Latest news with #Sentinel-2
Newsweek
a day ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Mexican Sewage Flooding Into California Can Be Seen From Space
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A NASA instrument aboard the International Space Station has detected contamination from Mexican sewage that spilled into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California. Why It Matters The Tijuana River flows from Mexico into California and drains into the Pacific Ocean, transporting millions of gallons of untreated sewage along with it. This long-standing issue has raised alarms over its impact on both public health and the environment. What To Know The instrument, known as the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT), was originally used to map minerals in desert regions but is now offering insights into water quality. In a recent study, EMIT was able to identify phycocyanin—a pigment found in cyanobacteria—within a massive wastewater plume off the mouth of the Tijuana River. A plume spreads out to sea in this image captured off San Diego by the Sentinel-2 satellite on March 24, 2023. A plume spreads out to sea in this image captured off San Diego by the Sentinel-2 satellite on March 24, 2023. SDSU/Eva Scrivner/NASA Cyanobacteria are an organism capable of causing illness in humans and animals through ingestion or inhalation, NASA said. EMIT operates by analyzing light reflected from Earth's surface, breaking it down into hundreds of visible and infrared color bands. Each material, including pollutants, has a unique spectral signature that allows scientists to identify it. Researchers matched EMIT's satellite data of the Tijuana River plume with results from ground-tested water samples. Both methods identified a spectral signature indicating the presence of phycocyanin. The findings come as Southern California beaches near the United States-Mexico border have repeatedly faced closures due to contamination. Millions of gallons of wastewater enter the Tijuana River annually, emptying into the ocean and posing a health hazard to swimmers and military personnel stationed in the area. San Diego County beaches have seen 1,000 days' worth of closures in recent years, and a report from the Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General documented 1,100 cases of illness among Navy SEALs and other service members exposed to polluted waters. What People Are Saying Christine Lee, a scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a co-author of the study, said: "From orbit you are able to look down and see that a wastewater plume is extending into places you haven't sampled. "It's like a diagnostic at the doctor's office that tells you, 'Hey, let's take a closer look at this.'" Eva Scrivner, a doctoral student at the University of Connecticut and the study's lead author, said that the findings "show a 'smoking gun' of sorts for wastewater in the Tijuana River plume." What Happens Next Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, stated in May that the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission was expediting an expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which treats sewage and wastewater from Tijuana, by 10 million gallons per day in an effort to mitigate the crisis.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Full List of U.S. Military Deployments That Point to War With Iran
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Scrutiny is mounting over a potential U.S. role in the Israel-Iran conflict. After denying involvement in Israel's first strikes on strategic sites across Iran, the U.S. has adopted a tougher tone towards Tehran and has bolstered military deployment in the Middle East. Commenting on the deployments, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said they aimed to enhancing the United States defensive postures in the region. Below is a full list that Newsweek has been able to assemble of U.S. naval and aerial military assets in or heading to the region, according to officials, multiple open-intelligence analysts, tracking data, media and defense outlets. A US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet performs during an exhibition flight as part of the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show at the ParisLe Bourget Airport, in Le Bourget, suburb... A US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet performs during an exhibition flight as part of the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show at the ParisLe Bourget Airport, in Le Bourget, suburb of Paris on June 16, 2025. More ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images Fighter Aircraft The U.S. military is increasing its air power in the Middle East with the deployment of more F-16s, F-22s and F-35 fighter jets and extending current warplane missions, three U.S. officials told Reuters. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a highly adaptable fighter aircraft used extensively by the United States and its allies. The F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II represent a newer generation of stealth combat aircraft developed for complex operational needs. Tanker Aircraft U.S. aerial refueling aircraft are on their way to the Middle East as the war between Israel and Iran escalates, according to flight data tracking sources. These would be needed for any sustained operations over Iran. This includes KC-135R Stratotankers, the U.S. Air Force's primary aerial refueling aircraft. It also includes KC-46A Pegasus tankers, the next-generation aerial refueling tanker. U.S. officials said the tankers may join a NATO exercise in Europe. The State Department told diplomats to assure hosts the tankers are not backing Israeli air operations in Iran. Bombers at Diego Garcia The United States has been building up its bomber force at the Indian Ocean island base of Diego Garcia. These could be used in any strikes on Iran's nuclear sites with bunker buster munitions that Israel does not possess. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on June 9 shows military aircraft at the Diego Garcia base. