Jupiter’s auroras caught on film. Watch here!

Watch a video showing the James Webb Space Telescope’s new discoveries surrounding Jupiter’s auroras. Video via NASA.

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• Webb watched Jupiter’s auroras flickering, fluctuating and undulating at the Jovian north pole.
• On Earth, auroras occur when energetic particles from the sun get funneled inward by our magnetic field and slam into the atmosphere near Earth’s poles.
• Jupiter auroras are on a grander scale. They’re both larger and hundreds of times brighter than Earth’s. See new video of Jupiter’s auroras from Webb.

NASA published this original article on May 12, 2025. Edits by EarthSky.

Jupiter’s auroras caught on film

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured new details of the auroras on our solar system’s largest planet. The dancing lights Webb observed on Jupiter are hundreds of times brighter than those on Earth. With Webb’s advanced sensitivity, astronomers have studied the phenomena to better understand Jupiter’s magnetosphere.

When high-energy particles enter a planet’s atmosphere near its magnetic poles and collide with atoms or molecules of gas, it creates auroras. On Earth, we call auroras the northern and southern lights.

Not only are the auroras on Jupiter huge in size, they’re also hundreds of times more energetic than those in Earth’s atmosphere. Earth’s auroras are caused by solar storms. When charged particles from the sun rain down on the upper atmosphere, they energize gases and cause them to glow in shades of red, green and purple.

Jupiter has an additional source for its auroras. The strong magnetic field of the gas giant grabs charged particles from its surroundings. This includes not only the charged particles within the solar wind but also the particles thrown into space by its orbiting moon Io. Io is known for its numerous and large volcanoes. In fact, Io’s volcanoes spew particles that escape the moon’s gravity and orbit Jupiter.

The sun releases a barrage of charged particles that also reaches the planet. Jupiter’s large and powerful magnetic field captures all of the charged particles and accelerates them to tremendous speeds. These speedy particles slam into the planet’s atmosphere at high energies. This excites the gas and causes it to glow.

New views from Webb

Now, Webb is providing new insights into the auroras on Jupiter. The telescope’s sensitivity allows astronomers to capture fast-varying auroral features. A team of scientists led by Jonathan Nichols from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom collected new data from Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera on December 25, 2023. Nichols said:

What a Christmas present it was, it just blew me away! We wanted to see how quickly the auroras change, expecting them to fade in and out ponderously, perhaps over a quarter of an hour or so. Instead, we observed the whole auroral region fizzing and popping with light, sometimes varying by the second.

In particular, the team studied an emission from the trihydrogen cation (H3+), which auroras can create. They found this emission is far more variable than they previously believed. The observations will help develop scientists’ understanding of how Jupiter’s upper atmosphere heats and cools.

The scientists published their results on May 12, 2025, in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.

These observations of Jupiter’s auroras are from Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera on December 25, 2023. Scientists found that the emission from trihydrogen cation, known as H3+, is far more variable than they previously believed. H3+ is created by the impact of high energy electrons on molecular hydrogen. Webb can easily capture this emission, which shines brightly in the infrared. Image via NASA/ ESA/ CSA/ Jonathan Nichols (University of Leicester)/ Mahdi Zamani (ESA/Webb).

Mysteries of Jupiter’s auroras

The team also uncovered some unexplained observations in their data. Nichols said:

What made these observations even more special is that we also took pictures simultaneously in the ultraviolet with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Bizarrely, the brightest light observed by Webb had no real counterpart in Hubble’s pictures. This has left us scratching our heads. In order to cause the combination of brightness seen by both Webb and Hubble, we need to have a combination of high quantities of very low-energy particles hitting the atmosphere. This was previously thought to be impossible. We still don’t understand how this happens.

The team now plans to study this discrepancy between the Hubble and Webb data and to explore the wider implications for Jupiter’s atmosphere and space environment. They also intend to follow up this research with more Webb observations, which they can compare with data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft to better explore the cause of the enigmatic bright emission.

Bottom line: The Webb space telescope has captured video of Jupiter’s auroras, showing them popping, fizzing and moving at great speed. See the video here.

Source: Dynamic infrared aurora on Jupiter

Via NASA

Read more: Heatwave on Jupiter, from its aurora

Read more: Auroras on Jupiter’s moons seen in new light

The post Jupiter’s auroras caught on film. Watch here! first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/atnX3Iq

Watch a video showing the James Webb Space Telescope’s new discoveries surrounding Jupiter’s auroras. Video via NASA.

Science matters. Wonder matters. You matter. Join our 2025 Donation Campaign today.

• Webb watched Jupiter’s auroras flickering, fluctuating and undulating at the Jovian north pole.
• On Earth, auroras occur when energetic particles from the sun get funneled inward by our magnetic field and slam into the atmosphere near Earth’s poles.
• Jupiter auroras are on a grander scale. They’re both larger and hundreds of times brighter than Earth’s. See new video of Jupiter’s auroras from Webb.

NASA published this original article on May 12, 2025. Edits by EarthSky.

Jupiter’s auroras caught on film

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured new details of the auroras on our solar system’s largest planet. The dancing lights Webb observed on Jupiter are hundreds of times brighter than those on Earth. With Webb’s advanced sensitivity, astronomers have studied the phenomena to better understand Jupiter’s magnetosphere.

When high-energy particles enter a planet’s atmosphere near its magnetic poles and collide with atoms or molecules of gas, it creates auroras. On Earth, we call auroras the northern and southern lights.

Not only are the auroras on Jupiter huge in size, they’re also hundreds of times more energetic than those in Earth’s atmosphere. Earth’s auroras are caused by solar storms. When charged particles from the sun rain down on the upper atmosphere, they energize gases and cause them to glow in shades of red, green and purple.

Jupiter has an additional source for its auroras. The strong magnetic field of the gas giant grabs charged particles from its surroundings. This includes not only the charged particles within the solar wind but also the particles thrown into space by its orbiting moon Io. Io is known for its numerous and large volcanoes. In fact, Io’s volcanoes spew particles that escape the moon’s gravity and orbit Jupiter.

The sun releases a barrage of charged particles that also reaches the planet. Jupiter’s large and powerful magnetic field captures all of the charged particles and accelerates them to tremendous speeds. These speedy particles slam into the planet’s atmosphere at high energies. This excites the gas and causes it to glow.

