estuaries, noted NASA.



"Despite what looks like a glut of suspended sediment in the water, the overall amount of it flowing from the Yangtze River has declined steadily over the past several decades. The construction of dams, including the Three Gorges Dam, has been the primary driver of this trend."



It is important for scientists to track the movement of suspended sediment. This material can cause direct harm to marine life, as well as indirect harm by blocking sunlight.



The Yangtze River, also known as the Chang Jiang in Chinese, is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, following the Nile and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-river-dolphins-are-at-great-risk-of-extinction-due-to-human-activities/">Amazon</a>. It flows for over 6,300 kilometers (about 3,917 miles) from the glaciers of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China to the East China Sea at Shanghai.&nbsp;



The Yangtze River basin is a key region for China's agriculture, industry, and hydroelectric power production. The river's waters are used for irrigation, navigation, and as a source of freshwater. The basin is home to diverse wildlife, including the critically endangered Yangtze river dolphin or Baiji, which may now be extinct.



The image was captured on February 12, 2024 by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite sensor on the NOAA-20 satellite.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Sediment flows offshore from the Yangtze River 

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Heavy rains inundated northern California in mid-December 2002 and gave rise to extensive flooding. The above true color image (right) was acquired on December 18, 2002, by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer<a href="http://www.earth.com/image/credit-jacques-descloitres-modis-rapid-response-team-nasagsfc/"> (MODIS)</a> aboard the Aqua satellite.

The image shows some of the worst of the flooding around the lakes and tributaries surrounding the Sacramento and Feather rivers north of San Francisco Bay. Normally only small sections of these rivers would be visible in the MODIS image (left, acquired December 2, 2002).
The heavy rains were caused by a series of North Pacific storms called extratropical lows. In many areas, rain totals exceeded 16 inches. The series of storms may be related to a moderate El Nino currently active across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

The town of Guerneville and some two dozen other communities are at risk of flooding from the Russian River north of San Francisco which hit flood stage Tuesday evening and was expected to peak Wednesday morning at more than 46 feet. That’s the highest point in nearly a quarter-century.
No major problems have been reported yet but authorities worry about impassable roads and the chance of mudslides in areas scarred by wildfires.
Flood watches and warnings also remain up throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
In the Sierra Nevada, snow closed some 50 miles of Interstate 80 to the Nevada state line overnight.

Credit: <a href="https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=63578">Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC</a>

Floods in Northern California

Heavy rains inundated northern California in mid-December 2002 and gave...

These true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images acquired by the Terra and Aqua satellites show southern France in late fall 2002. At lower left the rugged Pyrenees Mountains, which separate France from Spain, are barely snow-covered in the early part of the series, but become blanketed in white by mid-December. Right of image center, the Alps separate France from Italy. At upper left is the Bay of Biscay. At lower right is the <a href="http://www.earth.com/video/italy-mediterranean-sea/">Mediterranean Sea.</a>

Southern France, also known as the South of France or colloquially in French as le Midi. Therefore is a defined geographical area consisting of the regions. Such as France that border the Atlantic Ocean south of the Marais Poitevin, Spain, the Mediterranean Sea and Italy.

It includes: Nouvelle-Aquitaine in the west, Occitanie in the centre, the southern parts of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in the northeast, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. And in the southeast, as well as the island of Corsica in the southeast. Monaco and Andorra are sometimes included in definitions of Southern France although they are principalities. You can see the snow covered mountains and plains in this area. Spain and France are known for stormy cold weather during these times.

Credit: <a href="https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=63645">Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC</a>

Southern France

These true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images acquired by...

Black smoke from an oil fire can be seen in these true-color Terra. Also and Aqua MODIS images from November 24, 2002. The smoke first appears as a large black smudge. Also in Kuwait at the center of the Terra image. Therefore which was taken during its morning overpass at 7:10 UTC. Later in the morning, at 10:15 UTC, the smoke cloud had grown much larger and started thinning out as it rose higher in the air.

The MODIS instruments also detected active fires, which are marked in red, in Iran (top), Iraq (upper left), and <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/saudi-arabia-solar-power-plant/">Saudi Arabia</a> (bottom). All four countries in the image border The Persian Gulf (bottom right), which shows turquoise-blue swirls of sediment in the water. Black Smoke from Oil Fire in Kuwait

Kuwait is a constitutional sovereign state with a semi-democratic political system. Therefore Kuwait has a high-income economy backed by the world's sixth largest oil reserves. According to the World Bank, the country has the fourth highest per capita income. The Constitution was promulgated in 1962. Kuwait is home to the largest opera house in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait">Middle East</a>.

