As Hurricane Melissa approached Jamaica last month, a NOAA Hurricane Hunter airplane dropped a fleet of weather instruments called dropsondes into the depths of the storm. When the National Hurricane Center received the dropsonde data from the plane via satellite and processed the 252 mph reading, they cautiously began referring to the measurement as a potential record. In order to verify the reading, they contacted researchers at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), where dropsondes were developed, and asked them to verify the data.  

This past summer, if New Yorkers looked up from the hustle and bustle of urban life, they may have spotted a C-130 research aircraft flying above the skyscrapers. The plane was doing research flights over the tri-state area to collect data on urban air quality for a scientific research field campaign called GOTHAAM. No classic villains or superheroes here, just researchers studying the composition of the air in both the light and dark of the New York metro area.

Super Science Saturday returns on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a super-powered day of discovery! This year's theme is "Heroes Assemble" and we invite science lovers of all ages to join forces to explore hands-on science activities and demonstrations.

UCAR members elect two new trustees and welcome a new member institution.

Six researchers at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) have been recognized with fellowships and awards from two prestigious Earth and space science organizations.