New views from Webb

Now, Webb is providing new insights into the auroras on Jupiter. The telescope’s sensitivity allows astronomers to capture fast-varying auroral features. A team of scientists led by Jonathan Nichols from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom collected new data from Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera on December 25, 2023. Nichols said:

What a Christmas present it was, it just blew me away! We wanted to see how quickly the auroras change, expecting them to fade in and out ponderously, perhaps over a quarter of an hour or so. Instead, we observed the whole auroral region fizzing and popping with light, sometimes varying by the second.

In particular, the team studied an emission from the trihydrogen cation (H3+), which auroras can create. They found this emission is far more variable than they previously believed. The observations will help develop scientists’ understanding of how Jupiter’s upper atmosphere heats and cools.

The scientists published their results on May 12, 2025, in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.

These observations of Jupiter’s auroras are from Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera on December 25, 2023. Scientists found that the emission from trihydrogen cation, known as H3+, is far more variable than they previously believed. H3+ is created by the impact of high energy electrons on molecular hydrogen. Webb can easily capture this emission, which shines brightly in the infrared. Image via NASA/ ESA/ CSA/ Jonathan Nichols (University of Leicester)/ Mahdi Zamani (ESA/Webb).

Mysteries of Jupiter’s auroras

The team also uncovered some unexplained observations in their data. Nichols said:

What made these observations even more special is that we also took pictures simultaneously in the ultraviolet with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Bizarrely, the brightest light observed by Webb had no real counterpart in Hubble’s pictures. This has left us scratching our heads. In order to cause the combination of brightness seen by both Webb and Hubble, we need to have a combination of high quantities of very low-energy particles hitting the atmosphere. This was previously thought to be impossible. We still don’t understand how this happens.

The team now plans to study this discrepancy between the Hubble and Webb data and to explore the wider implications for Jupiter’s atmosphere and space environment. They also intend to follow up this research with more Webb observations, which they can compare with data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft to better explore the cause of the enigmatic bright emission.

Bottom line: The Webb space telescope has captured video of Jupiter’s auroras, showing them popping, fizzing and moving at great speed. See the video here.

Source: Dynamic infrared aurora on Jupiter

Via NASA

Read more: Heatwave on Jupiter, from its aurora

Read more: Auroras on Jupiter’s moons seen in new light

The post Jupiter’s auroras caught on film. Watch here! first appeared on EarthSky.

from EarthSky https://ift.tt/atnX3Iq

Find the Keystone in Hercules, and the Hercules Cluster M13

Hercules is a faint constellation. But its mid-section contains the easy-to-see Keystone asterism, that is, a star pattern. You can find Hercules between the bright stars Vega in Lyra the Harp, and Arcturus in Boötes the Herdsman. And once you find the Keystone, you can easily locate M13, the Hercules cluster. Chart via EarthSky.

Looking up has never felt more important. Please donate to help EarthSky keep bringing the sky to your screen.

Use Vega to locate the Keystone in Hercules

In late spring, from mid-northern latitudes, you can easily find the brilliant star Vega in the eastern sky at dusk and nightfall. The brilliant blue-white star Vega, in Lyra the Harp, acts as your guide star to the Keystone, a wedge-shaped pattern of four stars in the constellation Hercules.

Look for the Keystone asterism – star pattern – to the upper right of Vega. Or hold your fist at arm’s length, it’ll easily fit between Vega and the Keystone.

Also, you can locate the Keystone by using Vega in conjunction with the brilliant yellow-orange star Arcturus, in Boötes the Herdsman. The Keystone is found about 1/3 of the way from Vega to Arcturus, the two brightest stars to grace the Northern Hemisphere’s spring and summertime sky. From mid-northern latitudes this time of year, Arcturus is found quite high in the eastern sky at nightfall. Then, by late evening, Arcturus moves high overhead.

Before you can find M13, you need to find the Keystone in Hercules, a pattern of 4 stars. So as darkness falls, look for the Keystone to the upper right of the brilliant star Vega. Chart via EarthSky.

Use the Keystone to find M13

Furthermore, the Keystone is your ticket to find a famous globular star cluster in Hercules, otherwise known as the Hercules cluster, aka Messier 13 or M13.

Most likely, you’ll need binoculars to see the Hercules cluster. Although sharp-eyed people can see it with the unaided eye in a dark, transparent sky. But through binoculars, this cluster looks like a dim smudge or a somewhat fuzzy star. However, a telescope begins to resolve this faint fuzzy object into what it really is, a great, big, globe-shaped stellar city populated with hundreds of thousands of stars!

Then, later in the evening, the Keystone and the Hercules cluster swing high overhead after midnight, and are found in the western sky before dawn.

Can you find the Keystone on this chart? See the compact grouping of 4 stars at the center of Hercules? That’s it. Note the whereabouts of Messier 13 within the Keystone pattern. Also, above the Keystone is another globular cluster, M92. It’s a bit smaller and dimmer than M13, but also easy to pick up in binoculars or a telescope. Image via International Astronomical Union/ Sky & Telescope/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).

Photos of M13 from EarthSky Community Photos

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tameem Altameemi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), captured this telescopic view of the great Hercules Cluster on April 26, 2025. Tameem wrote: “This image features the beautiful globular cluster Messier 13, also historically known as the Al-Jathi Cluster. Located in the constellation Hercules, M13 lies about 22,200 light-years away from Earth and has an estimated age of 11.65 billion years. It contains several hundred thousand ancient stars, densely packed into a region about 213 light-years across. In the same field of view, the spiral galaxy NGC 6207 and the faint active galaxy IC 4617 are visible.” Thank you, Tameem!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tom Cofer in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, captured this telescopic view of Messier 13, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, on March 14, 2025. Tom wrote: “A snow globe of stars!” Thank you, Tom!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Stephen Montag in Livingston, New Jersey, captured this telescopic view of Messier 13 on May 24, 2024. Stephen wrote: “The Great Hercules Cluster, consisting of several hundred thousand stars. Located 25,000 light-years from Earth.” Thank you, Stephen!

Bottom line: Let the bright star Vega guide you to a famous star pattern in Hercules – called the Keystone – and then to the Hercules cluster, aka M13, a famous globular star cluster.

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The post Find the Keystone in Hercules, and the Hercules Cluster M13 first appeared on EarthSky.

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Hercules is a faint constellation. But its mid-section contains the easy-to-see Keystone asterism, that is, a star pattern. You can find Hercules between the bright stars Vega in Lyra the Harp, and Arcturus in Boötes the Herdsman. And once you find the Keystone, you can easily locate M13, the Hercules cluster. Chart via EarthSky.