The Kuwait National Cultural District is a member of the Global Cultural Districts Network. Although Black Smoke from Oil Fire in Kuwait has taken over the city and cause major damage there are some saving areas. The modis detects many active fires and the sediments that lay against the coast line. Also the oil reserve in this country is so large that is causes major issues for this country. Therefore causing a major decrease in sells per capita and their income coming into the country.

Credit: <a href="https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=63525">Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC</a>

Black Smoke from Oil Fire in Kuwait

Black smoke from an oil fire can be seen in...

Fire Danger Extreme in New South Wales. New South Wales, Australia, has been experiencing severe drought in late 2002. Crops have suffered, and wildfire danger is extreme. In southeast New South Wales, multiple large wildfires are burning both north and south of Sydney. Also which can be seen roughly in the center of the image.

Throughout the territory, people have been evacuated from their homes or have been urged to remain indoors and watchful. This true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer <a href="http://www.earth.com/image/credit-jacques-descloitres-modis-rapid-response-team-nasagsfc/">(MODIS)</a> was captured by the Aqua satellite on December 4, 2002, and shows active fires marked with red outlines. In the southern part of the image, large plumes of grayish-brown smoke waft out over the Tasman Sea.

CrediSouth Wales is a loosely defined region of Wales bordered by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Wales">England</a> and the Bristol Channel to the east and south. It has a population of around 2.2 million, almost three-quarters of the whole of Wales, including 400,000 in Cardiff, 250,000 in Swansea and 150,000 in Newport.

Generally considered to include the historic counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire, South Wales extends westwards to include Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. In the western extent, from Swansea westwards, local people would probably recognise that they lived in both south Wales and west Wales.

Fire Danger Extreme in New South Wales

Fire Danger Extreme in New South Wales. New South Wales,...

Snow and clouds cover the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States in this true-color Aqua MODIS image acquired December 3, 2002. The snow highlights the region’s features, namely (from left to right) Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario Lakes, but also the hilly texture of the landscape that is otherwise hard to distinguish from above.
In this image, the snow stretches across 12 of the U.S.’ northernmost states (from Minnesota to New Hampshire), down into West Virginia, and up into the two Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The streak of snow from southwestern Pennsylvania into West Virginia highlights the Allegheny Mountains in the greater <a href="http://www.earth.com/image/wave-clouds-appalachian-mountains/">Appalachian</a> Mountain Range, which stretches for over a thousand kilometers and across eight states.

The Great Lakes (French: les Grands-Lacs), also called the Laurentian Great Lakes[1] and the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of interconnected freshwater lakes primarily in the upper mid-east region of North America, on the Canada–United States border, which connect to the Atlantic Ocean through the Saint Lawrence River. They consist of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Hydrologically, there are only four lakes, because Lakes Michigan and Huron join at the Straits of Mackinac. The lakes form the Great Lakes Waterway.

Credit: <a href="https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=63423">Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC</a>

Snow Around the Great Lakes

Snow and clouds cover the Great Lakes region of Canada...

In northeastern Brazil, the dry season is coming to a close with scores of fires (red dots) crackling across the tropical landscape. This true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image was captured by the Aqua satellite on November 24, 2002. In the bottom left is northeastern Brazil, over which hover repeating patterns of small, puffy clouds. The Atlantic Ocean is at upper right, and the tan-colored sediment from the Amazon River is swirling near the coastline. In roughly mid-December, the rainy season will begin and last until May.

Brazil is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. Also At 8.5 million square kilometers (3.2 million square miles) and with over 208 million people. Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area and the fifth most populous. Its capital is Brasília, and its most populated city is São Paulo. The federation is composed of the union of the 26 states, the Federal District, and the 5,570 municipalities. It is the largest country to have <a href="http://www.earth.com/image/wildfires-burn-portuguese-island-madeira/">Portuguese</a> as an official language and the only one in the Americas; it is also one of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse nations, due to over a century of mass immigration from around the world.

Credit: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/10547/late-dry-season-fires-in-brazil">Image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz</a>, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC

Season Fires in Brazil

In northeastern Brazil, the dry season is coming to a...

