Earth
ID: 3228
Hurricanes are the most powerful accumulations of energy on Earth. Nothing else even comes close. They are fearsome tropical storms that spring to life roughly the same time every year, churning up oceans and shredding the nerves of residents who live along coastal zones.
But hurricanes are really just manifestations of natural processes interacting. As such, they provide unusual opportunities for scientific research, and if recent history is any guide, the beginning of the twenty-first century augurs a new era in hurricane understanding.
Using NASA's extraordinary fleet of Earth observing instruments, scientists have recently made discoveries about the behavior and nature of these gigantic storms. It turns out that they often begin in unexpected, distant places around the globe; they can alter the course of other storms trailing behind; they can stretch their arms hundreds of miles in all directions.
Observations from space have enabled NASA and other research institutions to develop sophisticated computer models, too. These models allow scientists to simulate and test hypothesizes about hurricanes, which in turn facilitate development of new, more accurate predictive tools.
Hurricanes
But hurricanes are really just manifestations of natural processes interacting. As such, they provide unusual opportunities for scientific research, and if recent history is any guide, the beginning of the twenty-first century augurs a new era in hurricane understanding.
Using NASA's extraordinary fleet of Earth observing instruments, scientists have recently made discoveries about the behavior and nature of these gigantic storms. It turns out that they often begin in unexpected, distant places around the globe; they can alter the course of other storms trailing behind; they can stretch their arms hundreds of miles in all directions.
Observations from space have enabled NASA and other research institutions to develop sophisticated computer models, too. These models allow scientists to simulate and test hypothesizes about hurricanes, which in turn facilitate development of new, more accurate predictive tools.
Visualization Credits
Stuart A. Snodgrass (GST): Lead Animator
Lori Perkins (NASA/GSFC): Animator
Greg Shirah (NASA/GSFC): Animator
James W. Williams (GST): Animator
Michael Starobin (HTSI): Narrator
Jeff Halverson (JCET UMBC): Scientist
Michael Starobin (HTSI): Writer
Lori Perkins (NASA/GSFC): Animator
Greg Shirah (NASA/GSFC): Animator
James W. Williams (GST): Animator
Michael Starobin (HTSI): Narrator
Jeff Halverson (JCET UMBC): Scientist
Michael Starobin (HTSI): Writer
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/3228
This item is part of these series:
Hurricanes
Narrated Movies
Keywords:
DLESE >> Atmospheric science
DLESE >> Natural hazards
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Atmosphere >> Atmospheric Phenomena >> Hurricanes
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Human Dimensions >> Natural Hazards >> Meteorological Hazards
DLESE >> Narrated
SVS >> Voice Over Talent
NASA Science >> Earth
GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/3228
This item is part of these series:
Hurricanes
Narrated Movies
Keywords:
DLESE >> Atmospheric science
DLESE >> Natural hazards
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Atmosphere >> Atmospheric Phenomena >> Hurricanes
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Human Dimensions >> Natural Hazards >> Meteorological Hazards
DLESE >> Narrated
SVS >> Voice Over Talent
NASA Science >> Earth
GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0