Looking up has never felt more important. Please donate to help EarthSky keep bringing the sky to your screen.

Use Vega to locate the Keystone in Hercules

In late spring, from mid-northern latitudes, you can easily find the brilliant star Vega in the eastern sky at dusk and nightfall. The brilliant blue-white star Vega, in Lyra the Harp, acts as your guide star to the Keystone, a wedge-shaped pattern of four stars in the constellation Hercules.

Look for the Keystone asterism – star pattern – to the upper right of Vega. Or hold your fist at arm’s length, it’ll easily fit between Vega and the Keystone.

Also, you can locate the Keystone by using Vega in conjunction with the brilliant yellow-orange star Arcturus, in Boötes the Herdsman. The Keystone is found about 1/3 of the way from Vega to Arcturus, the two brightest stars to grace the Northern Hemisphere’s spring and summertime sky. From mid-northern latitudes this time of year, Arcturus is found quite high in the eastern sky at nightfall. Then, by late evening, Arcturus moves high overhead.

Before you can find M13, you need to find the Keystone in Hercules, a pattern of 4 stars. So as darkness falls, look for the Keystone to the upper right of the brilliant star Vega. Chart via EarthSky.

Use the Keystone to find M13

Furthermore, the Keystone is your ticket to find a famous globular star cluster in Hercules, otherwise known as the Hercules cluster, aka Messier 13 or M13.

Most likely, you’ll need binoculars to see the Hercules cluster. Although sharp-eyed people can see it with the unaided eye in a dark, transparent sky. But through binoculars, this cluster looks like a dim smudge or a somewhat fuzzy star. However, a telescope begins to resolve this faint fuzzy object into what it really is, a great, big, globe-shaped stellar city populated with hundreds of thousands of stars!

Then, later in the evening, the Keystone and the Hercules cluster swing high overhead after midnight, and are found in the western sky before dawn.

Can you find the Keystone on this chart? See the compact grouping of 4 stars at the center of Hercules? That’s it. Note the whereabouts of Messier 13 within the Keystone pattern. Also, above the Keystone is another globular cluster, M92. It’s a bit smaller and dimmer than M13, but also easy to pick up in binoculars or a telescope. Image via International Astronomical Union/ Sky & Telescope/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).

Photos of M13 from EarthSky Community Photos

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tameem Altameemi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), captured this telescopic view of the great Hercules Cluster on April 26, 2025. Tameem wrote: “This image features the beautiful globular cluster Messier 13, also historically known as the Al-Jathi Cluster. Located in the constellation Hercules, M13 lies about 22,200 light-years away from Earth and has an estimated age of 11.65 billion years. It contains several hundred thousand ancient stars, densely packed into a region about 213 light-years across. In the same field of view, the spiral galaxy NGC 6207 and the faint active galaxy IC 4617 are visible.” Thank you, Tameem!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Tom Cofer in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, captured this telescopic view of Messier 13, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, on March 14, 2025. Tom wrote: “A snow globe of stars!” Thank you, Tom!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Stephen Montag in Livingston, New Jersey, captured this telescopic view of Messier 13 on May 24, 2024. Stephen wrote: “The Great Hercules Cluster, consisting of several hundred thousand stars. Located 25,000 light-years from Earth.” Thank you, Stephen!

Bottom line: Let the bright star Vega guide you to a famous star pattern in Hercules – called the Keystone – and then to the Hercules cluster, aka M13, a famous globular star cluster.

Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!

EarthSky astronomy kits are perfect for beginners. Order today from the EarthSky store

The post Find the Keystone in Hercules, and the Hercules Cluster M13 first appeared on EarthSky.

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Severe storms, extreme heat and fire danger: Weather update

Massive thunderstorms called supercells can form when the right weather ingredients come together. We can expect severe storms, extreme heat and fire danger over the coming days in the U.S. Read on for the upcoming forecast. Image via Greg Lundeen/ NOAA

Tornadoes, damaging wind and large hail are all possible Thursday across the northern Plains and Great Lakes. Plus, triple digit heat is expected across the Gulf Coast, with more fire weather in the southwest. It’s been an active start to May, and the active weather continues this week.

Severe storms: Thursday’s thunderstorm risk

On Thursday, May 15, we’re expecting severe weather across Wisconsin as well as areas near Lake Michigan and down through the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. A Level 3 Enhanced Risk is focused mainly around Wisconsin. The biggest threats will come in the form of significant tornadoes (EF2 or stronger), damaging wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour, and large hail up to 2 to 3 inches in diameter, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

More than 16 million people are in the Enhanced Risk, including the cities of Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee and Madison in Wisconsin; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. There is also a Level 2 Slight Risk for the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. This incudes Minneapolis, Minnesota; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; and down through Paducah, Kentucky. While severe weather in the Slight Risk area may be more isolated, tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail are also possible through the day Thursday.

Thursday’s severe weather risk. Image via NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.

More on the severe storms for Thursday into Friday

Warm, muggy air is in place across the entire risk area. So, as a cold front moves across the middle of the United States, it will spark the chance for severe weather. Storms may be slow to develop. But once they start to form, tapping into the warm and muggy conditions, they will quickly become strong to severe.

While a line of severe weather is possible, isolated storms may also form. These could produce the largest hail and strong tornadoes. Whether more individual storms or a broken line, severe wind is possible, in addition to the hail and tornado risk. Remember to stay up to date with any watches and warnings through your local National Weather Service office by entering your location here.

The severe threat continues Friday. Another Level 3 Enhanced Risk for severe weather is in place across the Ohio River Valley. This includes Indianapolis, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and Little Rock, Arkansas. The Storm Prediction Center says:

… significant severe storms appear possible — with a risk for all hazards accompanying this activity, including very large hail, tornadoes, and intense wind gusts.

Warm, humid air will create an environment for strong storms to develop as a cold front moves through.

Friday’s severe weather risk. Image via NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.

Extreme heat

Forecasts call for triple-digit heat across parts of south Texas through the end of the week. The National Weather Service office that covers Austin and San Antonio, Texas, is forecasting afternoon high temperatures in the range of 95 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit (35 to 41 C) Thursday through Sunday. The worst of the heat peaked Wednesday, May 14, with a record high temperature of 102 degrees F (38.8 C) for San Antonio. It broke the previous record of 97 degrees set back in 1995 (and tied in 2022). Triple-digit heat is not impossible in May for south Texas, but it is still abnormal and dangerous.