Stock image of a snowing winter at Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Aqua MODIS captured thistrue-color image of snow in the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/united-states-global-waste/">United States</a>’ New England region. Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, 2002. Eastern New York covers the leftedge of the image, though it is somewhat obscured by clouds. Right of New York are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont">Vermont</a>, New Hampshire, and Maine, all of whose skies. Therefore are clearer and whose land still shows some traces of green.

Below Vermont and NewHampshire is Massachusetts. The city of Boston sits at the central edgeof the Massachusetts Bay in the east. The small state to the bottom rightof Massachusetts is Rhode Island. Also whose capital city of Providence sits atthe innermost finger of Narragansett Bay. To the west is Connecticut,whose capital, Hartford, is mostly obscured by clouds in the upper centerof the state.

Just visible at the bottom left corner is New Jersey, the Garden State. Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth line the border of New Jersey, while on the New York side of the border is New York City. Therefore snow in New England will always spread heavy during the winters. Also the winters are harsh and long. Therefore the image will show the thick snow and how far it runs and deep.

Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS RapidResponse Team, NASA/GSFC

Snow in New England

Aqua MODIS captured thistrue-color image of snow in the United...

In early September 2002, south-central Alaska appeared lush and green at lower elevations. Meanwhile the higher mountains were capped with snow. At lower left of the true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer <a href="http://www.earth.com/image/credit-jacques-descloitres-modis-rapid-response-team-nasagsfc/">(MODIS)</a> image from Sept. 2, 2002, a think line of snow dusts the peaks of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodiak_Island">Kodiak Island</a>.

Left of center, Cook Inlet is filled with sediment, probably a mixture of tidal action and river outflow.  Therefore At right, the Chugach Mountains line the coast of the Gulf of Alaska, and behind them are the Wrangell Mountains. At the top center of the image from October 9 the blue shadow of Denali can be shown.

Also South central Alaska is the portion of the U.S. state of Alaska consisting of the shorelines and uplands of the central Gulf of Alaska. Most of the population of the state lives in this region, concentrated in and around the city of Anchorage. On November 9, the shadow is even more pronounced in the center of the image. Alaska has many beautiful mountains along the coast and may have the marine layer earlier in the day but clears up to be an amazing scene of nature.

&nbsp;

Credit: <a href="https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=62708">Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC</a>

South Central Alaska

In early September 2002, south-central Alaska appeared lush and green...

Astronomers have employed a novel approach with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to uncover a largely unseen population of smaller <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-molecules-discovered-on-an-asteroid-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroids</a> in our solar system. 



By sifting through a vast archive of images captured by Hubble over a span of 19 years, the researchers have identified an impressive 1,701 asteroid trails, with 1,031 of these asteroids being previously uncatalogued.



The study was led by Pablo García Martín of the <a href="https://www.uam.es/uam/en/inicio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Autonomous University of Madrid</a>, Spain, and co-authored by Bruno Merín of the <a href="https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESAC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Astronomy Centre</a>, also in Madrid, Spain. Together, they have uncovered new data on the formation and evolution of the asteroid belt. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-citizen-scientists-hunting-asteroids-with-ai">Citizen scientists hunting asteroids with AI</h2>



This cosmic treasure hunt was made possible by the collaborative efforts of professional scientists and a dedicated group of volunteers from around the world, known as "citizen scientists." 



The researchers combined the volunteers' identifications with a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computing-and-machine-learning-enhance-airplane-performance-and-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">machine learning</a> algorithm to efficiently detect the asteroids in the Hubble images.



"We are getting deeper into seeing the smaller population of main belt asteroids. We were surprised with seeing such a large number of candidate objects," said lead author Pablo García Martín. 



"There was some hint of this population existing, but now we are confirming it with a random asteroid population sample obtained using the whole Hubble archive. This is important for providing insights into the evolutionary models of our solar system," he concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-asteroid-formation-and-evolution">Insights into asteroid formation and evolution</h2>



The large, random sample of asteroids discovered in this study offers new insights into the formation and evolution of the asteroid belt. 



The abundance of small asteroids supports the idea that they are fragments of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psyche-asteroid-is-worth-10000-quadrillion-and-nasa-is-sending-a-space-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">larger asteroids</a> that have collided and broken apart over billions of years, like smashed pottery. 



This finding challenges an alternative theory suggesting that these smaller fragments formed as such billions of years ago.



