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 European Space Agency...

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 

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/151929/indonesian-fires-return-in-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Moon peeking over Earth's horizon. The image was captured as the International Space Station was orbiting over Iraq. 



"Taken at an oblique angle from an altitude of 406 kilometers (252 miles), the photo has a perspective that highlights Earth’s atmospheric limb, or the edge of the atmosphere," says NASA.



"The blue-toned haze that fades into the darkness of space is the mesosphere, which reaches an altitude of about 80 kilometers (50 miles). Above the mesosphere is the thermosphere. Although this layer is part of Earth’s atmosphere, it is commonly considered part of outer space."



According to NASA, the Moon is about 405,500 kilometers (251,000 miles) away from Earth at its furthest point, or apogee.



"Below the wispy clouds in the middle of the view is Lake Assad, a Euphrates River reservoir in northern Syria," notes NASA.



"Lake Assad is Syria’s largest lake and a primary source of the region’s drinking and irrigation water. The Tabqa Dam, which created the lake, is the largest hydroelectric dam in the country."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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The Moon peeks over Earth's horizon

Picture,Of,Tired,Unhappy,Dark-skinned,University,Student,Rubbing,Neck,Because

A new study highlights the significant impact of sleep deprivation on decision-making, particularly in high-stress jobs like politics, military leadership, and first response.&nbsp;



The research sheds light on the critical role sleep plays in maintaining cognitive performance and emotional well-being, especially under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/petting-dogs-and-cats-dramatically-reduces-stress/">stress</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-sleep-nbsp">Importance of sleep&nbsp;</h2>



The importance of sleep is well-documented in terms of human health, cognitive functioning, and emotional regulation.&nbsp;



Previous studies have indicated that a lack of sleep can lead to reduced neurocognitive functions, including attention, motor responses, inhibition control, and working memory.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risky-decision-making-nbsp">Risky decision-making&nbsp;</h2>



However, the new research provides further insights, particularly into how sleep deprivation affects risky decision-making at a neuroimaging level.



The researchers discovered that 24 hours of sleep deprivation significantly alters an individual’s decision-making process. The effect is evidenced by dampened neural responses to the outcomes of decisions.&nbsp;



This means that individuals who have pulled an all-nighter show reduced positive emotions when they experience wins and lessened negative emotions when faced with losses, compared to their reactions when well-rested.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-deprivation-and-decisions">Sleep deprivation and decisions</h2>



Zhuo Fang, a data scientist in the Department of Psychology at the <a href="https://www.uottawa.ca/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ottawa</a>, emphasized the emotional impact of sleep deprivation.&nbsp;



“Common sense does dictate if people incur sleep loss, sleep disturbance or a sleep disorder that their cognitive function will be impacted, their attention and efficiency will decrease. But there is an emotional impact, too,” said Fang.



“If you experience even just one night of sleep deprivation, there will be an impact, even on a neural level. So, we wanted to combine brain imaging and behaviour to see that impact."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-insights-on-sleep-and-decision-making">Key insights on sleep and decision-making</h2>



The study involved 56 healthy adults and found that a single night without sleep significantly decreased brain activation in response to winning and losing situations. This indicates that acute sleep loss can dampen neural responses during risk-taking decisions.&nbsp;



Furthermore, total sleep deprivation disrupts the link between neural response and an individual’s risk-taking behavior, likely due to altered risk perception.



While many studies have shown the broad effects of sleep deprivation on various brain and cognitive functions, including attention processing, memory consolidation, and learning, this study uniquely focuses on the specific impact of sleep loss on decision-making.



The findings highlight the necessity of adequate sleep, particularly for those in professions where critical decisions are made under conditions of sleep deprivation.&nbsp;



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



“These results underscore the importance of maintaining adequate sleep and how individuals should refrain from making important decisions when experiencing chronic or acute sleep deprivation,” said Fang.&nbsp;



“In specific professions where decision-makers are required to operate under accumulated sleep loss, specialized training or fatigue risk management might be necessary to enable them to handle such situations effectively.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14465" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psychophysiology</a>.



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Lack of sleep leads to risky decision-making

A new study highlights the significant impact of sleep deprivation...

Sentinel warning calls in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-birds-dream-of-flying-scientists-say-they-now-know-the-answer/">birds</a> may be universally understood, transcending continental boundaries, according to a new study.&nbsp;



This discovery not only expands our understanding of animal communication but also hints at an evolutionary convergence in vocal signals related to danger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signs-of-danger">Signs of danger</h2>



The research was led by Henry Pollock, executive director of the Southern Plains Land Trust, and Jonah Dominguez, a graduate student at the <a href="https://illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a>.