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on June 9 shows military aircraft at the Diego Garcia base. Copernicus/Sentinel Hub Satellite images analysed by Newsweek have shown increasing deployments in recent weeks. B-2 Spirit stealth bombers can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, including bunker-busting bombs designed to target deep underground facilities. B-52H Stratofortress Bombers, known for their long-range strike capabilities. Warfare Support Vessels U.S. Navy vessels have departed the key Manama port in Bahrain, according to satellite imagery, currently underway in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. Vessels in the region include littoral combat ships, fast, agile, and networked surface vessels designed for operations close to shore and mine countermeasure vessels, to neutralize mines using advanced sonar systems. There is also the M/V Ocean Trader, a special operations mothership supporting U.S. forces. Carrier Groups Aircraft carrier strike groups provide mobile firepower when required in their own right and support of other operational units. One carrier group is currently in the Middle East and another is on the way. The USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group has recently been operating in the Arabian Sea with an air wing consisting of F-35C Lightning IIs, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, CMV-22 Ospreys and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks. It took part in weeks of air strikes against the Yemeni-based Houthis, an Iranian-backed militia, before a ceasefire was reached early last month. The USS Nimitz carrier group is now in transit from the Western Pacific toward the Middle East and was recently in Southeast Asia. Its airwing includes F/A-18C/E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, C-2A Greyhounds and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks. Missile Defenses Patriot missile defense units were moved in April by the U.S. military from the Pacific region to the Middle East. The full battalion of air‑defense gear—flew in 73 C‑17 cargo plane trips. The Patriot system is widely regarded as a leading ground-based air defense platform, known for its ability to intercept advanced threats, including certain types of hypersonic missiles. "Doomsday Plane" The U.S. Air Force "Doomsday Plane," a wartime command and control aircraft for the president, flew over the United States on Tuesday and remained trackable throughout, per Flightradar24 data. The move signals a show of force rather than direct operation in the Middle East. The E-4B "Nightwatch," a militarized Boeing 747, serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and key command link for the President, Defense Secretary, and Joint Chiefs. In a national emergency or loss of ground command, it ensures survivable control to direct forces, execute war orders, and coordinate civil response. It was used during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Coolest Space Photos of 2025 Will Fill You With Cosmic Wonder
There's always something happening in space, and humanity is documenting it more quickly and clearly than ever before. Orbiting telescopes, astronauts and spacecraft are sending back a stream of photos that show off the diversity and wonder of the universe. Here are some of the best space photos of the year, so far. It wasn't just imagery of objects beyond Earth that caught our eye over the first half of the year. The European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 Earth-observing satellite documented the devastating Palisades Fire in California in January. The Jan. 7 view showed a large smoke plume stretching out over the Pacific Ocean. That was just the beginning of a series of wildfires that destroyed residences and buildings in Los Angeles County. NASA astronaut and astrophotographer extraordinaire Don Pettit shared a knockout view of Earth from the International Space Station in late February. "Cosmic colors at sunrise; never get tired of seeing what the new day brings," he said. This photo has it all: our planet, swirling aurora lights and a sweeping vista of stars. It's tough to land successfully on the moon. Firefly Aerospace pulled off the feat in March with its Blue Ghost Mission 1. The Blue Ghost lander captured a historic view of a sunrise from the surface of the moon. The image shows the pockmarked lunar surface with the bright flash of the sun topping the horizon. Many moon missions, including Intuitive Machine's 2025 attempt, go wrong. That makes Blue Ghost's sunrise image all the more poignant. It marks a hard-earned lunar success story. The James Webb Space Telescope delivered a wild view of Herbig-Haro 49/50 in March. NASA described the space object as "a frothy-looking outflow from a nearby protostar" and a "cosmic tornado." Look for the distant spiral galaxy in the upper left. The venerable Hubble Space Telescope celebrated 35 years in orbit in April. NASA and ESA partied down by releasing a series of Hubble anniversary images, including views of Mars and a barred spiral galaxy. It's hard to pick just one anniversary image to highlight, but the telescope's ethereal view of the Rosette Nebula and its smoky clouds of gas and dust stands out. The nebula is a place of active star formation. Hubble's image focuses on one small, scenic part of the Rosette. NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers got some full-moon photography in during May's "flower moon." Ayers had a front-row seat to the glowing lunar action from her perch on the International Space Station. Ayers shared a series of photos with Earth in the frame, emphasizing the relationship between our blue planet and our lunar neighbor. NASA's Perseverance rover has been trucking around Mars since early 2021. The wheeled explorer marked its 1,500th Martian day on May 10 by taking a fresh selfie. Percy took dozens of images of itself using a camera mounted on the end of its robotic arm. NASA stitched the shots together to create the selfie. Look deeper into the image to spot a swirling dust devil dancing in the background. "Having the dust devil in the background makes it a classic," said Perseverance imaging scientist Megan Wu. "This is a great shot." The year is not even half over. There are full moons, auroras, space launches and meteor showers coming down the line. Satellites are watching over Earth. Space telescopes are staring out into the cosmos and sending back postcards from our universe. Stay tuned for more stunning images.