"Collisions would have a certain signature that we can use to test the current main belt population," said co-author Bruno Merín.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-s-unique-vantage-point-for-asteroid-hunting">Hubble's unique vantage point for asteroid hunting</h2>



Hubble's fast orbit around the Earth allows it to capture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-lucy-discovers-two-asteroids-instead-of-one-during-dinkinesh-flyby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wandering asteroids</a> through their telltale trails in the telescope's exposures. 



As viewed from an Earth-based telescope, an asteroid leaves a streak across the picture. Asteroids essentially "photobomb" Hubble exposures by appearing as unmistakable, curved trails in the photographs.



By knowing the position of Hubble during the observation and measuring the curvature of the streaks, scientists can determine the distances to the asteroids and estimate the shapes of their orbits. 



The faintest asteroids in the survey are roughly one forty-millionth the brightness of the faintest star that can be seen by the human eye.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborative-cosmic-exploration">Collaborative cosmic exploration</h2>



The Hubble Asteroid Hunter, a citizen-science project launched in 2019, was a collaborative effort between researchers, engineers, and the Zooniverse platform. 



A total of 11,482 citizen-science volunteers provided nearly 2 million identifications, which were then used to train an automated algorithm based on artificial intelligence to identify asteroids. This pioneering approach may be effectively applied to other datasets in the future.



"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-new-quasi-moon-will-stick-around-for-hundreds-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asteroid positions</a> change with time, and therefore you cannot find them just by entering coordinates, because at different times, they might not be there," said Merín. "As astronomers we don't have time to go looking through all the asteroid images. So we got the idea to collaborate with over 10,000 citizen-science volunteers to peruse the huge Hubble archives."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-and-the-future-of-asteroid-discovery">Hubble and the future of asteroid discovery</h2>



The project will next explore the streaks of previously unknown <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-sheds-new-light-on-mysterious-asteroid-phaethon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroids</a> to characterize their orbits and study their properties, such as rotation periods. 



However, because most of these asteroid streaks were captured by Hubble many years ago, it is not possible to follow them up now to determine their orbits.



In summary, the fascinating study led by Pablo García Martín and Bruno Merín demonstrates the immense potential of collaborative efforts between professional scientists, citizen scientists, and advanced technologies in uncovering new insights into our solar system. 



By harnessing the power of the <a href="https://hubblesite.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Space Telescope</a>'s vast archive, the dedication of thousands of volunteers, and the efficiency of machine learning algorithms, the researchers have unveiled a hidden population of asteroids, providing new data on the formation and evolution of the asteroid belt. 



This innovative approach paves the way for future discoveries and highlights the importance of continued exploration and collaboration in our quest to understand the cosmic landscape that surrounds us.



The full study was published in the&nbsp;journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aanda.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy and Astrophysics</a>.



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Beautiful photo of galaxy UGC 12158 gets photobombed by an asteroid

Astronomers have employed a novel approach with NASA's Hubble Space...

Researchers from the University of Vienna recently discovered that complex leaf vein networks, a feature prevalent in modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-true-survivors-flowering-plants-lived-through-the-dinosaur-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowering plants</a>, actually originated much earlier than previously believed. 



The research, published in the journal New Phytologist, highlights the fossilized plant Furcula granulifer. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/plant-encyclopedia/pteridophytes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seed fern</a>, from the Late Triassic period around 201 million years ago, exhibited advanced venation patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rediscovery-of-a-triassic-plant-revolutionizes-understanding">Rediscovery of a triassic plant revolutionizes understanding</h2>



The team, led by palaeobotanists Mario Coiro and Leyla Seyfullah, utilized novel methods and concepts to re-examine historical collections at the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a>. 



Subsequently, they collaborated with colleagues from the <a href="https://www.nrm.se/en/16.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Museum of Natural History</a> in Stockholm and the <a href="https://en.huji.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hebrew University</a> in Jerusalem.



Mario Coiro explains the significance of their findings, saying, "Within old collections, using new techniques, we identified a plant that displayed a unique set of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-leaf-diversity-shape-plant-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaf</a> characteristics, akin to those of flowering plants, but without their evolutionary success."



