Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Sahara Desert on the afternoon of May 3, 2023, as the International Space Station passed above. An astronaut captured this striking image of hills and sand dunes in southern Mauritania.&nbsp;



"A line of dark, flat-topped hills known as mesas dominate the view," said NASA. "The small town of Guérou is a faint gray patch on the banks of a small stream. The faint line of a road can be seen cutting through the landscape and connecting with Guérou."



"The mesas are remnants of a large Paleozoic Era sandstone formation. They rise steeply 300 to 400 meters (1,000 to 1,300 feet) above the surrounding plain."&nbsp;



"Rocky surfaces in deserts often appear dark-toned as a result of a thin layer of black rock varnish that develops on rock surfaces enriched in manganese."



Southern Mauritania is part of the vast Sahelian region, which serves as a transitional zone between the Sahara Desert to the north and the more fertile savannahs of West Africa to the south.&nbsp;



The southern part of Mauritania is generally flatter and has a semi-arid climate. It receives more rainfall than the northern regions, but it's still quite sparse. The Senegal River, which forms the border between Mauritania and Senegal, is one of the major rivers in West Africa and is crucial for agriculture in this region.



The area around the Senegal River is the most agriculturally productive part of Mauritania. Rice, millet, and other grains are commonly cultivated. Fishing in the Senegal River is also a significant activity. Despite these resources, southern Mauritania remains relatively poor and underdeveloped.



The region is home to a mix of ethnic groups, including the Moors (both Arab-Berber Moors and Black Moors or Haratin) and various black African ethnic groups such as the Wolof, Pular (or Fulani), and Soninke.



Southern Mauritania faces a variety of challenges. Periodic droughts can devastate local agriculture. There are also socio-economic issues, including poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to education and healthcare.



The Diawling National Park, located in the southwest corner of Mauritania near the Senegal River, is one of the country's premier protected areas. The park is known for its birdlife and serves as an important wetland habitat.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Hills and sand dunes of southern Mauritania

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> features a false-color image of Lake Abbe in northeast Ethiopia. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.&nbsp;



"Visible as the large round dark area, Lake Abbe, also known as Lake Abhe, straddles the border of Ethiopia to the west and Djibouti to the east. The lake is 19 km wide and 17 km long and is extremely salty. It is dotted with clusters of steaming limestone chimneys and surrounded by large salt flats, visible in white, and rift volcanoes," says ESA.



"The biggest volcano in the image is Mount Dama Ali, a dormant 25-km-wide shield volcano that rises on the northwest shore of the lake."



"Lake Abbe and Lake Afambo, which is visible at the top of the image, are part of a chain of six connected salt lakes, fed by the Awash River - one of Ethiopia’s biggest rivers.'



Copernicus Sentinel-2’s near-infrared channel highlights vegetation in bright red. This strategy makes it easy to spot algal blooms, such as the one that is visible in Lake Abbe. According to ESA, the light blue color on the west shore indicates sediment discharged into the lake.



"Because of its dry, desert, almost lunar landscape and the steaming, sulphuric vents, Lake Abbe is considered one of the most inaccessible areas on Earth," says ESA. "Earth observation satellites are key in these cases as they are particularly relevant for monitoring remote regions such as this."



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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Lake Abbe in northeast Ethiopia

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features vibrantly colored water near the coastline of Vancouver Island.



"The colorful plumes - which are likely comprised of both phytoplankton and sediment - stood out in this image, acquired by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite on July 26," said NASA.



"Clouds covered much of Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia at the time of this image. But coastal areas were cloud-free, exposing water that likely contained flourishing populations of phytoplankton - floating plant-like organisms that are the foundation of the aquatic food web."



During the summer in the northeast Pacific Ocean, phytoplankton blooms are frequent due to offshore winds pushing surface waters away from the coast. This leads to the upwelling of cooler, nutrient-rich waters from the depths, which fuels the growth of phytoplankton.&nbsp;



The Salish Sea plays a significant role in supplying nutrients through its circulation and upwelling, enhancing phytoplankton productivity along the continental shelf near Vancouver Island. Additionally, the bloom may also be fueled by nutrient-rich sediment runoff from the coast.



