Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission view of Tutuila, a tropical island in the American Samoa archipelago.



American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of five main islands and two atolls. The largest and most populous island is Tutuila, where Pago Pago, the capital city, is situated.



The eastern part of the chain of islands forms the American Samoa, while the western part forms the independent state of Samoa.



Tutuila Island is known for its rugged terrain, lush landscapes, and deep harbors. It's the economic and political center of American Samoa, with the majority of the population residing here. The island's geography features volcanic peaks, with Mount Alava and Matafao Peak being the highest points, offering stunning views and rich biodiversity.



American Samoa as a whole has a unique blend of American and Samoan culture. The territory maintains traditional Samoan customs, making it a fascinating place for cultural studies. The economy primarily revolves around fishing and the services sector, with canned tuna being a significant export.



The National Park of American Samoa, partly located on Tutuila, helps preserve the tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and Samoan culture. This park is unique because it's one of the only national parks in the United States that's leased rather than owned by the government, reflecting the strong communal land traditions of Samoa.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Tutuila in the American Samoa archipelago 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the summit crater of Mount Erebus peeking through the clouds. Erebus is the southernmost active volcano on Earth and the second-highest volcano in Antarctica.



Mount Erebus is situated on Ross Island in the Ross Sea. It was discovered in 1841 by the British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, who named it after his ship, the Erebus.



It stands at an elevation of about 3,794 meters (12,448 feet). It's a stratovolcano, characterized by a conical shape and layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash.



Mount Erebus is known for its persistent lava lake, which is visible in the image. "The lake has been active since at least 1972 and is one of only a few long-lived lava lakes on Earth. It constantly churns and occasionally spews bombs of molten rock in Strombolian eruptions," said NASA.



"Geologists want to learn why an active lava lake has persisted here for so long. Recent research suggests one reason could be the magma’s low water content, which makes it less volatile as it approaches the surface."



Due to its unique features, Mount Erebus is an important site for scientific research. Researchers study its geology, unique gas emissions, and microbial life in its extreme environment.



However, the harsh Antarctic climate and its remote location make it a challenging environment for research. Additionally, its volcanic activity poses risks.



The image was captured on November 25,2023 by the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Mount Erebus breaks through the clouds

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

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, and its surroundings. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on February 21, 2023.



"Situated some 50 km south of the North Korean border, the metropolitan area of Seoul appears as the grey area in the center of the image," says ESA.



"The Han River runs through the city, and to the right of the image it can be seen partly covered by ice. It is one of the biggest rivers in the Korean peninsula. It flows westward through Seoul into the Yellow Sea, named so because of the yellowish sand that colours its water."



"Seoul is surrounded by forested mountains, which appear brown in this wintery image. Bukhansan National Park lies just north of the city. The park is like an island, acting as a big green lung for the surrounding urban environment."



The population of Seoul is over 9 million people, and the metropolitan area, which includes neighboring cities like Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, is one of the most populous in the world.



Seoul is a city where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge technology. It is known for its vibrant cultural scene, extensive history, and rapid economic development. The city's skyline is a blend of modern skyscrapers and traditional palaces like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, showcasing its rich heritage.



Seoul is a hub for education, with several top-ranked universities and research institutes. The city also thrives in technology and innovation - home to global companies like Samsung and LG. Street markets like Myeongdong and Insadong offer a taste of local life and traditional crafts, while districts like Gangnam are famous for their upscale shopping and entertainment.



Seoul's green spaces, like Namsan Park and the Han River Park, provide a refuge from the urban hustle. The city's blend of history, culture, technology, and nature makes it a unique and dynamic metropolis, attracting millions of visitors each year.



Image Credit: ESA&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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The city of Seoul, South Korea 

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 photograph of the city of Bentiu in South Sudan.



"The country has always experienced a degree of seasonal flooding, which normally recedes in the dry season. However, four consecutive years of incessant flooding have submerged villages, farmlands and roads. In 2023, flood waters reached almost 2 meters in some places," said ESA.