Consequently, this plant, Furcula granulifer, once thought to be an early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-investigate-the-mysterious-origin-of-flowering-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowering plant</a>, belongs instead to the now-extinct group of seed ferns



"The fossil leaves of Furcula granulifer show a net-like hierarchical veining typical of most plants today. This discovery indicates that such efficient photosynthetic structures have evolved multiple times throughout Earth's history," adds Leyla Seyfullah.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-leaf-vein-networks">Significance of leaf vein networks</h2>



The presence of intricate leaf veins in plants is crucial for efficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-finally-decoded-the-process-of-photosynthesis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> and carbon dioxide fixation. 



Consequently, flowering plants, or angiosperms, which dominate today's ecosystems, evolved this feature between 145 and 66 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. 



This development significantly contributed to the diversification and success of other life forms, including mammals, insects, and birds.



The study suggests that Furcula granulifer exhibited similar venation patterns to <a href="https://www.earth.com/plant-encyclopedia/angiosperms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">angiosperms</a>. However, it had less vein density, which limited its photosynthetic efficiency compared to later flowering plants.



The team employed a combination of traditional microscopy and cutting-edge Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy to analyze both old and newly collected material. They concluded that Furcula's similarities to angiosperms are a result of convergent evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-evolutionary-failures">Understanding evolutionary failures</h2>



The research further identifies that Furcula granulifer and its relatives represent an evolutionary dead end. They went extinct during the Jurassic period without achieving the diversity seen in angiosperms.



Another group, the Gigantopteridales, also represents a similar failed evolutionary attempt during the Permian period.



"These natural experiments offer us a window into understanding the real reasons behind the success of flowering plants, which likely stems from the evolution of multiple traits rather than a single key innovation," Seyfullah explains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-modern-science-discovered-ancient-leaf-vein-networks">How modern science discovered ancient leaf vein networks</h2>



In summary, this research led by palaeontologists from the University of Vienna has transformed our understanding of leaf evolution. 



By combining traditional and novel methods, they have unraveled a century-old mystery, revealing that the net-like leaf veining characteristic of modern flowering plants evolved much earlier than previously thought in the now-extinct seed fern Furcula granulifer. 



This discovery highlights the complexity of plant evolution and the importance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-family-tree-explains-evolution-of-flower-symmetry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convergent evolution</a> in shaping the world we see today. 



The study also identifies failed attempts at efficient leaf design during the Triassic and Permian periods, suggesting that the success of flowering plants lies in the evolution of multiple traits rather than a single key innovation. 



As we continue to explore the mysteries of nature's design, this research serves as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and the endless wonders waiting to be discovered in the fossil record.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.19726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Plants had complex leaf vein networks 200 million years ago

Researchers from the University of Vienna recently discovered that complex...

Major transformations are occurring within Arctic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/single-degree-temperature-warming-boreal-forests-wreak-havoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boreal</a> ecosystems, which are warming at a faster rate than the rest of the planet. 



Recent findings from the <a href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a>, detailed in three pivotal studies, underscore the significant environmental shifts prompted by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/northern-forests-are-being-transformed-by-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>. 



The research, led by PhD candidate Jinhyuk Kim and Professor James Randerson, suggests that ecosystems at high latitudes are becoming increasingly unstable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfires-ignite-change-across-ecosystems">Wildfires ignite change across ecosystems</h2>



The study was focused on the forests of Canada and Alaska. The researchers found that wildfires are intensifying photosynthesis rates. This phenomenon arises as fast-growing deciduous plants like willow and aspen replace the slower-growing black spruce forests destroyed by fire. 



"We’re seeing higher levels of photosynthesis that persist for decades after fire,” explained Kim. “Instead of the evergreen conifer forest coming back right away, in some regions, we see a long-term replacement of these forests with faster-growing species."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-consequences-of-wildfires">Complex consequences of wildfires</h2>



While increased photosynthesis might suggest a greater removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the reality is much more complex. 



“But because you’ve combusted the carbon stored in the plants and their organic soils, even the increase in photosynthesis we observe doesn’t necessarily translate into more carbon storage in the long run," explained Kim. 



"The increasing trends in wildfire have significant implications for forest species composition and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-ecosystems-are-endangered-by-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a> function but likely negatively affect the land carbon sink." 



"This is why it’s important to study how the changing landscape from wildfire and warming influences different aspects of land carbon cycling."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-changes-in-arctic-and-boreal-ecosystems">Tracking changes in Arctic and boreal ecosystems </h2>



To track changes in photosynthesis, Kim’s team utilized data from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 satellites. These satellites measure plant fluorescence - a novel method that provides a global view of photosynthesis rates.