Vancouver Island is known for its lush landscapes, including mountains, forests, and stunning coastlines. The island is also home to the city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.&nbsp;



Vancouver Island offers various outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing, including opportunities to see whales and bears. The island has a rich Indigenous history, which is reflected in many of its local arts and cultural exhibits



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Vibrant colors off the coast of Vancouver Island

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory </a>&nbsp;features a massive smoky storm cloud that developed over Northwestern Canada on September 16, 2023.



"For much of summer 2023, fires burned through boreal forests in northern British Columbia and Alberta, and in the South Slave Region of the Northwest Territories. The blazes triggered evacuations as they approached towns and unleashed plumes of smoke that occasionally dipped south into the United States," said NASA.



"In mid-September, strong winds from a passing cold front interacted with some of the fires to create a vast smoke-infused cloud spiral. The smoky storm, which spanned hundreds of kilometers, is visible in this image captured by the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the NOAA-20 satellite."



Wind gusts as high as 40 miles per hour intensified the fires and created towering “fire clouds” called pyrocumulonimbus clouds, which boosted smoke up into the storm clouds.&nbsp;



“We see dozens of pyrocumulonimbus clouds each year, but this was an impressive event,” said Colin Seftor, an atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.&nbsp;



Seftor monitors the spread of the airborne aerosols within wildfire smoke using the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite sensor on the NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite.



“After the smoke was lofted up and entrained within the circulation of a passing low-pressure system, it resulted in the highest aerosol measurements we’ve seen this year,” said Seftor. “We did see two other smoke events in Canada in mid-August and early September, when aerosol index values were nearly as high,” he added.



Atmospheric scientist Hiren Jethva analyzed data collected by a lidar sensor on NASA’s ICESat-2 to measure the height of the smoke plume. “ICESat-2 data show a rising smoke cloud ranging from 6 to 11 kilometers,” he said.&nbsp;



According to NASA, scientists track smoke heights as part of a broader effort to understand how aerosols within wildfire smoke affect the radiation budget and climate when they form smoke layers above clouds.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Smoke-infused storm cloud over the Northwest Territories 

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory </a>&nbsp;features the port city of Derna on the northeastern coast of Libya, where heavy rainfall caused catastrophic flooding that killed thousands of people.&nbsp;



"On September 10 and 11, over 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain fell on Derna. The city lies at the end of a long, narrow valley, called a wadi, which is dry except during the rainy season," explained NASA.



"Floods triggered two dams along the wadi to collapse. The failure of the second dam, located just one kilometer inland of Derna, unleashed 3- to 7-meter-high floodwater that tore through the city. According to news reports, the flash floods destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods out to sea."



The image was captured by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 on September 18. It shows the eroded banks of Wadi Derna, and muddy water off the coast.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"Preliminary estimates by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) indicate that 3,100 buildings in Derna were damaged by rushing water. According to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40,000 people in the country were displaced by the storm, and 30,000 of those were displaced from Derna," said NASA.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Aftermath of catastrophic flooding in Derna, Libya

The,Sun,And,The,Earth,-,Elements,Of,This,Image

A new study illuminates the drastic climatic conditions that could lead to a mass extinction of humans and all mammals, rivaling the extinction of the dinosaurs, approximately 250 million years into the future. 



This research posits that the formation of a supercontinent, merging of the world’s current continents, will create a largely inhospitable environment. Extreme temperatures will plague this new <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/supercontinents-101-pannotia-gondwana-and-pangea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supercontinent</a> and will severely endanger most mammal species, including humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supercomputer-predictions">Supercomputer predictions</h2>



For the first time, researchers have employed supercomputer climate models to simulate future climatic conditions, exposing the severe intensification of climate extremes as the Earth’s continents coalesce to form a singular, uninhabitable supercontinent. 



The process would escalate average global temperatures, making survival for most mammals virtually impossible due to their inability to adapt to such extreme heat conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sun-s-brightness-and-tectonic-activity">Sun’s brightness and tectonic activity</h2>



Further, the research projects escalation in the sun’s brightness, which would emit more energy and increase Earth’s temperatures. 



Additionally, the formation of the supercontinent will be marked by frequent volcanic eruptions due to tectonic processes within the Earth’s crust. This would release enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and exacerbate global warming. 



