Environment

How NASA, Lasers And New Technology Help Measure California’s Snowpack With Exceptional Accuracy

March 8, 2018 | Ezra David Romero

Using this new approach to calculate the snow’s water content also means improved forecasts for farms and cities, and even positive benefits for renewable-energy production. The program soon could go statewide — if it gets funded.

Environment

Thomas Fire: NASA Aerial Surveys Detect 1,300 Degree Fire Temperatures

December 14, 2017 | Ezra David Romero

The fires burning in Southern California have charred more than 250,000 acres. NASA is testing science instruments intended for space by measuring environmental impacts in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

NASA Launches Yearlong Project For Students And Teachers Across Nation

October 16, 2017 | Sally Schilling

Students throughout the country are getting an opportunity to see what NASA astronauts are up to on the International Space Station and maybe even speak directly with an astronaut.

Do You Have What It Takes To Be NASA's Next Planetary Protection Officer?

August 3, 2017

The job posting has elicited headlines about how the space agency is seeking a person to defend Earth from aliens. But it's really more about microorganisms than little green men.

Environment

California Farmers Used Enough Groundwater During Drought To Fill Lake Mead

May 18, 2017 | Amy Quinton

Scientists have for the first time quantified how much groundwater was lost in the Central Valley in the most recent drought.

Environment

NASA: Central Sierra Nevada Snowpack Larger Than Previous Four Years Combined

April 18, 2017 | Randol White

The Central Sierra Nevada snowpack this year is larger than the previous four years combined, according to new data from NASA.

Environment

NASA Launches Pilot Project To Measure Snow Pack From The Sky

March 7, 2017 | Ezra David Romero

There’s now so much snow in the Sierra Nevada that state water officials are preparing for a massive runoff year. A new way to measure snowpack could provide much greater accuracy.

Astronomers Find 7 Earth-Sized Planets Around A Nearby Star

February 22, 2017

Some of the planets could be home to liquid water, but it remains unclear whether life could exist on such strange worlds.

Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

JUNO Astronomer Dr. Tobias Owen

July 6, 2016 | Jonathan Ayestas

Juno continues its work today - the spacecraft joined the orbit of the planet Jupiter on the 4th of July. We'll be talking with Dr. Tobias Owen, an astronomer from Fair Oaks who was influential in the JUNO project.

NASA Seeks Ideas To Aid in Mars Exploration

July 5, 2016 | Steve Milne

NASA wants your ideas on how to minimize the effects of radiation and other deep space conditions that traveling to Mars would have on future explorers. The space agency is offering a $500,000 prize.