“We also have this long land cover time series from Landsat, and we can look at how fires are changing the land plant cover and then tie it to changes in the solar-induced fluorescence signal," said Kim.



"We find that wildfires are changing the land cover, which, in turn, can enhance the seasonality of carbon fluxes at large spatial scales.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-shrubbery-signals-warmer-winters">Shifting shrubbery signals warmer winters</h2>



In another study led by Allison Welch, a PhD candidate in the lab of Professor Claudia Czimczik, researchers explored plant expansion across the Arctic ecosystem. 



"With increasing temperatures and wildfire activity, we’re seeing increased growth of bigger, deciduous shrubs,” noted Welch. 



Her team found that alder shrubs, in particular, are thriving, significantly boosting vegetation productivity at their study sites. Moreover, these changes come with critical implications for permafrost. 



"We reported a decrease in the thickness of the organic layer at our tundra sites," said Welch. "Shallower organic layers mean less insulation for the underlying Arctic permafrost, which carries vast reserves of frozen organic matter that, if thawed, may release planet-warming gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-clues-about-ecosystem-changes">Chemical clues about ecosystem changes </h2>



Under the guidance of Professor Alex Guenther, PhD candidate Hui Wang conducted a third study. The research was focused on an unexpected rise in emissions of isoprene - an important molecule that influences local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-climate-change-alter-alaskas-boreal-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> through its effects on ozone, aerosols, and methane levels.



“This change will indirectly change the climate,” said Wang. He noted that rising temperatures have prompted plants to release more isoprene.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapidly-changing-arctic-ecosystem">Rapidly changing Arctic ecosystem </h2>



These studies collectively highlight a rapidly changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-geese-have-a-large-impact-on-arctic-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic</a> ecosystem that is transforming at a faster rate than previously anticipated. Claudia Czimczik, a co-author on Welch’s paper, emphasized the urgent need for attention.



"These three studies are examples of how the Arctic is changing more rapidly than previously expected. Increasing wildfire activity, via its effect on vegetation composition, has the potential to accelerate permafrost thaw beyond the rates we expected from changing climate," said Czimczik.



Kim concluded with a reflection on the broader implications of the research. "We can see the environment is unstable, and that there are complex interactions from not only the changing plant communities but the responses of those plants to the rapidly changing climate." 



"These have consequences for the environment and the overall Earth system, so it’s something important that we need to understand better.”



The research is published in the journal Global Change Biology.



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Arctic and boreal ecosystems are becoming increasingly unstable

Major transformations are occurring within Arctic and boreal ecosystems, which...

Scientists have shared remarkable findings from NASA's Juno mission to Jupiter. The solar-powered Juno spacecraft has provided new insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brilliant-new-images-of-jupiters-moon-io-captured-by-juno-spacecraft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jovian moon Io</a>, Jupiter's polar cyclones, and the planet's water abundance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jaw-dropping-io-discoveries-from-the-juno-mission">Jaw-dropping Io discoveries from the Juno mission</h2>



Scott Bolton, Juno's principal investigator from the <a href="https://www.swri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southwest Research Institute</a> in San Antonio, unveiled the new discoveries during a news conference at the European Geophysical Union General Assembly in Vienna. 



The team transformed data collected during two recent flybys of Io into captivating animations that showcase the moon's most dramatic features: <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/jupiter-moon-Io_Steeple-Mountain_juno-mission_color-closeup_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a mountain</a> and a nearly glass-smooth <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/jupiter-moon-Io_lava-lake_juno-mission_color-closeup_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake of cooling lava</a>.



"Io is simply littered with volcanoes, and we caught a few of them in action. We also got some great close-ups and other data on a <a href="https://youtu.be/lg2Szj_OG_Q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">200-kilometer-long (127-mile-long) lava lake</a> called Loki Patera," said Bolton.



"There is amazing detail showing these crazy islands embedded in the middle of a potentially magma lake rimmed with hot lava. The specular reflection our instruments recorded of the lake suggests parts of Io's surface are as smooth as glass, reminiscent of volcanically created obsidian glass on Earth," he continued.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-io-s-dramatic-landscapes">Unraveling Io's dramatic landscapes</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/video/the-juno-spacecraft-reveals-origin-of-zodiacal-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Juno</a> made extremely close flybys of Io in December 2023 and February 2024, getting within about 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) of the surface and obtaining the first close-up images of the moon's northern latitudes. 