The average high (what is considered normal based on a 30-year average) for San Antonio is 86 to 87 degrees F from May 15 through May 18. And that means afternoon temperatures are more than 10 degrees warmer than average. We don’t expect much relief into next week. And highs are likely to stay in the upper 90s, which is still warmer than average.

Extreme heat advisory vs. watch vs. warning

Heat kills hundreds of people each year. That makes it the number one weather-related killer in the United States. Paying attention to the forecast – and knowing how to deal with extreme heat – is the best way to keep you and your family safe. This especially true as we get into the hot, summer months.

If a Heat Advisory is issued, it means forecasters expect dangerous heat, but not to warning levels. An Extreme Heat Watch is issued when dangerous heat is expected, but the exact timing is still being determined. When an Extreme Heat Watch is issued, you should cancel or reschedule outdoor actives. This is also the time, if you do not have air-conditioning, to find a cooling shelter or talk with friends and family to see if you can stay with them until the heat is over.

The difference between an Extreme Heat Watch and Warning. Graphic via the National Weather Service.

An Extreme Heat Warning is issued when dangerous heat is about to happen or is already happening. You should avoid all outdoor activities, especially during the hottest part of the day. If you cannot avoid being outside, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Being in air-conditioning is best, however.

Extreme heat impacts the very young, the very old, people with chronic illnesses and people who are pregnant. Other vulnerable populations include those who do not have access or cannot afford to run their air-conditioning. When this dangerous weather is forecast for your area, remember to check on your friends and neighbors to help them through the heatwave.

Fire danger

An Elevated Fire Danger risk is possible for southern New Mexico on Thursday, May 15. West winds could gust to 25 miles per hour. And with relative humidity below 20%, any vegetation or fuel on the ground will quickly dry out, leading to fire concerns. Relative humidity is an important key to fire weather, as it measures the amount of moisture the air can hold as a percentage. The lower the percentage, the drier the air. Read more here. Forecasters expect fire danger into next week, but so far no day has been outlined in any one risk factor.

The fire risk for Thursday, May 15, 2025. Graphic via the Storm Prediction Center.

Bottom Line: Spring is an active season across the United States. Forecasters expect severe storms, extreme heat and more over the coming days. Stay weather aware.

The post Severe storms, extreme heat and fire danger: Weather update first appeared on EarthSky.

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Massive thunderstorms called supercells can form when the right weather ingredients come together. We can expect severe storms, extreme heat and fire danger over the coming days in the U.S. Read on for the upcoming forecast. Image via Greg Lundeen/ NOAA

Tornadoes, damaging wind and large hail are all possible Thursday across the northern Plains and Great Lakes. Plus, triple digit heat is expected across the Gulf Coast, with more fire weather in the southwest. It’s been an active start to May, and the active weather continues this week.

Severe storms: Thursday’s thunderstorm risk

On Thursday, May 15, we’re expecting severe weather across Wisconsin as well as areas near Lake Michigan and down through the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. A Level 3 Enhanced Risk is focused mainly around Wisconsin. The biggest threats will come in the form of significant tornadoes (EF2 or stronger), damaging wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour, and large hail up to 2 to 3 inches in diameter, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

More than 16 million people are in the Enhanced Risk, including the cities of Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee and Madison in Wisconsin; and Grand Rapids, Michigan. There is also a Level 2 Slight Risk for the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. This incudes Minneapolis, Minnesota; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; and down through Paducah, Kentucky. While severe weather in the Slight Risk area may be more isolated, tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail are also possible through the day Thursday.

Thursday’s severe weather risk. Image via NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.

More on the severe storms for Thursday into Friday

Warm, muggy air is in place across the entire risk area. So, as a cold front moves across the middle of the United States, it will spark the chance for severe weather. Storms may be slow to develop. But once they start to form, tapping into the warm and muggy conditions, they will quickly become strong to severe.

While a line of severe weather is possible, isolated storms may also form. These could produce the largest hail and strong tornadoes. Whether more individual storms or a broken line, severe wind is possible, in addition to the hail and tornado risk. Remember to stay up to date with any watches and warnings through your local National Weather Service office by entering your location here.

The severe threat continues Friday. Another Level 3 Enhanced Risk for severe weather is in place across the Ohio River Valley. This includes Indianapolis, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and Little Rock, Arkansas. The Storm Prediction Center says:

… significant severe storms appear possible — with a risk for all hazards accompanying this activity, including very large hail, tornadoes, and intense wind gusts.

Warm, humid air will create an environment for strong storms to develop as a cold front moves through.

Friday’s severe weather risk. Image via NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.

Extreme heat

Forecasts call for triple-digit heat across parts of south Texas through the end of the week. The National Weather Service office that covers Austin and San Antonio, Texas, is forecasting afternoon high temperatures in the range of 95 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit (35 to 41 C) Thursday through Sunday. The worst of the heat peaked Wednesday, May 14, with a record high temperature of 102 degrees F (38.8 C) for San Antonio. It broke the previous record of 97 degrees set back in 1995 (and tied in 2022). Triple-digit heat is not impossible in May for south Texas, but it is still abnormal and dangerous.

The average high (what is considered normal based on a 30-year average) for San Antonio is 86 to 87 degrees F from May 15 through May 18. And that means afternoon temperatures are more than 10 degrees warmer than average. We don’t expect much relief into next week. And highs are likely to stay in the upper 90s, which is still warmer than average.

Extreme heat advisory vs. watch vs. warning

Heat kills hundreds of people each year. That makes it the number one weather-related killer in the United States. Paying attention to the forecast – and knowing how to deal with extreme heat – is the best way to keep you and your family safe. This especially true as we get into the hot, summer months.

If a Heat Advisory is issued, it means forecasters expect dangerous heat, but not to warning levels. An Extreme Heat Watch is issued when dangerous heat is expected, but the exact timing is still being determined. When an Extreme Heat Watch is issued, you should cancel or reschedule outdoor actives. This is also the time, if you do not have air-conditioning, to find a cooling shelter or talk with friends and family to see if you can stay with them until the heat is over.

The difference between an Extreme Heat Watch and Warning. Graphic via the National Weather Service.

An Extreme Heat Warning is issued when dangerous heat is about to happen or is already happening. You should avoid all outdoor activities, especially during the hottest part of the day. If you cannot avoid being outside, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Being in air-conditioning is best, however.