"This false-color image, captured in January 2023, clearly shows the extent of the flooded areas around Bentiu. Information from the mission’s near-infrared channel was used to process this image so water bodies appear in dark blue or black. Sediment in the waters is bright blue, while the vibrant shades of red, mainly bordering rivers, denote vegetation."



According to ESA, the yellowish area in the center of the image is the city of Bentiu - standing out like an island surrounded by floods.&nbsp;



"From Bentiu, the Bahr el-Ghazal River meanders through the inundated floodplain in a northeasterly direction. It can be traced in black in the right of the image flowing through Lake No into the White Nile," said ESA.



"Fed by the White Nile, the large, swampy area running from the centre of the image to the bottom right is the Sudd. It is a network of channels, lakes and swamps and one of Africa’s largest floodplains, providing watering and feeding grounds for many endemic mammals and birds, as well as for large populations of migratory species."



Bentiu is known for its significance in the oil industry. It's the capital of Unity State, an area rich in oil fields, making it a crucial economic hub for South Sudan. However, this wealth in natural resources has also made Bentiu a focal point of conflict, particularly during the South Sudanese Civil War.



The city's history has been shaped by its strategic importance in the region. It has seen significant development in the oil sector, but this has been marred by political and ethnic conflicts. These conflicts have often resulted in severe humanitarian crises, affecting the local population with issues like displacement and shortages of basic necessities.



Despite its challenges, Bentiu is a key player in South Sudan's economy and its future development. The city's role in the oil industry cannot be overstated, and efforts are ongoing to stabilize the region and improve living conditions for its residents.



The city's demographics are diverse, reflecting the ethnic variety of South Sudan, but this diversity has also been a source of tension at times. Efforts towards peace and reconciliation in Bentiu and the wider Unity State are crucial for the long-term stability and prosperity of South Sudan.



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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The city of Bentiu in South Sudan

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Malaspina Glacier in southeastern Alaska. With a size of approximately 1,680 square miles, Malaspina is the world’s largest piedmont glacier. It covers an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.&nbsp;



"To human eyes, glacial ice typically looks white tinged with blue. But in this false-color satellite image, the rippled ice of Alaska’s Malaspina Glacier appears more fiery than frosty," said NASA.



"In this configuration, watery features are displayed in reds, oranges, and yellows; vegetation appears green; and rock is shown in shades of blue."



A piedmont glacier forms when steep valley glaciers spill into flat plains, where they spread out into bulbous, lobate shapes. Malaspina is fed by the Seward Ice Field and other smaller glaciers.&nbsp;



Despite its size, it's relatively thin for a glacier of its magnitude, averaging only about 600 meters (2,000 feet) in thickness.



The Malaspina Glacier is a classic example of a glacier experiencing significant retreat and thinning due to climate change. This has raised concerns about its long-term stability and the broader implications for sea-level rise.&nbsp;



The glacier's meltwater contributes to the Gulf of Alaska, and its changes are closely monitored by scientists.



Most of the Malaspina Glacier is located within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Its visually striking nature, including crevasses and moraines, makes it a subject of interest not only for scientists but also for photographers and nature enthusiasts.&nbsp;



The image was captured on October 27, 2023 by the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Malaspina Glacier in southeastern Alaska 

Jupiter,Is,A,Giant,Gas,Large,Planet,Composed,Mostly,Of

The discovery of a planet that is far too massive for its sun is challenging our existing theories on solar system formation, according to researchers at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>.



The experts discovered the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-earth-like-planet-may-be-hiding-just-beyond-neptune/">planet</a>, which is over 13 times heavier than Earth, circling an "ultracool" star that is notably nine times less massive than the sun.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-discovery-nbsp">Unprecedented discovery&nbsp;</h2>



The remarkable finding introduces the heaviest known planet in a close orbit around one of the universe's smallest and coldest stars, an ultracool dwarf star. This marks the first instance of a massive planet orbiting a star of such low mass.



