SpaceX intends to launch tens of thousands of Starlink satellites, with lifespans of around 5 years, into low-Earth orbit. The goal is global internet access. Astronomers are concerned. Here’s how to watch Wednesday’s launch. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/spacexs-1st-starlink-launch-of-2021…
Tag: Southern Ocean
Earth’s glaciers and ice sheets are melting
Several new studies released in recent weeks paint a dire picture of the ongoing melting of Earth’s freshwater ice sheets and glaciers, 99% of which are found in Greenland and Antarctica. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/ice-sheets-glaciers-tearing-loose-worst-case-vulnerable…
Giant A-68 iceberg 3 years on
The colossal iceberg that split from Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf in July 2017 is now in the open waters of the South Atlantic, about 650 miles (1,050 km) from its birthplace. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/giant-a-68-iceberg-summer-2020…
Scientists just sampled the most pristine air on Earth. Here’s what they found.
Atmospheric scientists sampled the most pristine air on Earth, just above the Southern Ocean. They found some surprises. Source: https://www.livescience.com/most-pristine-air-on-earth-bacteria.html
Scientists identify cleanest air on Earth
Researchers say they’ve identified the cleanest air on the planet – free from particles caused by human activity – over the Southern Ocean, which surrounds Antarctica. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/scientist-identify-cleanest-air-on-earth-southern-ocean…
Antarctica melts under its hottest days on record
On February 6, weather stations recorded the hottest temperature on record for Antarctica, 64.9°F (18.3°C). The warm spell caused widespread melting on nearby glaciers Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/antarctica-melts-hottest-temperatures-on-record-feb2020…
Ice cliffs in Antarctica might not contribute to extreme sea-level rise in this century
A 2016 study suggested tall ice cliffs along Antarctica’s coast might collapse rapidly under their own weight and contribute to more than 6 feet of sea-level rise by 2100. Now, MIT researchers have found this prediction may be overestimated. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/ice-cliff-collapse-antarctica-sea-level-rise…
New cracks in Pine Island Glacier are getting longer
The new rifts appeared soon after last year’s major calving of iceberg B46, which is about 3 times the size of New York’s Manhattan island. Satellite monitoring suggests a new iceberg of similar proportions will soon be calved. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/new-cracks-pine-island-glacier-2019…
Boaty McBoatface Makes Significant Climate Change Discovery on First Mission
The British research submarine Boaty McBoatface has made an impressive debut in the scientific arena, discovering a significant link between Antarctic winds and rising sea temperatures on its maiden outing. From a report: The unmanned submarine, whose moniker won a landslide victory in a public poll to name a $300 million British polar research ship, undertook its inaugural mission in April…
The Southern Ocean may be less of a carbon sink than we thought
The Southern Ocean’s ability to suck up much of the carbon that humans pump into the atmosphere is in question. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/southern-ocean-antarctica-absorbs-less-carbon-expected4…