Extreme heat impacts the very young, the very old, people with chronic illnesses and people who are pregnant. Other vulnerable populations include those who do not have access or cannot afford to run their air-conditioning. When this dangerous weather is forecast for your area, remember to check on your friends and neighbors to help them through the heatwave.

Fire danger

An Elevated Fire Danger risk is possible for southern New Mexico on Thursday, May 15. West winds could gust to 25 miles per hour. And with relative humidity below 20%, any vegetation or fuel on the ground will quickly dry out, leading to fire concerns. Relative humidity is an important key to fire weather, as it measures the amount of moisture the air can hold as a percentage. The lower the percentage, the drier the air. Read more here. Forecasters expect fire danger into next week, but so far no day has been outlined in any one risk factor.

The fire risk for Thursday, May 15, 2025. Graphic via the Storm Prediction Center.

Bottom Line: Spring is an active season across the United States. Forecasters expect severe storms, extreme heat and more over the coming days. Stay weather aware.

The post Severe storms, extreme heat and fire danger: Weather update first appeared on EarthSky.

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Big cities are sinking in the US. Is yours one?

According to a study published on May 8, 2025, all major US cities are sinking. Lead author of the study, Leonard Ohenhen, had problems with his internet connection yesterday, but we have rescheduled our interview with him and we will be back on Monday 19. Don’t miss it! Watch in the player above or on YouTube.

No hype. Just real science, powered by real people. That’s you.

All major US cities are sinking

A study of the 28 most populous cities in the United States found they are all sinking. These cities are home to some 34 million people, or about 12% of the total U.S. population. Researchers at Virginia Tech said on May 8, 2025, that in 25 of 28 cities, at least 65% of the land is sinking. The major cause of the sinking is groundwater extraction.

As cities extract groundwater for human use, if the aquifer is not soon replenished, the spaces left behind compact. And that causes the ground to sink. As city populations continue to grow, and some places experience climate-induced droughts, the scientists said the problem will get worse.

The researchers published their peer-reviewed study in the journal Nature Cities on May 8, 2025.

How much are cities sinking?

The researchers said some urban areas are sinking by 2 to 10 millimeters, or 0.08 to 0.4 inches per year. That doesn’t sound like much, does it? Yet the effects are still serious. Lead author Leonard Ohenhen, a former Virginia Tech graduate student and now a postdoctoral researcher at the Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, said:

Even slight downward shifts in land can significantly compromise the structural integrity of buildings, roads, bridges and railways over time.

This map shows how much the major U.S. cities are sinking. The red end of the scale shows the most vertical land motion. Houston, Texas, is the fastest sinking city. Image via Columbia University.

The difference makes a difference

Some areas of cities are sinking faster than others, and that’s a problem. The researchers – who used satellites to take precisely accurate measurements of the land – said the unequal sinking of the land was one of the most harmful effects. The good news is that only 1% of the land area in these cities have enough differential motion to affect buildings, roads and structures. The bad news is that these areas tend to be in the densely populated urban cores. Co-author Manoochehr Shirzaei at Virginia Tech said:

The latent nature of this risk means that infrastructure can be silently compromised over time with damage only becoming evident when it is severe or potentially catastrophic. This risk is often exacerbated in rapidly expanding urban centers.

Texas cities have particular problems

Houston is the fastest-sinking city. More than 40% of its land has been sinking at a rate of more than 5 millimeters (about 1/5 inch) per year. And 12% of Houston is sinking at twice that rate. But the news is not good for other Texas cities, either. Dallas and Forth Worth are not far behind. San Antonio and Austin’s highest risk areas are in their dense urban cores. One of the reasons Texas sees more sinking is because the problem is made worse due to extractions of oil and gas.

Houston, Texas (left), is the fastest-sinking city in the U.S. But there is a visible difference across the city, with red sinking the most. Much of New York City (right) is also slowly sinking. The area sinking fastest is around La Guardia Airport (LGA). Image via Virginia Tech. Graphics courtesy of Jeremy Hinsdale based on Ohenhen et al., Nature Cities 2025.

Other sources of sinking

Extraction of groundwater is the cause of about 80% of the sinking. Oil and gas extraction is also one of the factors. But there are other factors as well. When the glaciers advanced over North America some 20,000 years ago, the weight of the ice pressed down on some areas and lifted others. Some of those lifted areas are still settling since the ice retreated. And then there’s the weight of the skyscrapers and other buildings themselves. They’re also contributing to the sinking of some cities.

What can be done as cities are sinking?

The researchers said that monitoring the sinking land was key for urban planning. Some steps to mitigate the risk would include groundwater management, planning for more resilient infrastructure and long-term monitoring. Flooding resulting from the sinking land can be mitigated by raising the land in areas and adding more drainage and green infrastructure to absorb the water. The city cores that are most subject to tilting land can retrofit structures, adjust their building codes and limit building in the worst areas. Ohenhen said:

As opposed to just saying it’s a problem, we can respond, address, mitigate, adapt. We have to move to solutions.

Bottom line: A new study shows that all major U.S. cities are sinking. Groundwater extraction is the number one reason, along with some other factors. See where the problem is the worst.

Source: Land subsidence risk to infrastructure in US metropolises

Via Columbia University

Via Virginia Tech

Read more: Here are the US cities most vulnerable to space weather

The post Big cities are sinking in the US. Is yours one? first appeared on EarthSky.

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According to a study published on May 8, 2025, all major US cities are sinking. Lead author of the study, Leonard Ohenhen, had problems with his internet connection yesterday, but we have rescheduled our interview with him and we will be back on Monday 19. Don’t miss it! Watch in the player above or on YouTube.

No hype. Just real science, powered by real people. That’s you.

All major US cities are sinking

A study of the 28 most populous cities in the United States found they are all sinking. These cities are home to some 34 million people, or about 12% of the total U.S. population. Researchers at Virginia Tech said on May 8, 2025, that in 25 of 28 cities, at least 65% of the land is sinking. The major cause of the sinking is groundwater extraction.

As cities extract groundwater for human use, if the aquifer is not soon replenished, the spaces left behind compact. And that causes the ground to sink. As city populations continue to grow, and some places experience climate-induced droughts, the scientists said the problem will get worse.

The researchers published their peer-reviewed study in the journal Nature Cities on May 8, 2025.

How much are cities sinking?

The researchers said some urban areas are sinking by 2 to 10 millimeters, or 0.08 to 0.4 inches per year. That doesn’t sound like much, does it? Yet the effects are still serious. Lead author Leonard Ohenhen, a former Virginia Tech graduate student and now a postdoctoral researcher at the Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, said:

Even slight downward shifts in land can significantly compromise the structural integrity of buildings, roads, bridges and railways over time.