The research team says that the increasing carbon dioxide levels, coupled with a hotter sun and extreme continentality, will create a triple threat. This, in turn, will cause temperatures to rise between 40 to 70 degrees Celsius in most areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extinction-of-humans-and-mammals">Extinction of humans and mammals</h2>



Mammals, including humans, have historically evolved to endure climatic extremes, adapting to cold through features like fur and hibernation. However, their ability to tolerate high temperatures has remained relatively constant, making the survival in prolonged excessive heat almost impossible. 



The climatic conditions portrayed in this study, if they come to fruition, would not be survivable for mammals due to their inability to dissipate heat through sweat and cool their bodies. This would result in the extinction of humans.



Dr Eunice Lo, a co-author of the study, emphasized the urgency to address the current climate crisis resulting from human-induced global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Extreme heat, which is already detrimental to human health, underscores the immediate need for global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-projections-and-co2-levels">Future projections and CO2 levels</h2>



To project future climatic conditions and CO2 levels, scientists simulated temperature, wind, rain, and humidity trends for the next expected supercontinent -- Pangea Ultima. 



The models estimate CO2 levels rising from 400 ppm today to over 600 ppm in the future, assuming humanity ceases fossil fuel consumption. Otherwise, such levels may be reached much sooner. 



Professor Benjamin Mills, who led the CO2 calculations, pointed out the grim outlook for the future with potential double CO2 levels, 2.5% more radiation from the sun, and a supercontinent situated in the hot, humid tropics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exoplanet-research-and-habitability">Exoplanet research and habitability</h2>



This study also emphasizes the importance of considering tectonics and continental layouts in researching <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/next-generation-telescopes-could-detect-signs-of-life-on-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets</a> or planets beyond our solar system. 



The research illustrates that being in the ‘<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-our-galaxys-planets-could-be-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable zone</a>’ of a solar system does not guarantee a planet's habitability for humans. The landmass layout of a distant world plays a pivotal role in determining its livability.



In summary, while the projections paint a bleak picture for life in the distant future due to extreme heat and harsh conditions, it simultaneously accentuates the urgent need for addressing current climate crises and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to preserve the planet’s habitability. 



The collective endeavor to reach <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-net-zero-world-will-require-75-trillion-of-investment-and-1-billion-electric-cars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">net-zero emissions</a> is more critical than ever, not only to prevent human extinction, but also for the diverse mammalian species sharing this planet.



The full study by the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a> was published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-023-01259-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-mass-extinctions">Past mass extinctions</h2>



The Earth's geological and climatic history is punctuated by several mass extinction events, moments in time when the planet experienced abrupt shifts, leading to the substantial loss of its biodiversity.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ordovician-silurian-extinction-around-443-million-years-ago">Ordovician-Silurian Extinction (Around 443 million years ago)</h3>



In this first notable mass extinction, ice ages predominated and caused substantial marine life loss, wiping out nearly 85% of sea life. Changing sea levels and temperatures reduced habitat range and induced environmental stress, directly affecting marine biodiversity. This extinction primarily decimated marine species, since life on land was scarce during this period.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-late-devonian-extinction-around-360-million-years-ago">Late Devonian Extinction (Around 360 million years ago)</h3>



The Late Devonian extinction left a significant impact, with a 75% reduction in species. This extinction event extensively affected marine life, particularly reef-building organisms and fish. Volcanic activity and asteroid impacts are considered primary culprits, disrupting ecosystems and altering atmospheric conditions, leading to extensive marine anoxia.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-permian-triassic-extinction-around-252-million-years-ago">Permian-Triassic Extinction (Around 252 million years ago)</h3>



Often referred to as "The Great Dying," this cataclysm annihilated around 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species. Massive volcanic eruptions in what is now Siberia released colossal amounts of lava, triggering severe climate change, acid rain, and ocean acidification. These environmental alterations devastated global ecosystems, transforming life on Earth.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-triassic-jurassic-extinction-around-200-million-years-ago">Triassic-Jurassic Extinction (Around 200 million years ago)</h3>



This event marked the end of the Triassic and the rise of the Jurassic period, with around 50% of species perishing. Large-scale volcanic activities and resultant climate changes are believed to be the driving forces, facilitating the dominance of dinosaurs by clearing ecological niches and allowing for adaptive radiations of various species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cretaceous-paleogene-extinction-around-66-million-years-ago">Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction (Around 66 million years ago)</h3>



This well-known mass extinction event resulted from a colossal asteroid impact, creating the <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/the-chicxulub-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chicxulub crater</a> in present-day Mexico and obliterating approximately 75% of all species, including the non-avian dinosaurs. The impact caused wildfires, tsunamis, and released substantial quantities of sulphur, leading to a "nuclear winter" effect, causing extreme and sudden climate shifts.