Sentinel species, like the Paridae family, are pivotal in mixed-species groups for their distinct alarm calls. These calls, like the “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” of chickadees, are recognized by various bird species, emphasizing their role as universal signals of danger.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anti-predator-behavior-nbsp">Anti-predator behavior&nbsp;</h2>



“Many animals form mixed-species groups, and the thought is that this is an anti-predator behavior,” said Pollock. “There is safety in numbers, and there is a benefit to surrounding yourself with a more diverse set of eyes and ears."



"However, you have to be able to understand the information that the others around you give to make use of it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The research team set out to investigate whether bird communities across three continents – North America, Europe, and Asia – could interpret the alarm calls of a previously unknown sentinel, the dusky-throated antshrike, a Central and South American bird known for its sentinel role.



The study included contributions from Mark Hauber (GNDP) and international collaborators from Serbia and China.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-results">Surprising results</h2>



The experts played warning calls of the dusky-throated antshrike to different bird flocks. They theorized that birds would react most strongly to familiar local sentinel calls. But the results were surprising.



“We expected to see some kind of response to the novel antshrike’s calls, but predicted that birds wouldn’t respond as strongly to it as their own local sentinel’s calls,” said Dominguez.&nbsp;



“However, we were surprised to find no statistical difference in how birds responded to the local versus foreign sentinel’s alarm call. Birds were responding to the unfamiliar antshrike’s call as if it was a bird they’ve known their whole lives.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universal-recognition-nbsp">Universal recognition&nbsp;</h2>



According to the researchers, flocks of birds across all three continents responded equally as strongly to the unfamiliar antshrike’s warning calls as they did to familiar, local sentinel’s warning calls.&nbsp;



The experts say this finding suggests there is something to sentinel calls that makes them universally recognizable.&nbsp;



For messages that contain important information, such as a warning call for danger, evolution likely converges on similar sounding calls that help get across the message as quickly as possible, according to the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-central-theme-nbsp">Central theme&nbsp;</h2>



“It’s possible that these calls are more readily recognized across species because they have a central theme – essentially something about them that is unique and conserved despite millions of years in evolutionary history,” explained Dominguez.&nbsp;



“There is research in other animals on specific amplitudes and frequencies of sound that cause innate responses, even in animals that are unfamiliar with those sounds. Our study can help researchers figure out what those acoustic elements might be for birds.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signal-recognition-nbsp">Signal recognition&nbsp;</h2>



“What’s amazing is that our findings are consistent across three different continents with completely different bird communities, which suggests there is some signal encoded within these sentinel alarm calls that cause birds to respond to them, independent of previous experience with that signaler,” explained Pollock.&nbsp;



“This really highlights that signal recognition is not always something that has to be learned through environmental experience.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-prospects-nbsp">Future research prospects&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers said the study opens the door to many future research directions. They noted that testing birds with the calls of other sentinels and getting more granular in terms of the behavioral responses are potential next steps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-sentinel-species">Defining sentinel species</h2>



Dominguez wants to find the common thread among sentinel birds in an effort to standardize what is categorized as a sentinel species across the literature.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Sentinel species are not very well defined, as the term is used nebulously for any animals that engage in mixed-species foraging and signaling,” said Dominguez.&nbsp;



“There’s lots of birds that we don’t typically think of as sentinels being classified as them in the literature, and others that probably are sentinels that are being overlooked. I want to figure out if there’s a common thread between them, and whether the term should be used on the species level or more on a flock level.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2023.0332" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology Letters</a>.



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Sentinel warning calls seem to be universally understood by birds

Sentinel warning calls in birds may be universally understood, transcending...

NASA's <a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/odyssey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter</a>, a veteran in Martian exploration, has achieved yet another milestone in its long-standing mission. Celebrating its 22nd year at Mars, the spacecraft has captured a series of awe-inspiring panoramic images of the red planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brand-new-perspective-nbsp">Brand new perspective&nbsp;</h2>



Jonathon Hill of <a href="https://www.asu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arizona State University</a> is the operations lead for Odyssey’s camera, called the Thermal Emission Imaging System (<a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/odyssey/mission/instruments/themis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THEMIS</a>). 



“If there were astronauts in orbit over <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-may-have-finally-discovered-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>, this is the perspective they would have,” said Hill. “No Mars spacecraft has ever had this kind of view before.”



The collection of ten images, taken from approximately 250 miles above Mars, showcases a breathtaking view of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mars_horizon_Odyssey-orbiter_1medium-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian landscape</a> enveloped in layers of clouds and dust. These visuals provide a stunning representation of Mars and will greatly improve our scientific understanding of the planet’s atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behind-the-scenes-nbsp">Behind the scenes&nbsp;</h2>



Creating such an expansive view wasn't without its challenges. Engineers at <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> and Lockheed Martin Space, the teams responsible for managing and operating Odyssey, invested three months in planning <a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/resources/27804/odysseys-themis-views-the-horizon-of-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">these observations</a>. 