“This discovery really drives home the point of just how little we know about the universe,” said study co-author Suvrath Mahadevan. “We wouldn’t expect a planet this heavy around such a low-mass star to exist.”



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="Xspdbyolxo-3213339-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-planet-formation-nbsp">Rethinking planet formation&nbsp;</h2>



Mahadevan elaborated on the conventional understanding of stars and planets' formation, highlighting the role of remaining gas and dust after a star's formation in developing planets.&nbsp;



“The planet-forming disk around the low-mass star LHS 3154 is not expected to have enough solid mass to make this planet,” said Mahadevan. “But it’s out there, so now we need to reexamine our understanding of how planets and stars form.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitable-zone-planet-finder">Habitable Zone Planet Finder</h2>



The detection of LHS 3154b was made possible by the Habitable Zone Planet Finder (HPF), an astronomical spectrograph constructed at Penn State by a team led by Mahadevan.&nbsp;



This instrument is particularly adept at identifying planets around ultracool stars, where conditions might be favorable for liquid water, a crucial ingredient for life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ultracool-stars-nbsp">Ultracool stars&nbsp;</h2>



“Think about it like the star is a campfire. The more the fire cools down, the closer you’ll need to get to that fire to stay warm,” said Mahadevan.&nbsp;



“The same is true for planets. If the star is colder, then a planet will need to be closer to that star if it is going to be warm enough to contain liquid water. If a planet has a close enough orbit to its ultracool star, we can detect it by seeing a very subtle change in the color of the star’s spectra or light as it is tugged on by an orbiting planet.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hobby-eberly-telescope">Hobby-Eberly Telescope</h2>



The HPF, located at the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at the McDonald Observatory in Texas, has been instrumental in this discovery, as noted by Guðmundur Stefánsson, NASA Sagan Fellow in Astrophysics at Princeton University and lead author of the paper.&nbsp;



“Making the discovery with HPF was extra special, as it is a new instrument that we designed, developed and built from the ground-up for the purpose of looking at the uncharted planet population around the lowest mass stars,” said Stefánsson.&nbsp;



“Now we are reaping the rewards, learning new and unexpected aspects of this exciting population of planets orbiting some of the most nearby stars.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceeding-expectations-nbsp">Exceeding expectations&nbsp;</h2>



The instrument has already yielded critical information in the discovery and confirmation of new planets, Stefánsson explained, but the discovery of the planet LHS 3154b exceeded all expectations.



“Based on current survey work with the HPF and other instruments, an object like the one we discovered is likely extremely rare, so detecting it has been really exciting,” said study co-author Megan Delamer, astronomy graduate student at Penn State. “Our current theories of planet formation have trouble accounting for what we’re seeing."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-nbsp">New insights&nbsp;</h2>



The study suggests that the dust-mass and dust-to-gas ratio in the disks surrounding young stars like LHS 3154 would have to be significantly higher than previously observed to account for the formation of such a massive planet.



“What we have discovered provides an extreme test case for all existing planet formation theories,” Mahadevan said. “This is exactly what we built HPF to do, to discover how the most common stars in our galaxy form planets — and to find those planets.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abo0233" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Scientists have discovered a massive planet too big for its sun

The discovery of a planet that is far too massive...

The Biden administration has recently finalized a rule aimed at drastically reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-massive-amounts-of-methane-gas-spews-from-wildfires/">methane</a> emissions from the US oil and gas industry. This ambitious initiative seeks to cut methane emissions by nearly 80 percent by 2038.&nbsp;



The announcement, made at the <a href="https://www.cop28.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COP28 climate summit</a> in Dubai, aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change, particularly as temperatures worldwide continue to rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-methane-emissions-nbsp">Preventing methane emissions&nbsp;</h2>



Methane, primarily found in natural gas and as a byproduct of fossil fuel drilling, has over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide in the first two decades after its release. The new rule, implemented by the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA), targets this potent greenhouse gas. 