Examining these extinction events, we observe the recurring themes of sudden environmental and climatic changes -- often due to volcanic activity or celestial impacts -- that drastically altered life on Earth. 



These past events are crucial in understanding the fragility of life on our planet and underscore the importance of preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance in the face of current environmental changes and challenges. They serve as poignant reminders of Earth's dynamic history and the transitory nature of its inhabitants.



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Scientists predict a new mass extinction that will wipe out humans and all mammals

A new study illuminates the drastic climatic conditions that could...

Every glimmer of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-spectacle-northern-lights-may-be-visible-in-17-states-next-week/">northern lights</a> – also known as aurora borealis - has its origins in a specific area on the solar surface. As a result of escalating solar activity, the upcoming year and a half are set to be replete with such celestial glimmers.



Since the end of 2022, a dramatic surge in the observation of sunspots - a pivotal metric for predicting the aurora borealis - has exceeded prior projections. This upswing has, in certain instances, expanded the observable scope of this natural light display.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-escalation-in-solar-activity">Escalation in solar activity</h2>



If it persists, scientists anticipate that the next 18 months could usher in the strongest northern lights activity of both the upcoming decade and the preceding 20 years. This amazing spectacle will be observable more frequently and from a broader array of locations worldwide.



“Skywatchers are excited,” said Mark Miesch, a scientist at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/">University of Colorado Boulder</a> and the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA).



In 2019, the <a href="https://blogs.nasa.gov/solarcycle25/2022/07/27/solar-cycle-25-is-exceeding-predictions-and-showing-why-we-need-the-gdc-mission/">Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel</a>, a globally represented scientific assembly backed by NASA and NOAA, which predicts sunspot activities, had initially projected a below-average count of approximately 110 to 115 sunspots at its peak.&nbsp;



However, revised models from various experts indicate a potential substantial escalation in solar activity.



According to the scientists, there will be a significant rise in solar activity until the autumn of 2024. It is during this period that the probability of witnessing the aurora borealis is at its pinnacle, according to Miesch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-weather">Space weather</h2>



Sunspots, characterized by their darker appearance, reduced temperature, and heightened magnetic activity on the solar surface, give rise to space weather. This occurs when magnetic anomalies propel particles into the cosmos, a phenomenon known as coronal mass ejection.&nbsp;



These particles traverse over 94 million miles before they encounter breaches in the Earth’s magnetic field, leading to collisions with the atmospheric elements and resulting in the radiant hues that fill the sky.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extended-visibility-range-nbsp">Extended visibility range&nbsp;</h2>



Typically, the aurora borealis is most prominent near the Polar regions, where the Earth's magnetic fields are relatively weaker.&nbsp;



However, the increased solar activity has already extended the visibility range of the lights this year. Recent sightings have been reported as far south as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and even Arizona.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-field-disturbances-nbsp">Magnetic field disturbances&nbsp;</h2>



Yet, solar weather is not the sole contributing factor. According to Miesch, the spring and autumn equinoxes induce amplified disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field.&nbsp;



This amplification results from the alignment of the Earth’s magnetic field to expose its most vulnerable segments towards the sun and thus granting space particles a more straightforward entry into our planet’s atmosphere.



“When there’s a big disturbance in the magnetic field, then you are more likely to see aurora at lower latitudes,” Miesch told NBC News.



As a consequence, this alignment would nearly double the chances of witnessing the northern lights in the following days.



The documentation of sunspots stands as one of the most enduring observational datasets, with records tracing back to the 17th century.



“Sunspots are our window to the past to compare current activity to what it was centuries ago,” Miesch told NBC.



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Northern lights activity will intensify over the next 18 months

Every glimmer of the northern lights – also known as...