Maps generated with data collected by Juno's Microwave Radiometer (<a href="https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/instrument/Microwave+Radiometer?subselect=Mission:Juno:" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MWR</a>) instrument reveal that Io not only has a relatively smooth surface compared to Jupiter's other Galilean moons but also has poles that are colder than middle latitudes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-jupiter-s-enigmatic-polar-cyclones">Exploring Jupiter's enigmatic polar cyclones</h2>



As Juno's extended mission progresses, the spacecraft flies closer to Jupiter's north pole with each pass. This changing orientation allows the MWR instrument to improve its resolution of the planet's northern polar cyclones. 



The data enables multiwavelength comparisons of the poles, revealing that not all polar cyclones are created equal.



"Perhaps most striking example of this disparity can be found with the central cyclone at Jupiter's north pole. It is clearly visible in both infrared and visible light images, but its microwave signature is nowhere near as strong as other nearby storms, said Steve Levin, Juno's project scientist at NASA's <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> in Southern California.



"This tells us that its subsurface structure must be very different from these other cyclones. The MWR team continues to collect more and better microwave data with every orbit, so we anticipate developing a more detailed 3D map of these intriguing polar storms," Levin continued.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solving-the-puzzle-of-jupiter-s-water-abundance">Solving the puzzle of Jupiter's water abundance</h2>



One of the mission's primary science goals is to collect data that could help scientists better understand Jupiter's water abundance. 



To do this, the Juno science team isn't hunting for liquid water. Instead, they are looking to quantify the presence of oxygen and hydrogen molecules (the molecules that make up water) in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jupiters-turbulent-atmosphere-includes-a-high-speed-jet-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter's atmosphere</a>. An accurate estimate is critical to piecing together the puzzle of our solar system's formation.



"The probe did amazing science, but its data was so far afield from our models of Jupiter's water abundance that we considered whether the location it sampled could be an outlier. But before Juno, we couldn't confirm," said Bolton. 



"Now, with recent results made with MWR data, we have nailed down that the water abundance near <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-fresh-look-at-jupiter-through-an-ultraviolet-lens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter's equator</a> is roughly three to four times the solar abundance when compared to hydrogen. This definitively demonstrates that the Galileo probe's entry site was an anomalously dry, desert-like region," he concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydrogen-and-oxygen-are-key-to-jupiter-s-past">Hydrogen and oxygen are key to Jupiter's past</h2>



The results support the belief that during the formation of our solar system, water-ice material may have been the source of the heavy element enrichment (chemical elements heavier than hydrogen and helium that were accreted by Jupiter) during the gas giant's formation and/or evolution. 



However, the formation of Jupiter remains puzzling, as Juno results on the core of the gas giant suggest a very low water abundance -- a mystery that scientists are still trying to sort out.



Data collected during the remainder of Juno's extended mission may help shed additional light on the structure of Jupiter's dilute core and enable scientists to compare the planet's water abundance near the polar regions to the equatorial region. 



During <a href="https://youtu.be/Gajd3mcYnbA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Juno's most recent flyby of Io</a> on April 9, the spacecraft came within about 10,250 miles (16,500 kilometers) of the moon's surface. It will execute its 61st flyby of Jupiter on May 12.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jupiter-io-and-the-juno-spacecraft">Jupiter, Io, and the Juno spacecraft</h2>



NASA's Juno mission continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of Jupiter and its moons. With each flyby, Juno gathers invaluable data that scientists eagerly analyze, uncovering new insights into the gas giant's polar cyclones, water abundance, and the enigmatic moon Io. 



As the spacecraft persists in its exploration, the scientific community anticipates more stunning discoveries that will deepen our knowledge of Jupiter and provide new details on the formation and evolution of our solar system. 



The Juno mission exemplifies the indomitable spirit of human curiosity and the relentless pursuit of scientific truth, promising to rewrite the textbooks on the largest planet in our cosmic neighborhood.



The full study was presented at the <a href="https://www.egu.eu/meetings/general-assembly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Geophysical Union General Assembly</a>.



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Fire, mountains, and polar cyclones found by the Juno spacecraft

Scientists have shared remarkable findings from NASA's Juno mission to...

