Glacial dust streams into the Gulf of Alaska

16th November 2017

Glacial Dust from the Copper River Valley

The NOAA/NASA Suomi NPP satellite’s VIIRS instrument captured this plume of glacial dust streaming into the Gulf of Alaska from the Copper River Valley. As glaciers flow, they grind against underlying bedrock, which produces a very fine powder known as “glacial flour” or “rock flour.” Rich in iron, this silty substance often flows into rivers and lakes, giving the water a brown or grey tinge. When water levels are low, the flour dries out on riverbanks and deltas. Winds then lift the dust into the air and can transport it over several hundred miles of open ocean. Researchers are using satellite data to better understand how glacial dust events in the Gulf of Alaska can trigger phytoplankton growth, which affects marine ecosystems in the region.

Although true-color images like this may appear to be photographs of Earth, they aren't. They are created by combining data from the three color channels on the VIIRS instrument sensitive to the red, green and blue (or RGB) wavelengths of light into one composite image. In addition, data from several other channels are often also included to cancel out or correct atmospheric interference that may blur parts of the image.   
(Image and details source:NOAA/NASA)

NASA Administrator Pays Tribute to Astronaut Scott Kelly

Mon, Mar 14, 2016 at 10:14 PM

We will never forget the 700 stunning images he posted

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden on the retirement of astronaut Scott Kelly:

“When the first Americans set foot on Mars, they will be following in the footsteps of one of the finest astronauts in the history of the space program, my friend, Commander Scott Kelly.  After spending an American record 520 days in space – including his Year in Space – I can think of no one more deserving of some well-deserved rest and time on the same planet as his family and friends. 

“All of us in the NASA family -- and indeed in the broader scientific community -- are grateful that he was willing to sacrifice time with his loved ones, meals that don’t come in a bag, a cold beer, hot showers, cool autumn breezes, the sounds of birds chirping, the ability to lay his head on an actual pillow and so much more of the pleasures of life during his year of research and experimentation the International Space Station.

“We will never forget the 700 stunning images he posted to social media, the leadership he demonstrated as ISS Commander for the last six months and, most of all, the impact that all his missions and years of service will continue to have on our Journey to Mars.”