Atmospheric Science
The atmosphere is the key to life on Earth. This thin layer is what protects us from the hostile environment of space. Here you can learn all about the atmospheric sciences.
The evidence is clear: Human activities — like the burning of fossil fuels — are the main driving force behind modern climate change.
The danger to the iconic statues is now greater than ever due to erosion and higher-energy wave action caused by climate change.
Red snow? Yes. It totally exists. And while it might look cool, it's not exactly what you want to see from Mother Nature.
As Earth's Climate Changes, Is It Time to Redefine the Four Seasons?
The four seasons experienced by Earth's midlatitude regions are being gradually altered by global warming — but a climate expert says they won't completely go away.
Scientists Develop Clearer Idea of How Dino-Killing Asteroid Changed Earth's Environment
A new model describes in more detail how the Chicxulub asteroid affected our planet, from dropping temperatures to pausing photosynthesis, with soot playing an integral part.
'Pilot's Glory': Why a Rainbow Encircles an Airplane Shadow on Clouds
Very specific atmospheric conditions and just the right perspective are necessary to see the phenomenon.
Weather Patterns Are Getting Stuck as Climate Changes Affect the Jet Stream
Polar temperatures are changing more rapidly than equatorial ones, making the jet stream slower and wider, and extreme events longer-lasting.
Becoming Better Solar Meteorologists, With Help From Some Monster Waves
Explosive solar events are bad news for Earth, so it's good to keep an eye on space weather. Newly discovered "Rossby-like" waves could help them out with that big job.
We've all seen shots of meteorologists fighting gale-force winds to report on storms. So just how high can the winds get before the reporters are knocked off their feet?
Earth's atmosphere used to be full of toxic hydrogen, but a brief period of methane smog cleared the way for valuable oxygen to set up shop.
Midwestern night owls got a meteoric surprise this week.
NASA Investigates Cosmic Ray Impact on High-altitude Travelers
The atmosphere protects those of us here on land from cosmic radiation. So what about those who spend time above the clouds?
Weather bombs have produced some of the most destructive storms on record. So what is one exactly?
More than two centuries ago, the biggest volcanic explosion in human history occurred. And it had far-reaching effects.
You Haven't Seen Lightning Until You've Seen This Slow-motion Lightning
Florida Tech filmed lightning strikes with powerful cameras that show the strikes almost 30 times slower than real life.
Tiny Louisiana Community Is Rapidly Vanishing Due to Rising Seas
Once 5 miles wide, the Isle de Jean Charles has shrunk to be a spit of land barely a quarter mile wide. Soon it will no longer exist.
The Aurora as Seen From Space Is Prettier Than You Ever Imagined
Just because astronauts are in space doesn't mean they can't use Twitter. These images of the Northern Lights were shot by International Space Station crewmembers.
'Fire Rainbows' and 'Sun Dogs': Weird Weather in the Smartphone Age
Smartphone cameras enable us to take striking pictures of strange atmospheric phenomena—though we don’t always know what we’re seeing.
A double rainbow, man! Just the sight of one can send us babbling into happiness. And why not? Rainbows are beautiful. And two rainbows at the same time? Even better. But just how rare are these colorful arcs?
The longer ice bounces around in storm clouds, the bigger the hailstones will be when they fall to Earth. Drag that process out for a while, and comparisons to mere golf balls just won't cut it.
If the legend is true, at the end of every rainbow is a pot of gold. Does that mean if triple rainbows exist, you'll find three pots of gold?
One of the best things about autumn is watching the leaves change color – fiery hues lining the landscape, ushering in cooler weather. Some say a rainy summer leads to an extra-vivid leaf show. Is that true?
Your grandfather may swear that he can feel the onset of a harsh winter in his bones — and your family may swear it's true — but a lot of us would prefer a more scientific method for predicting what the winter may have in store for us.
We humans have figured out a lot of strange ways to measure the weather. A cricket's chirps can tell us the temperature. The open scales on a pinecone signal a dry spell. But can a ring around the moon really predict rainy days ahead?
It sure would be handy to know what the weather is going to be like for the next year. Unfortunately, there's just one problem: Weather is notoriously difficult to predict. So is the Farmers' Almanac accurate, or is it just blowing hot air?
