MS-ESS2-6

Earth

Newfound ‘dunes’ is among weirdest of northern lights

There’s a new aurora dubbed the 'dunes.' It’s weird and joins the ranks of black auroras, STEVE and other odd natural light shows.

Climate

Explainer: Why some clouds glow in the dark

A surprise space rock lit up the night sky over California — and left behind a rare type of cloud. Such glowing beauties may become more common with climate change.

Climate

Explainer: What is attribution science?

A relatively new, developing field of science investigates possible links between climate change and extreme weather events.

Climate

Explainer: Winds and where they come from

Temperature and pressure are critical factors affecting why the wind blows where it does. Understanding the nature of wind can teach us a lot about weather.

Climate

Explainer: Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons

Hurricanes are some of the most destructive forces on the planet. Here’s how they form and why they are so dangerous.

Climate

Scientists Say: Albedo

To measure how much light reflects off an object, scientists measure its albedo.

Climate

Last year’s strong El Niño is gone. Next up: La Niña

The 2015 to 2016 El Niño was one of the three strongest on record. It’s now over. Climate experts now predict a La Niña is on its way.

Climate

Warming’s role in extreme weather

Extremes in temperature and precipitation will be more common as global temperatures rise. Human-led climate change is largely to blame, a new study finds.

Climate

Fast sea level rise is a very recent change

Sea levels have been rising for more than a century. But that rise is now speeding up. That suggests that what is driving the rise — climate change — also has increased dramatically in recent years.

Climate

Explainer: Why a tornado forms

Tornadoes start with a thunderstorm. But they also require other ingredients, such as instability.

Climate

Explainer: El Niño and La Niña