This map shows how much the major U.S. cities are sinking. The red end of the scale shows the most vertical land motion. Houston, Texas, is the fastest sinking city. Image via Columbia University.

The difference makes a difference

Some areas of cities are sinking faster than others, and that’s a problem. The researchers – who used satellites to take precisely accurate measurements of the land – said the unequal sinking of the land was one of the most harmful effects. The good news is that only 1% of the land area in these cities have enough differential motion to affect buildings, roads and structures. The bad news is that these areas tend to be in the densely populated urban cores. Co-author Manoochehr Shirzaei at Virginia Tech said:

The latent nature of this risk means that infrastructure can be silently compromised over time with damage only becoming evident when it is severe or potentially catastrophic. This risk is often exacerbated in rapidly expanding urban centers.

Texas cities have particular problems

Houston is the fastest-sinking city. More than 40% of its land has been sinking at a rate of more than 5 millimeters (about 1/5 inch) per year. And 12% of Houston is sinking at twice that rate. But the news is not good for other Texas cities, either. Dallas and Forth Worth are not far behind. San Antonio and Austin’s highest risk areas are in their dense urban cores. One of the reasons Texas sees more sinking is because the problem is made worse due to extractions of oil and gas.

Houston, Texas (left), is the fastest-sinking city in the U.S. But there is a visible difference across the city, with red sinking the most. Much of New York City (right) is also slowly sinking. The area sinking fastest is around La Guardia Airport (LGA). Image via Virginia Tech. Graphics courtesy of Jeremy Hinsdale based on Ohenhen et al., Nature Cities 2025.

Other sources of sinking

Extraction of groundwater is the cause of about 80% of the sinking. Oil and gas extraction is also one of the factors. But there are other factors as well. When the glaciers advanced over North America some 20,000 years ago, the weight of the ice pressed down on some areas and lifted others. Some of those lifted areas are still settling since the ice retreated. And then there’s the weight of the skyscrapers and other buildings themselves. They’re also contributing to the sinking of some cities.

What can be done as cities are sinking?

The researchers said that monitoring the sinking land was key for urban planning. Some steps to mitigate the risk would include groundwater management, planning for more resilient infrastructure and long-term monitoring. Flooding resulting from the sinking land can be mitigated by raising the land in areas and adding more drainage and green infrastructure to absorb the water. The city cores that are most subject to tilting land can retrofit structures, adjust their building codes and limit building in the worst areas. Ohenhen said:

As opposed to just saying it’s a problem, we can respond, address, mitigate, adapt. We have to move to solutions.

Bottom line: A new study shows that all major U.S. cities are sinking. Groundwater extraction is the number one reason, along with some other factors. See where the problem is the worst.

Source: Land subsidence risk to infrastructure in US metropolises

Via Columbia University

Via Virginia Tech

Read more: Here are the US cities most vulnerable to space weather

The post Big cities are sinking in the US. Is yours one? first appeared on EarthSky.

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Meet Omega Centauri, a giant globular star cluster

Omega Centauri in infrared light captured by the Spitzer Space Telescope. Image via NASA/ Wikimedia Commons.

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Omega Centauri is a monster globular star cluster

Omega Centauri, the largest known globular star cluster of the Milky Way, contains about 10 million stars. This behemoth, also known as NGC 5139, has a diameter of about 150 light-years. And, it’s 10 times more massive than a typical globular cluster. However, despite all these stars, scientists released a study in 2018 that said Omega Centauri probably is not home to life.

Stars are packed so tightly inside Omega Centauri that the average distance between stars in the cluster’s core is 0.1 light-years. That’s much closer than the sun’s nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, at 4.25 light-years. So scientists concluded that stars in Omega Centauri would gravitationally interact with each other too frequently to harbor stable habitable planets.

It’s not only Omega Centauri’s great size that sets it apart from other globular star clusters. Most globular clusters generally have stars of similar age and composition. However, studies of Omega Centauri reveal that it has different stellar populations that formed at varying periods of time. In fact, it may be that Omega Centauri is something other than a globular cluster. It might be a remnant core of a small galaxy absorbed by our Milky Way galaxy in the distant past!

The difference between an open and a globular star cluster

The symmetrical, round appearance of Omega Centauri distinguishes it from star clusters such as the Pleiades and Hyades, which are open star clusters.

An open star cluster is a loose gathering of dozens to hundreds of young stars that formed together within the disk of the Milky Way galaxy. Open clusters are weakly held together by gravity, and tend to disperse after several hundreds of millions of years.

Globular clusters, on the other hand, orbit the Milky Way outside the galactic disk. They harbor tens of thousands to millions of stars. Tightly bound by gravity, globular clusters remain intact after 12 billion years.

The globular cluster Omega Centauri – with as many as 10 million stars – shows all its splendor in this image captured with ESO’s La Silla Observatory. Image via ESO/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).

How to see Omega Centauri

Omega Centauri – the most luminous of all globular star clusters – is far to the south on the sky’s dome. It’s visible from the southern half of the United States, or south of 40 degrees north latitude (the latitude of Denver, Colorado and Beijing, China). However, Canadians hasten to remind us that they can spot Omega Centauri from as far north as Point Pelee in Canada (42 degrees north latitude). When seeing conditions are just right, they say they “… can catch the Omega Centauri star cluster skimming along the surface of Lake Erie.”

On the other hand, from the Southern Hemisphere, Omega Centauri appears much higher in the sky and is a glorious sight.

From the Southern Hemisphere, use the bright constellation Crux as a guide to find Centaurus and Omega Centauri.

Finding Omega Centauri from the Northern Hemisphere

If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere and want to spot this cluster, know that Omega Centauri can only be seen at certain times of the year. It’s best seen in the evening sky from the Northern Hemisphere late on April, May and June evenings.

So around mid-May, this wondrous star cluster is highest up and due south around 11 p.m. your local daylight saving time.

Then, by mid-June, Omega Centauri is highest up and due south around 10 p.m. your local daylight saving time.

Northern Hemisphere residents can see Omega Centauri from January through April as well, but they must be willing to stay up past midnight or get up before dawn.

Use the bright blue-white star Spica to locate the large Omega Centauri star cluster on Northern Hemisphere spring evenings. This chart shows the view from 35 degrees north latitude. Image via Stellarium.

