Science station hot news: January 10, 2025

Space measurements support wildfire risk predictions

Researchers prove data The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) instrument from the International Space Station has played an important role in the ability of machine learning algorithms to predict wildfire susceptibility. The results help support the development of effective strategies to predict, prevent, monitor and manage wildfires.

As wildfire frequency and severity increase worldwide, experts need reliable fire susceptibility models to protect public safety and support natural resource planning and risk management. ECOSTRESS measures evapotranspiration, water use efficiency and other plant-water dynamics on Earth. The researchers reported that their water-use efficiency data consistently emerged as a major factor in predicting wildfires, with evaporative stress and terrain slope data also being important.

Combined instruments provide better emissions data

the scientist established Averaging data from the OCO-3 and EMIT external instruments on the International Space Station can accurately measure the carbon dioxide emission rate of power plants. This work could improve emissions monitoring and help communities combat climate change.

Carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels account for nearly one-third of human emissions and are a major contributor to climate change. In many places, however, scientists don't know exactly how much carbon dioxide is emitted by these sources. Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3, or OCO-3, can quantify emissions over large areas, while Earth's surface mineral dust source survey data can help determine emissions from individual facilities. The researchers recommend future work to continue studying the impact of wind conditions on measurements.

Thunderstorm phenomena observed from space

Observations from the International Space Station's Atmosphere-Space Interaction Monitor (ASIM) instrument during the 2019 tropical cyclone supply Gain insight into the formation and nature of the blue corona discharge often observed on top of thunderclouds. A better understanding of such processes in Earth's upper atmosphere could improve atmospheric models and weather and climate predictions.

Scientists don't fully understand the conditions that lead to the formation of blue corona discharges, bursts of electrical current that are precursors to lightning. Ground-based observations are affected by scattering and absorption in clouds. ASIM is an ESA (European Space Agency) facility that provides a unique opportunity to observe these upper atmospheric events from space.