The EPA estimates that the legislation will prevent approximately 58 million tons of methane from entering the atmosphere, equating to removing over 300 million gas-powered cars from the roads for a year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-strategies">Key strategies</h2>



Key strategies in the rule include ending routine flaring of natural gas from oil wells and mandating its capture instead. The rule also emphasizes stringent monitoring of leaks from oil and gas wells, compressors, and other equipment.&nbsp;



Additionally, independent third-party monitoring using satellites and remote-sensing technology will play a crucial role in detecting large methane leaks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slashing-methane-pollution">Slashing methane pollution</h2>



EPA Administrator Michael Regan and White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi, who unveiled the rule at COP28, emphasized the Biden administration's commitment to strong action against methane pollution.&nbsp;



“From mobilizing billions in investment to plug orphaned wells, patch leaky pipes, and reclaim abandoned mines to setting strong standards that will cut pollution from the oil and gas sector, the Biden-Harris Administration is putting the full weight of the federal government into slashing harmful methane pollution,” said Zaidi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigating-climate-change-nbsp">Mitigating climate change&nbsp;</h2>



The significance of this rule is underscored by the United States' position as the world's largest oil producer. With methane emissions having surged in recent years, the legislation is seen as a critical step in slowing down the pace of global warming.&nbsp;



Experts suggest that addressing methane leaks and flaring offers a straightforward method to mitigate climate change impacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-experts">Environmental experts</h2>



The rule has been welcomed by environmental experts and climate advocates, noting the incentives for oil and gas companies to reduce leaks and flaring.&nbsp;



Carrie Jenks from Harvard Law School's Environmental &amp; Energy Law Program and Jon Goldstein from the Environmental Defense Fund both recognized the potential benefits and the environmental importance of the rule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-step-forward-nbsp">Major step forward&nbsp;</h2>



Goldstein noted that the EPA’s plan to end routine flaring is a major step forward. “The latest science is showing that flares are not just sources of waste, they’re also large sources of pollution because they’re just not working right," he said.&nbsp;



“The easiest way to stop that pollution is to stop sending it to flares in the first place. It doesn’t seem logical, why are you burning off this product you can sell?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oil-and-gas-compact-nbsp">Oil and Gas Compact&nbsp;</h2>



In a related development, fifty major oil and gas companies, including industry giants like Exxon and Saudi Aramco, pledged at COP28 to cut their methane emissions significantly by 2030. This commitment, known as the Oil and Gas Compact, targets an 80 to 90 percent reduction in methane intensity.&nbsp;



The US rule and the global commitments represent a significant step in the battle against climate change, focusing on methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases. These initiatives underscore the increasing global emphasis on actionable and verifiable measures to combat environmental challenges.



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U.S. finalizes ambitious rule to slash methane emissions 

The Biden administration has recently finalized a rule aimed at...

The Andromedids meteor shower, historically significant and fascinating from both astronomical and historical perspectives, offers a unique spectacle in the night sky. This "lost" meteor shower is associated with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biela%27s_Comet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biela's Comet</a>, which was discovered in 1826 by Wilhelm von Biela, and has the potential to put on a brilliant celestial display this weekend.



The Andromedids, also known as the Bielids, are so named because their radiant point, from where they appear to emanate, lies in the constellation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-features-found-in-the-heart-of-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andromeda</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-significance">Historical significance</h2>



The Andromedids have a rich history, marked by an intense meteor storm in 1872 and another in 1885. These events coincided with the expected return of Biela's Comet, which had split into two pieces during its 1846 perihelion passage. 



