NASA Report: 60 Years of a Warming Earth

Last week NASA posted a short (15 sec) animation of the aggregation of analyzed data from 1,000 meteorological stations collected over the past 63 years (see below to watch). The animation is part of an updated report released by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York, which analyzes global surface temperatures on a constant basis, to include 2013 temperatures.

According to the updated report, the average global temperature in 2013 was 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the mid-1900s (57.2 degrees vs 58.3 degrees).

Climate change and global warming is a very touchy subject in today's political theater, particularly on whether or not it is human driven (or human aided). It will be interesting to see if this report is used, or forgotten, in the coming year.

If you'd like to learn more on what you are seeing, check out NASA's website.

NASA | Ancient Mars Video (Conceptualized)

Since childhood, I've always been fascinated with Mars. I owe that passion to my sci-fi junkie novel addiction. Just the idea that life evolved elsewhere triggers hope that all my childhood (and maybe some adult) fantasies of flying a Y-wing bomber for the rebel alliance, or running with the Fremen in Arrakis could come true... for my great great great... great? grandchildren.

That childhood obsession has evolved. Space and space time are fascinating to me. Our solar system has changed drastically over the course of its life and understanding that past is the largest treasue hunt of them all. Uncovering any hints, or speculations, just make me excited.

NASA posted a great short video to their YouTube page on what Mars might have looked like in the past... enjoy the video and here is their description (found on YouTube):

"Billions of years ago when the Red Planet was young, it appears to have had a thick atmosphere that was warm enough to support oceans of liquid water - a critical ingredient for life. The animation shows how the surface of Mars might have appeared during this ancient clement period, beginning with a flyover of a Martian lake. The artist's concept is based on evidence that Mars was once very different. Rapidly moving clouds suggest the passage of time, and the shift from a warm and wet to a cold and dry climate is shown as the animation progresses. The lakes dry up, while the atmosphere gradually transitions from Earthlike blue skies to the dusty pink and tan hues seen on Mars today."