Cool Geo-Pic: Arctic Sea Ice Younger than Normal

From NASA's Earth Observatory:

Click here to view full image (270 kb)

In the Arctic, sea ice extent fluctuates with the seasons. It reaches its peak extent in March, near the end of Northern Hemisphere winter, and its minimum extent in September, at the end of the summer thaw. In September 2007, Arctic sea ice extent was the smallest area on record since satellites began collecting measurements about 30 years ago.
Although a cold winter allowed sea ice to re-cover much of the Arctic in the months that followed, this pair of images reveals that conditions were far from normal. The February 2008 ice pack (right) contained much more young ice than the long-term average (left). In the past, more ice survived the summer melt season and had the chance to thicken over the following winter. This perennial ice generally gets thicker each winter, which makes it more likely to survive the next summer.

Full story at: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17975

Cool Geo-Pic: Nicholson Crater, Canada

From NASA's Earth Observatory:

Click here to view full image (4000 kb)
Some 400 million years ago, a meteor struck Earth in what is now Canada’s Northwest Territories. Plate tectonics have rearranged Earth’s continents considerably since then, and the 12.5-kilometer- (7.8-mile-) wide crater is now Nicholson Lake, one of many small lakes that dot the sub-arctic, glacier-scoured landscape.

Full story at: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17972

Cool Geo-Pic: Deadly rains in Midwest

From NASA's Earth Observatory eblast:

An early spring storm system advanced out of the Southern Plains in mid-March 2008, causing widespread flooding. Strong southerly winds developed ahead of an area of low pressure located over the Southern High Plains and drew moisture up from the Gulf of Mexico across Texas and Louisiana. This warm, moist air collided with a frontal boundary (the boundary between two air masses of different temperature, pressure, or humidity) that draped across central Texas into central Missouri. The convergence produced repeated bouts of thunderstorms and heavy rain from central Texas through Oklahoma and into Kansas and Missouri.

Full story at: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17971

Cool Geo-Pic: Lunar Eclipse from Orbit

Click here to view full image (5511 kb)

From one of my NASA Earth Observatory News eblasts:
On February 20, 2008, sky gazers from the central Pacific to Africa saw the full Moon turn a striking red as it passed into Earth’s shadow. From space, the lunar eclipse deepened the darkness of the night. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s (DMSP) F16 satellite captured this view of the eclipse as the satellite flew over the nighttime side of the Earth in a series of overpasses. The earliest overpasses are on the right, where bright light from the full moon reflects off clouds over the Atlantic Ocean and the east coasts of North and South America.

Full story at: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17963

DayJet New Locations

DayJet Adds Naples, Fla. and Savannah, Ga. to DayPort Network

Provides Direct Connectivity to 45 Regional Destinations across the Southeast

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DayJet Corporation today announced the addition of Naples, Florida and Savannah, Georgia to its DayPort™ service network. Starting today, DayJet™ members can fly “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service to and from 45 regional destinations across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina when they begin or end their travel at Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF), Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV) or other DayPort airports.

The company also announced today that it is accepting corporate membership applications for these new DayPort communities. In addition to Naples and Savannah, the DayJet DayPort network includes Boca Raton Airport (KBCT), Gainesville Regional Airport (KGNV), Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (KLAL), Pensacola Regional Airport (KPNS) and Tallahassee Regional Airport (KTLH).

DayJet selected Naples and Savannah because they represent strong local economies and business environments that are underserved by traditional transportation options. The two new DayPort communities are projected to receive a total annual economic impact in excess of $10 million each from the arrival of DayJet service within its first three years of operation.

“As important centers of commerce, culture and government, Naples and Savannah are strategic additions to our DayPort service network,” said Ed Iacobucci, DayJet president and CEO. “In addition to affording more travel options to our members, DayJet is bringing jobs and better connectivity to the communities we serve. With the growth of our fleet, DayJet will continue to expand our service network, giving business travelers throughout the Southeast unprecedented regional travel options.”

Naples and Savannah business travelers can now book just the seat they need aboard DayJet’s fleet of Eclipse 500™ very light jets (VLJs); customize travel according to their time and budget requirements; fly point-to-point between DayJet’s growing service network; and return home in a single day. Prices start at a modest premium to full-fare economy coach airfares.