Use the Big Dipper to find Spica

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, serves as your guide star to Omega Centauri. When Spica and Omega Centauri transit – appear due south and reach the highest point in the sky – they do so in unison. However, Omega Centauri transits about 35 degrees south of (or below) sparkling blue-white Spica. For reference, your fist at arm’s length approximates 10 degrees of sky. Find Spica by following the arc in the handle of the Big Dipper.

Use the Big Dipper to locate the stars Arcturus and Spica.

Use the search function in Stellarium-Web.org to locate sky objects as viewed from your location

It’s visible to the unaided eye

Generally, open clusters visible to the unaided eye are hundreds to a few thousand light-years away. In contrast, globular clusters are generally tens of thousands of light-years distant.

At about 16,000 light-years, Omega Centauri is one of the few of our galaxy’s 150 or so globular clusters that is visible to the unaided eye. It shines at +3.9 magnitude. It looks like a faint, fuzzy star, but Omega Centauri’s mere presence testifies to its size and brilliance. Like any globular cluster, Omega Centauri is best viewed with a telescope.

Omega Centauri’s position is at Right Ascension: 13h 26.8m; Declination: 47 degrees 29′ south.

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Scott Smith of Palmetto, Florida, captured this image on March 3 2025. Scott wrote: “Omega Centauri (NGC 5139 or Caldwell 80) is a globular cluster in the constellation of Centaurus. Located at a distance of 17,090 light-years, it is the largest known globular cluster in the Milky Way at a diameter of roughly 150 light-years. It is estimated to contain approximately 10 million stars, making it the most massive known globular cluster in the Milky Way.” Thank you, Scott!

Bottom line: The Milky Way’s largest globular star cluster, Omega Centauri, contains about 10 million stars. It’s visible from the Southern Hemisphere as well as parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

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Omega Centauri in infrared light captured by the Spitzer Space Telescope. Image via NASA/ Wikimedia Commons.

Your support = more science, more stars, more wonder.
Donate to EarthSky and be part of something bigger.

Omega Centauri is a monster globular star cluster

Omega Centauri, the largest known globular star cluster of the Milky Way, contains about 10 million stars. This behemoth, also known as NGC 5139, has a diameter of about 150 light-years. And, it’s 10 times more massive than a typical globular cluster. However, despite all these stars, scientists released a study in 2018 that said Omega Centauri probably is not home to life.

Stars are packed so tightly inside Omega Centauri that the average distance between stars in the cluster’s core is 0.1 light-years. That’s much closer than the sun’s nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, at 4.25 light-years. So scientists concluded that stars in Omega Centauri would gravitationally interact with each other too frequently to harbor stable habitable planets.

It’s not only Omega Centauri’s great size that sets it apart from other globular star clusters. Most globular clusters generally have stars of similar age and composition. However, studies of Omega Centauri reveal that it has different stellar populations that formed at varying periods of time. In fact, it may be that Omega Centauri is something other than a globular cluster. It might be a remnant core of a small galaxy absorbed by our Milky Way galaxy in the distant past!

The difference between an open and a globular star cluster

The symmetrical, round appearance of Omega Centauri distinguishes it from star clusters such as the Pleiades and Hyades, which are open star clusters.

An open star cluster is a loose gathering of dozens to hundreds of young stars that formed together within the disk of the Milky Way galaxy. Open clusters are weakly held together by gravity, and tend to disperse after several hundreds of millions of years.

Globular clusters, on the other hand, orbit the Milky Way outside the galactic disk. They harbor tens of thousands to millions of stars. Tightly bound by gravity, globular clusters remain intact after 12 billion years.

The globular cluster Omega Centauri – with as many as 10 million stars – shows all its splendor in this image captured with ESO’s La Silla Observatory. Image via ESO/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).

How to see Omega Centauri

Omega Centauri – the most luminous of all globular star clusters – is far to the south on the sky’s dome. It’s visible from the southern half of the United States, or south of 40 degrees north latitude (the latitude of Denver, Colorado and Beijing, China). However, Canadians hasten to remind us that they can spot Omega Centauri from as far north as Point Pelee in Canada (42 degrees north latitude). When seeing conditions are just right, they say they “… can catch the Omega Centauri star cluster skimming along the surface of Lake Erie.”

On the other hand, from the Southern Hemisphere, Omega Centauri appears much higher in the sky and is a glorious sight.

From the Southern Hemisphere, use the bright constellation Crux as a guide to find Centaurus and Omega Centauri.

Finding Omega Centauri from the Northern Hemisphere

If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere and want to spot this cluster, know that Omega Centauri can only be seen at certain times of the year. It’s best seen in the evening sky from the Northern Hemisphere late on April, May and June evenings.

So around mid-May, this wondrous star cluster is highest up and due south around 11 p.m. your local daylight saving time.

Then, by mid-June, Omega Centauri is highest up and due south around 10 p.m. your local daylight saving time.

Northern Hemisphere residents can see Omega Centauri from January through April as well, but they must be willing to stay up past midnight or get up before dawn.

Use the bright blue-white star Spica to locate the large Omega Centauri star cluster on Northern Hemisphere spring evenings. This chart shows the view from 35 degrees north latitude. Image via Stellarium.

Use the Big Dipper to find Spica

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, serves as your guide star to Omega Centauri. When Spica and Omega Centauri transit – appear due south and reach the highest point in the sky – they do so in unison. However, Omega Centauri transits about 35 degrees south of (or below) sparkling blue-white Spica. For reference, your fist at arm’s length approximates 10 degrees of sky. Find Spica by following the arc in the handle of the Big Dipper.

Use the Big Dipper to locate the stars Arcturus and Spica.

Use the search function in Stellarium-Web.org to locate sky objects as viewed from your location

It’s visible to the unaided eye

Generally, open clusters visible to the unaided eye are hundreds to a few thousand light-years away. In contrast, globular clusters are generally tens of thousands of light-years distant.

At about 16,000 light-years, Omega Centauri is one of the few of our galaxy’s 150 or so globular clusters that is visible to the unaided eye. It shines at +3.9 magnitude. It looks like a faint, fuzzy star, but Omega Centauri’s mere presence testifies to its size and brilliance. Like any globular cluster, Omega Centauri is best viewed with a telescope.

Omega Centauri’s position is at Right Ascension: 13h 26.8m; Declination: 47 degrees 29′ south.