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Satellite Photo Shows US Fighters and Bombers at Key Air Base
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New satellite imagery reveals a significant concentration of U.S. military aircraft and bombers on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, including strategic B-52 bombers, KC-135 tankers, F-15 fighters and a C-5M heavy transport aircraft—a buildup signaling enhanced readiness for potential operations amid regional tensions. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) for comment. Why It Matters Military deployment activity at the Diego Garcia air base has increased since March amid rising tensions with Iran and following President Donald Trump's order for military action against Iran's proxy Houthi group in Yemen. Although the U.S. and the Houthis reached a ceasefire agreement in May and nuclear talks with Iran have progressed, a failure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons could still raise the risk of war. If Washington and Tehran clash, the remote base at Diego Garcia would likely play a key role for the U.S. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on June 9 shows military aircraft at the Diego Garcia base. This image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites on June 9 shows military aircraft at the Diego Garcia base. Copernicus/Sentinel Hub What To Know New satellite imagery shows the buildup of military aircraft on Diego Garcia, first spotted and analyzed by open-source intelligence analyst MT Anderson on X, formerly Twitter. The U.S. Air Force recently ramped up its aerial refueling capabilities at the Diego Garcia base with KC-135 Stratotankers, in addition to the deployment of F-15 fighter jets and B-52 bombers. The U.S. launched an intense campaign of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen from March 15 until a ceasefire was reach on May 6. 🇺🇸NSF Diego Garcia🇺🇸 They're back (or they never completely left🤷♂️).... 4x B-52 Stratofortress spotted at Diego Garcia along with 6x KC-135 Stratotanker, 6x F-15 and 1x C-5M Src📷: @esa Date: 9 June 2025@Schizointel — MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) June 10, 2025 B-2 bombers were replaced by B-52s, Reuters reported a week later citing U.S. officials. On May 21, the U.S. Air Force announced that B-2 Spirit bombers had returned to Missouri after a deployment to Diego Garcia. While the remoteness of the island offers protection from adversaries, Iran has posed a growing threat in recent years with Tehran demonstrating missile and drone capabilities, including launchers in standard shipping containers. Diego Garcia, the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, is over 2,000 miles away from Iran and has an air base that hosts Space Force operations and is a key port for U.S. Navy vessels. The U.S. will be allowed to continue using the base under a recent agreement between Britain and Mauritius handing over the sovereignty of the Chagos islands. What People Are Saying Commander Matthew Comer, Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson, previously Newsweek: "We have multi-layered defense systems on Diego Garcia that ensure the security and protection of our personnel and equipment." What Happens Next The U.S. and Iran are expected to hold a sixth round of talks in coming days to discuss further details related to a new nuclear agreement.
NDTV
01-06-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Scientists Can Tell When A Volcano Is About To Erupt Using This 'Green' Cue
Scientists can predict when a volcano is about to erupt by looking at the vegetation nearby. A new study collaboration between NASA and the Smithsonian Institution claims that the greenness of the trees around a volcano can indicate a potential imminent blast. As volcanoes get charged up to explode, they push magma close to the surface, releasing higher levels of carbon dioxide. In turn, the health of the surrounding trees is boosted with the leaves becoming greener by consuming the excess CO2. "The remote detection of carbon dioxide greening of vegetation potentially gives scientists another tool - along with seismic waves and changes in ground height-to get a clear idea of what's going on underneath the volcano," read a NASA statement. Up until recently, scientists had to trek to volcanoes if they wanted to measure the CO2 levels, as a volcano emitting modest amounts of carbon dioxide does not show up in satellite imagery. However, with a number of volcanoes located in remote areas, assessing the greenery could help scientists avoid the trouble of trekking through the dangerous terrains. "There are plenty of satellites we can use to do this kind of analysis," study lead author Nicole Guinn, a doctoral student in volcanology at the University of Houston in Texas, said in the statement. Researchers analysed images collected by Landsat 8, NASA's Terra satellite, ESA's (European Space Agency) Sentinel-2, and other Earth-observing satellites to monitor trees around the Mount Etna volcano on the coast of Sicily. Results showed 16 clear spikes in both the amount of CO2 and vegetation's greenness, which coincided with upward migrations of magma from the volcano. The findings could have important real-life implications as 10 per cent of the world's population lives in areas susceptible to volcanic hazards. Predicting a volcanic eruption in advance could help move out people who live or work within a few miles of the volcano and face dangers that include ejected rock, dust, and surges of hot, toxic gases.