Naples: Gateway to Southwest Florida
Naples is the anchor of Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast and Collier County, which has one of the fastest growing populations and strongest economies in the nation. With more than 300,000 residents, the Naples metropolitan area ranks among the lowest unemployment rates, highest job creation rates and household incomes, placing it in the top quartile of all Florida counties.
“I am really impressed with this new level of jet service,” said Naples Mayor Bill Barnett, “and believe that DayJet will be a huge success for Naples.”

Savannah: Georgia’s First City
Savannah is located in Chatham County, the sixth most populous county in the state of Georgia with a population of more than 300,000. Home to a thriving leisure and hospitality industry, Savannah is one of the state’s leading job producers and the fifth largest container port in the United States.
“Corporate aviation and fractional ownership have long played an important role in Savannah’s aviation landscape,” said Patrick Graham, executive director for Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. “DayJet extends on-demand jet travel to a whole new strata of business travelers with its innovative and affordable ‘per-seat, on-demand’ service, providing Savannah with direct connectivity to and from 45 underserved regional destinations across Georgia and the Southeast.”

New Regional Destinations
With today’s DayPort network expansion to Savannah, DayJet has also added 12 new “Per-Seat, On-Demand” destinations across Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. In total, DayJet now serves 45 regional destinations across the Southeast – just 90 days after the official launch of the company’s “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service.
DayJet members may now fly “Per-Seat, On-Demand” service to and from the following regional destinations when they begin or end their trip at a DayPort city:

Alabama
Auburn (AUO) New!
Dothan (DHN)
Fairhope (4R4)
Mobile (BFM)
Montgomery (MGM) New!
Selma (SEM) New!

Florida
Boca Raton (BCT)
Daytona Beach (DAB)
Destin (DTS)
Fort Pierce (FPR)
Gainesville (GNV)
Jacksonville (CRG)
Key West (EYW)
Kissimmee (ISM)
Lakeland (LAL)
Leesburg (LEE)
Melbourne (MLB)
Miami/Opa-Locka (OPF)
Naples (APF)
Ocala (OCF)
Palm Beach (F45)
Panama City (PFN)
Pensacola (PNS)
Punta Gorda (PGD)
Sanford (SFB)
Sarasota (SRQ)
Sebring (SEF)
St. Augustine (SGJ)
St. Petersburg (PIE)
Tallahassee (TLH)

Georgia
Albany (ABY)
Augusta (AGS) New!
Brunswick (BQK)
Columbus (CSG) New!
Macon (MAC) New!
Savannah (SAV)
Valdosta (VLD)
Waycross (AYS)
Vidalia (VDI) New!

Mississippi
Pascagoula (PQL)

South Carolina
Charleston (JZI) New!
Columbia (CUB) New!
Florence (FLO) New!
Hilton Head (HXD) New!
Myrtle Beach (MYR) New!

About “Per-Seat, On-Demand” Jet Service
DayJet has developed the world’s first “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service that makes the convenience of corporate jet travel broadly available and affordable for more people and organizations, turning wasted travel time into valuable business and personal time. “Per-Seat” means customers only pay for the seat(s) they need, not the entire aircraft. “On-Demand” means customers fly according to their individually negotiated time requirements. Business travelers can now book just the seat that they need aboard DayJet’s fleet of Eclipse 500™ very light jets (VLJs); customize travel according to their time and budget requirements; fly point-to-point between regional destinations; and return home in a single day.

About DayJet
DayJet is the world’s largest fleet operator of next-generation very light jet (VLJ) aircraft and the pioneer of a new type of regional business travel. “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service is sold by the individual seat and customized for each passenger’s unique time and budget requirements – prices start at a modest premium to full-fare economy coach airfares. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, DayJet is among the best capitalized pre-operational air carriers in U.S. history and the first 100% all-digital operator. Combined with the speed and efficiency of Eclipse 500 VLJ aircraft, DayJet “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service has created the next major advance in corporate productivity and regional economic development. For more information, visit www.dayjet.com.

DayJet’s “Per-Seat, On-Demand” business jet service is operated by DayJet Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary, DayJet Services, LLC, an air carrier registered with the Department of Transportation and the holder of an on-demand air carrier certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorizing operations under Part 135 of the FAA’s regulations under Title 49, Subtitle VII, of the United States Code.

