What is the story about?
What's Happening?
NASA's PREFIRE mission, utilizing two CubeSats, has been extended through September 2026 to study heat emissions from Earth. Initially focused on polar regions, the mission now aims to gather data globally, enhancing weather forecasts and understanding climate dynamics. The CubeSats measure far-infrared radiation, providing insights into how ice, clouds, and storms influence Earth's climate system. This data is crucial for improving models related to surface ice melt, snow accumulation, and cloud cover changes.
Why It's Important?
The PREFIRE mission is vital for advancing climate science, offering detailed measurements of heat emissions that affect global weather patterns. By expanding its focus, the mission can improve forecasts of weather severity and storm frequency, aiding in disaster preparedness and resource management. The insights gained can inform policy decisions on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, impacting environmental and economic stakeholders worldwide.
What's Next?
The PREFIRE team plans to incorporate global data into weather prediction models, enhancing forecasts and understanding moisture circulation. This expansion will allow researchers to study the size of ice particles in clouds, affecting energy exchange between Earth and space. The mission's asynchronous orbit provides snapshots of phenomena over time, enabling analysis of short-term climate effects. Continued data collection will support ongoing research and potential future missions.
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