THEMIS, an infrared camera sensitive to warmth, typically points straight down and is fixed in place on the orbiter. Its primary function involves mapping ice, rock, sand, and dust on Mars’ surface, along with monitoring temperature changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-operation">Complex operation</h2>



To capture a unique perspective of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-evidence-found-for-life-on-mars-where-ancient-rivers-once-flowed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>, the entire spacecraft had to be rotated almost 90 degrees – a maneuver that required precise calculations to ensure the solar panels remained sunlit without overheating sensitive equipment. 



This reorientation temporarily cut off communication with Earth, adding another layer of complexity to the operation.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="jndRDp73Mq-3206047-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-martian-atmosphere">The Martian atmosphere</h2>



The innovative method allowed for the observation of details in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-martian-sky-often-has-an-eerie-green-glow-at-night-called-nightglow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian atmosphere</a> that would otherwise remain unseen from a typical overhead perspective.



“I think of it as viewing a cross-section, a slice through the atmosphere,” said Jeffrey Plaut, Odyssey’s project scientist at JPL. “There’s a lot of detail you can’t see from above, which is how THEMIS normally makes these measurements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mars-odyssey-s-images-of-phobos">Mars Odyssey's images of Phobos </h2>



Apart from capturing Mars, the mission also focused on Phobos, one of Mars’ moons.&nbsp;



By altering the angle and lighting conditions under which Phobos was observed, the team added unique data to their existing collection, which could potentially contribute to understanding the moon's origin.



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



These efforts are not only significant for the Odyssey mission but also for the upcoming Mars Moon eXplorer (<a href="https://www.mmx.jaxa.jp/en/">MMX</a>) mission, a collaborative effort between NASA and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). 



MMX aims to return samples from Phobos and Deimos, and insights gained from Odyssey’s observations of Phobos will be invaluable.



Odyssey's latest accomplishment marks a significant milestone in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elon-musks-spacex-plans-to-land-a-spacecraft-on-mars-in-3-to-4-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars exploration</a>, offering unprecedented views of the Martian horizon and contributing vital data that could shape future missions and scientific understanding of the red planet and its moons. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mars-odyssey-orbiter-mission">The Mars Odyssey orbiter mission</h2>



The Mars Odyssey mission, a pivotal chapter in the exploration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-internal-structure-of-mars-core-is-finally-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>, was launched by NASA on April 7, 2001. Its primary objective was to map the Martian surface and search for evidence of water and ice, thus paving the way for future Mars exploration missions.



Upon reaching Mars' orbit on October 24, 2001, Mars Odyssey began a meticulous mapping of the planet's surface using its advanced suite of scientific instruments. As mentioned previously, the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), a key instrument aboard, provided detailed images of the Martian surface in both visible and infrared light. These images were crucial in identifying the mineral composition of Mars' surface and in detecting temperature variations that hinted at the presence of water ice.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-important-discoveries-from-mars-odyssey">Important discoveries from Mars Odyssey</h3>



A significant breakthrough came when Mars Odyssey discovered vast amounts of hydrogen beneath the Martian surface, particularly near the polar regions. This discovery strongly suggested the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-curiosity-rover-explores-mars-ridge-with-intriguing-watery-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water ice</a>, a vital resource for human missions to Mars in the future, as well as a potential indicator of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-mars-seismic-discoveries-and-the-quest-for-past-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">past Martian life</a>.



In addition to its scientific achievements, Mars Odyssey served as a vital communication relay for other Mars missions, including the Mars Exploration Rovers and the Phoenix lander. This role proved essential in ensuring the success and longevity of these missions, as Mars Odyssey relayed data and commands between Earth and the Martian surface.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-martian-environment">Understanding the Martian environment</h3>



Mars Odyssey also contributed significantly to our understanding of the Martian environment, studying the planet's radiation levels to assess the potential risks to future human explorers. Its findings helped in planning for the protection and safety of astronauts on future human missions to Mars.



Throughout its mission, Mars Odyssey set records for its longevity and continued to provide valuable data well beyond its initial mission timeline. Its enduring success stands as a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of knowledge about our neighboring planet. 



The Mars Odyssey mission, by mapping the Martian terrain, searching for water, and serving as a communication relay, has laid a solid foundation for the ongoing exploration of Mars.



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Mars Odyssey orbiter captures unprecedented images of the Red Planet

NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter, a veteran in Martian exploration,...

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