Reflection,In,Frozen,Yellowstone,Lake

Warming temperatures across the region have not altered the serene expanse of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-tourism-generates-over-1-megaton-carbon-annually/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yellowstone National Park</a>, where ice cover on the vast Yellowstone Lake, North America's largest high-elevation lake, presents a fascinating anomaly in the face of climate change.



Remarkably, the ice cover duration on Yellowstone Lake has remained consistent over the past century. This intriguing discovery comes from a comprehensive study led by <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wyoming</a> scientists. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-icy-anomaly-at-yellowstone-lake-amidst">Icy anomaly at Yellowstone Lake amidst</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lake-levels-are-falling-as-temperatures-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rising temperatures</a> are reducing the ice cover duration of most lakes globally, making Yellowstone Lake's resistance to change a unique case.



"We show that contrary to expectation, the ice phenology of Yellowstone Lake has been uniquely resistant to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-pushing-lakes-to-their-boiling-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>," noted Lusha Tronstad, lead invertebrate zoologist at UW’s <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/wyndd/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wyoming Natural Diversity Database</a>. 



Moreover, this resistance starkly contrasts with trends observed in similar lakes throughout the Northern Hemisphere.



Isabella Oleksy, a former UW postdoctoral researcher now affiliated with the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado-Boulder</a>, also contributed to this study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-science-temperature-trends-vs-icy-resistance">Ice science: Temperature trends vs. icy resistance</h2>



Yellowstone Lake is positioned at 7,733 feet above sea level and spans approximately 132 square miles. It freezes completely around late December or early January and thaws by late May or early June each year.



Consequently, to uncover the reasons behind the unchanged ice cover duration, researchers examined long-term records of ice-on and ice-off dates. 



They also analyzed climate data from 1927 to 2022, involving air temperatures and precipitation. These findings were then compared against data from seven similar lakes in northern Europe. 



Since 1950, the greater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstones-supervolcano-holds-a-surprising-amount-of-magma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yellowstone ecosystem</a> has seen a 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit increase in annual temperatures. At the lake’s high elevation, this rise has been more pronounced, with temperatures increasing by 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit between 1980 and 2018. Despite these increases, the expected shifts in ice phenology were absent. 



Using local weather data, we found some evidence for increased summer, fall, and spring temperatures, primarily in the last three decades. Furthermore, they emphasized the crucial role of air temperatures in ice formation and break-up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snow-s-shielding-effect-on-yellowstone-lake-ice">Snow's shielding effect on Yellowstone Lake ice</h2>



A pivotal factor contributing to the lake’s consistent ice cover appears to be the increased snowfall. This is particularly true in spring, which can significantly delay ice break-up.



The researchers observed that cumulative spring snow, which correlates strongly with delayed ice-off dates, has nearly doubled over the last century at Yellowstone Lake. 



In contrast, the Upper Green River Basin to the south has experienced either a decline or stable high-elevation snowfall. The ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-some-lakes-resist-the-heat-of-atmospheric-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climatic shifts</a> suggest a future tipping point, where ice phenology at Yellowstone Lake might abruptly change.



"Our results, paired with recent analyses of climate projections, suggest a ‘tipping point’ may be coming when ice phenology abruptly changes for Yellowstone Lake," the team cautioned. This shift is expected from changing precipitation patterns, transitioning from snow to more rain in fall and spring.



Despite increased spring rainfall not yet inducing a noticeable trend toward earlier ice break-up, the balance could shift. This change may occur as temperatures continue to rise and snowfall decreases. Such changes could have profound impacts on nutrient cycling, lake productivity, fisheries, and recreation, highlighting the broader environmental consequences of climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-learned-from-yellowstone-lake-ice">Lessons learned from Yellowstone Lake ice</h2>



In summary, as we marvel at Yellowstone Lake's ice and remarkable resistance to climate change, we must also recognize the critical importance of continued research and monitoring. 



This iconic lake serves as a powerful reminder that nature's responses to global warming are complex and sometimes unexpected. 



By studying the intricate relationships between temperature, precipitation, and ice cover, we can deepen our understanding of the challenges that lie ahead and develop strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change. 



Yellowstone Lake's icy puzzle may hold valuable lessons for us all, underlining the urgent need for ongoing scientific investigation and conservation efforts in the face of a rapidly changing world.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ad3bd1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Yellowstone lake maintains ice cover despite warming climate

Warming temperatures across the region have not altered the serene...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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