In a recent study led by Professor Adrian David Cheok at the <a href="https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tokyo</a>, researchers have successfully deciphered the emotional states of chickens through their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zebra-finches-use-both-calls-and-vision-to-coordinate-flight/">vocalizations</a>. This unique endeavor seeks to bridge the interspecies communication gap.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chicken-vocalizations">Chicken vocalizations</h2>



The research, which is still awaiting peer review, has reported a groundbreaking achievement. The team determined the six emotional states of chickens - hunger, fear, anger, contentment, excitement, and distress - with 80% accuracy solely based on vocalizations.&nbsp;



The preliminary findings have been documented in a paper submitted to Nature Scientific Reports and initially published in <a href="https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3034567/v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research Square</a>.



Cheok, otherwise recognized for his sex robot research, humorously commented on this novel venture: “It’s a cluckin’ great leap for science! And this is just the beginning."



"We hope to be able to adapt these AI and ML techniques to other animals and lay the groundwork for incredible intelligence in the various animal-related industries. If we know what animals are feeling we can design a much better world for them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-emotional-analysis-learning-deal">Deep Emotional Analysis Learning (DEAL)</h2>



“Our methodology employs a cutting-edge AI technique we call Deep Emotional Analysis Learning (DEAL), a highly mathematical and innovative approach that allows for the nuanced understanding of emotional states through auditory data,” explained Cheok.&nbsp;



The innovative AI technique holds the promise of designing a more humane environment for animals by better comprehending their feelings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborative-expertise-nbsp">Collaborative expertise&nbsp;</h2>



"We conducted our study with a sample of 80 chickens, meticulously recording and analyzing their vocalizations under various conditions," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"To ensure the accuracy of our system's interpretations, we collaborated with a team of eight animal psychologists and veterinary surgeons, who provided expert insights into the emotional states of the chickens."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accurate-results">Accurate results</h2>



The researchers meticulously analyzed approximately 200 hours of chicken sounds. The AI system was trained on half of these recordings, where each sound was labeled with a corresponding emotional state.&nbsp;



When tested on the remaining 100 hours of chicken vocalizations, the system impressively pinpointed the chickens' emotional states most of the time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-welfare">Animal welfare</h2>



“This research not only opens up new avenues for understanding and improving animal welfare but also sets a precedent for further studies in AI-driven interspecies communication,” said the study authors.



They noted that chickens are “highly social animals” and plan to create a free app so that farmers can use the technology to communicate with their chickens.



According to the researchers, this study not only enhances our understanding of animal welfare but also sets the foundation for further exploration in AI-facilitated interspecies communication.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



Farming Online recognizes the immense potential of this research, saying that it could redefine animal welfare, advance veterinary medicine, improve poultry farming conditions, and assist animal behavior research, among other applications.



"The novelty of our approach lies in its application of sophisticated AI techniques to a largely unexplored area of study," concluded the researchers.



"By bridging the gap between human and animal communication, we believe our research will pave the way for more empathetic and effective interactions with the animal kingdom."



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AI can now interpret the emotional states of chickens through their noises

In a recent study led by Professor Adrian David Cheok...

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<script src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
 
The WORF provides optimal view of Earth from space Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/science-news">NASA Science News</a> features the Window Observational Research Facility on the International Space Station (ISS), also known as the WORF, which is a large window that enables scientists to take high resolution images of our planet.
Earth scientist Mario Runco, who conceived the WORF with his colleagues Dr. Dean Eppler and Dr. Karen Scott, is proud of sharing his experience aboard the ISS with everyone back on Earth.
The WORF was launched on the Space Shuttle Discovery to the ISS in 2010. About Zoom Earth Zoom Earth shows live weather satellite images updated in near real-time, and the best high-resolution aerial views of the Earth in a fast, zoomable map. Explore recent images of storms, wildfires, property and more. Your Planet Is Changing. We&#8217;re On It. NASA uses the vantage point of space to increase our understanding of our home planet, improve lives, and safeguard our future. We monitor Earth’s vital signs from land, air and space with a fleet of satellites and ambitious airborne and ground-based observation campaigns. 
It is essential to be aware that many different perspectives exist and that learning to understand the world from many points of view enhances our knowledge and skills. It is also essential to realize that our perspectives incorporate all life experiences and draw upon knowledge from many fields of inquiry. From rising sea levels to the changing availability of freshwater, NASA enables studies that unravel the complexities of our planet from the highest reaches of Earth’s atmosphere to its core. NASA’s Earth science work also makes a difference in people’s lives around the world every day.  The WORF provides optimal view of Earth from space as seen above in video shows features.
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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
Video Credit: NASA Science News