DayJet™ DayPort™ DayBase™ are trademarks of DayJet Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Contact:DayJet Corporation

Vicky Harris, 561-454-2678
vicky@dayjet.com
or
Schwartz Communications
Chris Stamm/Jon Siegal, 781-684-0770
dayjet@schwartz-pr.com

Polar Clouds

This image is entrancing - every time I look at I see more swirls in its murky mists. Its almost hypnotic appeal required a posting.

Quick excerpt from NASA's Earth Observatory:

Click here to view full image (292 kb)

In the summertime in the far northern or southern latitudes, high in the Earth’s atmosphere at the edge of space, thin, silvery clouds sometimes become visible just after sunset. These high clouds, occurring at altitudes of about 80 kilometers (50 miles), are called polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs). They are also called noctilucent (“night-shining”) clouds. In recent years, polar mesospheric clouds seem to be occurring more frequently and at lower latitudes than they have in the past, and studies are underway to determine whether their occurrence is related to global climate change.

Full Story at: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17737

Featured astronaut photograph STS117-E-6998 was acquired by the STS-117 crew on June 10, 2007, with a Kodak 760C digital camera using an 180 mm lens, and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations experiment and Image Science & Analysis Laboratory at Johnson Space Center. The image in this article has been enhanced to improve contrast. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth.

I "Thaw" what You Did This Summer

This summer thaw in Eastern Greenland is a gorgeous yet frightening image the nature of global climate change and glacial retreat.

Quick excerpt from NASA's Earth Observatory site (link to full story below):

Summer thaw was underway on the fringe of eastern Greenland when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite passed overhead and captured this image on July 13, 2007. Inland (left), snow and ice make a white blanket, while closer to sea (center and right) the annual snow has retreated from much of the rocky coastline and from the surface of some glaciers, which appear slightly gray. In the fjords, melt water carrying finely ground sediment, crushed by the movement of glaciers over rock, colors the water turquoise. Sea ice (lower right) has fractured into geometric blocks, and small chunks of ice are scattered in some fjords like confetti. At far right, ice has disintegrated or been crushed into such small pieces that it looks like froth or foam swirling in the waters of the Greenland Sea.

Full story at: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17711

World Perspective - Global Carbon Issue

Taken from NASA's photo collection, with an animated link to the time-flow display of high levels of carbon monoxide on a global scale
Click here to view animation (9840 kb) - yet another reminder everything has it impact.

Short Excerpt (taken from story - full link below):

The streak of red, orange, and yellow across South America, Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean in this image points to high levels of carbon monoxide on September 30, 2005, as measured by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument flying on NASA’s Aqua satellite. The carbon monoxide primarily comes from fires burning in the Amazon basin, with some additional contribution from fires in southern Africa. The fires blanketed much of South America with smoke, as shown in a photo-like image captured by the MODIS sensor on the Aqua satellite on September 20. The animation (available by clicking on the image) shows carbon monoxide, one component of the smoke, sweeping east throughout August and September 2005. Fires in Africa probably contributed to the high concentrations of carbon monoxide over Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Released when carbon is burned, carbon monoxide is a harmful pollutant that reduces the amount of oxygen that can reach tissue and organs in the body. Additionally, carbon monoxide is a precursor to ground-level ozone and smog, so a global measurement of the gas provides a good indicator of the overall health of the atmosphere. On a global basis, nearly 50 percent of carbon dioxide emissions come from man-made sources, and the rest come from biomass burning, as shown here, or natural sources, says Dr. Wallace McMillan from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and the Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology.

Full Story at:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17724

Interesting side reading:

New NASA AIRS Data to Aid Weather, Climate Research, on the NASA news page.
Smoke gets in your eyes: NASA study shows global impacts of pollution, on the AIRS web site.
Image courtesy NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Amazon vs. Nile

For now, Amazon leading by a source tributary.

Quick excerpt:
Geographers long agreed that, while the Amazon might be the world’s largest river by volume, the longest was likely the Nile. In 2007, however, the BBC reported that a team of Brazilian researchers challenged that long-held belief. After an expedition to Peru to locate the Amazon’s precise source, the team described a different starting point. The team claimed that the river originated not in northern Peru, where it had been thought to begin, but in southern Peru, somewhere on snowcapped Mount Mismi (or Nevado Mismi). The team narrowed down the starting point to one of two places, but concluded that either one would nudge the Amazon’s length past that of the Nile.

Full story:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17693