Perpetual Learning
It all started with a sky full of stars. Not the dim, city-hazed version we often see, but a truly dark sky, bursting with diamonds. My journey into astrophotography began like many others – with a sense of wonder. But as a scientist, especially one who studies our atmosphere and the intricate dance of climate, … Read more
Did you know that the very rhythm of our planet might be subtly changing? From our vantage point in space, scientists have been observing something fascinating and a little concerning: Earth’s seasons are starting to feel a bit out of sync. As an atmospheric scientist, I find this incredibly compelling because it speaks to the … Read more
Did you know that the sweltering heat isn’t just uncomfortable for our bodies – it can also take a serious toll on our minds? As an atmospheric scientist, I’ve spent years studying how our environment shapes our lives, and the connection between extreme heat and our mood is becoming clearer and more concerning. It turns … Read more
Did you know that the story of carbon dioxide, or CO2, is essentially the story of life on Earth? I’ve spent years studying our atmosphere, and diving into Peter Brannen’s book, “The Story of CO2 Is the Story of Everything,” felt like coming home. It’s a fascinating journey that connects this seemingly simple molecule to… … Read more
As a scientist who spends a lot of time thinking about our planet’s atmosphere, I’ve been watching Antarctica with growing concern. This vast continent, often seen as a remote and frozen wasteland, is actually a critical player in Earth’s climate system. And right now, it’s changing faster than many predicted. Did you know that Antarctica … Read more
Did you know our planet’s air wasn’t always breathable? It’s taken billions of years for Earth’s atmosphere to become what it is today, and a recent study in Nature dives deep into a crucial, two-billion-year period of this transformation – the “transitional oxygenation.” As someone with a background in atmospheric science, I find this stuff … Read more
As an atmospheric scientist, I often find myself diving into complex data and climate models. But today, I want to talk about something tangible, something that directly impacts our coastlines and our future: Greenland’s ice sheet. When we talk about climate change, the melting of ice in places like Greenland is a critical piece of … Read more
Last night, around 11 PM to midnight, someone in Finland witnessed something quite remarkable in the sky. They described it starting like a satellite, but then growing into a large, luminous ball that moved across the sky for over a minute. It’s moments like these that really spark my curiosity, especially as someone who studies … Read more
Did you know that the protective layer of ozone in our atmosphere, the one that shields us from harmful UV rays, is actually recovering? That’s fantastic news for our health and the environment! But here’s something new I learned that might surprise you: according to a recent study, this ozone recovery could also accelerate global … Read more
Did you know that for a long time, scientists thought Jupiter was a gas giant in the way we often imagine it today – a massive ball of pure gas? It’s easy to see why! From Earth, Jupiter appears as a bright, distant orb, and early telescopic observations showed us its swirling atmosphere. But as … Read more