The meteor storms were caused by Earth passing through the debris left by the disintegrating comet. The 1872 storm was particularly noteworthy, with observers reporting up to several thousand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meteors-may-transfer-life-from-earth-to-other-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meteors</a> per hour, a truly spectacular event.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observational-features">Observational features</h2>



The Andromedids are known for their low velocity, appearing slower in the sky compared to other meteor showers. This characteristic is attributed to the relatively small relative velocity between the meteoroids and Earth. The meteors are generally faint, lacking the bright fireballs associated with more active showers.



However, in December 2011, astronomers unexpectedly observed a burst of predominantly faint meteors originating from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-image-of-cassiopeia-a-supernova-reveals-new-details/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cassiopeia</a> constellation. Further analysis identified these meteors as remnants from the 1649 closest approach of the once-lost comet 3D/Biela.



This comet is famously associated with the remarkable Andromedid meteor storms of 1872 and 1885. Research also suggests the potential for a more intense display of these meteors in early December 2023.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-andromedids-current-activity">Andromedids current activity</h2>



In contemporary times, the Andromedids are a minor meteor shower, significantly less intense than their historical peaks. This decline is primarily due to the dispersal and depletion of the debris from Biela's Comet. The shower typically peaks in late November, with a variable and often low rate of meteors.



However, this year may be a different story. The anticipated peak of the Andromedids display is expected around 19:00 Universal Time on December 2nd, offering an advantageous viewing opportunity for Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia.



In North America, the sun will set approximately 3 to 4 hours following the predicted peak, making it an ideal location for observation should the activity occur later than anticipated. Observers worldwide are encouraged to keep an eye on the sky during late November and early December and to share any sightings from this meteor shower.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-importance">Scientific importance</h2>



The study of the Andromedids has contributed to our understanding of cometary physics and meteoroid streams. The disintegration of Biela's Comet and the resulting meteor storms provided early evidence of the connection between comets and meteor showers. Observations of the Andromedids help astronomers understand the evolution and life cycle of cometary debris in the solar system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-andromedids-viewing-tips">Andromedids viewing tips</h2>



For those interested in observing the Andromedids, the best viewing conditions include a dark sky far from city lights, clear weather, and minimal moonlight interference. While the current rates are low, patient observers might still spot a few meteors emanating from Andromeda during the shower's peak.



The Andromedids meteor shower, though now a shadow of its former glory, remains a topic of interest for astronomers and skywatchers alike. Its historical significance and the insights it provides into cometary behavior make it an important chapter in the story of our solar system's dynamic and ever-changing nature.



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"Lost" Andromedids meteor shower offers a celestial surprise tonight

The Andromedids meteor shower, historically significant and fascinating from both...

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Lightning is even more intense on other planets Today&#8217;s Video of the Day from <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/science-news">NASA Science News</a> explores what lightning may be like on other planets beyond the Earth.
In 1979, Voyager 1 flew by Jupiter and captured areas nearly as big as the United States illuminated by lightning. 
In addition, lightning flashes have been observed on Jupiter that were ten times as powerful as any ever documented on Earth. 

Lightning has also been detected on Saturn through radio signals picked up by Voyager. During the stronger storms, the lightning on Saturn was found to occur as often as ten times per second. Jupiter is very strong and a so-called surface of liquid metallic hydrogen, a bolt on Jupiter is said to be 100 times stronger and the powerful lightning occurring on Jupiter has caused chemical changes. 
Titan might have lightning and there are electrical discharges between Jupiter and the Moon. Therefore  some 124 light-years away. Scientists detected a surge of radio waves from the planet several years ago. Those waves could be caused by a barrage of lightning striking 530 times as often per square kilometer (0.4 square mile) as storms do in the United States.   ButVenus is the hottest planet in our solar system, roasting at about 900 degrees Fahrenheit (480 degrees Celsius) under a suffocating blanket of sulfuric acid clouds and a crushing atmosphere. Add to that the fact that Venus has lightning. Lightning is even more intense on other planets 

Scientists are looking into the possibility of lightning on other planets as well, including Venus and Mars. 
&#8212;
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Video Credit: NASA Science News