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Scott Smith of Palmetto, Florida, captured this image on March 3 2025. Scott wrote: “Omega Centauri (NGC 5139 or Caldwell 80) is a globular cluster in the constellation of Centaurus. Located at a distance of 17,090 light-years, it is the largest known globular cluster in the Milky Way at a diameter of roughly 150 light-years. It is estimated to contain approximately 10 million stars, making it the most massive known globular cluster in the Milky Way.” Thank you, Scott!

Bottom line: The Milky Way’s largest globular star cluster, Omega Centauri, contains about 10 million stars. It’s visible from the Southern Hemisphere as well as parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

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Myanmar earthquake: Is this the first fault rupture on film?

A security camera captured the moment of the Myanmar earthquake of March 28, 2025, when the ground split as one plate slid past the other. Video via 2025 Sagaing Earthquake Archive.

Myanmar earthquake moment caught on video

This may be the first fault rupture ever caught on video. On March 28, 2025, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit the southeast Asian country of Myanmar. And a security camera for GP Energy Myanmar was rolling, capturing the moment when the Earth split. Geologists are sharing this video on Bluesky and expressing their amazement at everything this video captures.

There’s a lot to see in this video, and you likely won’t catch it all the first time. The most dramatic movement is when the entire landscape on the right side of the screen slides forward by several feet. Cracks appear in the driveway. A transmission tower topples. A water tank falls off a building. The ground between the two buildings at far left buckles and falls away. Potted plants along the drive go sliding past ones that are on the opposite side of the plate. A distant tree at top center jerks just before we see the movement in the land closer to the camera. A bird appears to make a hasty flight downward.

What else can you see in this video?

Movement along a strike-slip fault

The March earthquake occurred near the Sagaing Fault, a major fault line running through Myanmar. It’s where the Indian plate and Sunda plate meet. Where plates meet, they can move toward each other, away from each other, or slip past each other. This video provides clear evidence of the side-to-side movement of a strike-slip fault. One side of the land clearly moves past the other.

Earthquakes occur along strike-slip faults because pressure builds up between the two plates. The shearing forces eventually cause a block of Earth to shift. In the video here, we see the right side move laterally. So this is an example of a right-lateral strike-slip.

The San Andrea Fault is a strike-slip fault. In the book The Big Ones by seismologist Lucy Jones, she says the San Andreas fault has been worn so smooth that when the next earthquake hits there, there’s nothing to keep it from growing to a magnitude 7 or 8:

Someday, maybe tomorrow, maybe in a decade, probably in the lifetimes of many people reading this book, some point on the fault will lose its frictional grip and start to move. Once it does, the weak fault, with all that stored energy, will have no way of holding it back.

You can also see radar images from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites, which caught the before and after of the ground shift in Myanmar.

Where did this video come from?

An account called 2025 Sagaing Earthquake Archive found the video on Facebook and uploaded it to their YouTube page. The video was likely filmed at the Green Power Energy Solar Project in Tha Pyay Wa.

This small village is south of Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay. It would be in the vicinity of the epicenter of the March 28 earthquake.

Bottom line: A camera filmed a rare moment during the 7.7-magnitude Myanmar earthquake from March 28, 2025. It shows a fault rupture in the earth during the strike-slip movement.

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A security camera captured the moment of the Myanmar earthquake of March 28, 2025, when the ground split as one plate slid past the other. Video via 2025 Sagaing Earthquake Archive.

Myanmar earthquake moment caught on video

This may be the first fault rupture ever caught on video. On March 28, 2025, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit the southeast Asian country of Myanmar. And a security camera for GP Energy Myanmar was rolling, capturing the moment when the Earth split. Geologists are sharing this video on Bluesky and expressing their amazement at everything this video captures.

There’s a lot to see in this video, and you likely won’t catch it all the first time. The most dramatic movement is when the entire landscape on the right side of the screen slides forward by several feet. Cracks appear in the driveway. A transmission tower topples. A water tank falls off a building. The ground between the two buildings at far left buckles and falls away. Potted plants along the drive go sliding past ones that are on the opposite side of the plate. A distant tree at top center jerks just before we see the movement in the land closer to the camera. A bird appears to make a hasty flight downward.

What else can you see in this video?

Movement along a strike-slip fault

The March earthquake occurred near the Sagaing Fault, a major fault line running through Myanmar. It’s where the Indian plate and Sunda plate meet. Where plates meet, they can move toward each other, away from each other, or slip past each other. This video provides clear evidence of the side-to-side movement of a strike-slip fault. One side of the land clearly moves past the other.

Earthquakes occur along strike-slip faults because pressure builds up between the two plates. The shearing forces eventually cause a block of Earth to shift. In the video here, we see the right side move laterally. So this is an example of a right-lateral strike-slip.

The San Andrea Fault is a strike-slip fault. In the book The Big Ones by seismologist Lucy Jones, she says the San Andreas fault has been worn so smooth that when the next earthquake hits there, there’s nothing to keep it from growing to a magnitude 7 or 8:

Someday, maybe tomorrow, maybe in a decade, probably in the lifetimes of many people reading this book, some point on the fault will lose its frictional grip and start to move. Once it does, the weak fault, with all that stored energy, will have no way of holding it back.

You can also see radar images from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites, which caught the before and after of the ground shift in Myanmar.

Where did this video come from?

An account called 2025 Sagaing Earthquake Archive found the video on Facebook and uploaded it to their YouTube page. The video was likely filmed at the Green Power Energy Solar Project in Tha Pyay Wa.

This small village is south of Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay. It would be in the vicinity of the epicenter of the March 28 earthquake.

Bottom line: A camera filmed a rare moment during the 7.7-magnitude Myanmar earthquake from March 28, 2025. It shows a fault rupture in the earth during the strike-slip movement.

The post Myanmar earthquake: Is this the first fault rupture on film? first appeared on EarthSky.

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Here’s how fierce T. rex got to North America

EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd spoke with paleontologist Cass Morrison on Monday, May 12, about his new study showing that ancestors of T. rex came from Asia. He said they entered North America by crossing the Bering Strait into what’s now Alaska. And Deborah and Cass talked about a lot more besides, from dinosaur feathers to the incredibly long span of time that dinosaurs lived on Earth. It was fun! Watch in the player above, or on YouTube.

No hype. Just real science, powered by real people. That’s you.

• A new study suggests confirmation of a long debate, about whether Tyrannosaurus rex or T. rex had ancestors that migrated from Asia via a land bridge. The study suggests the answer is yes.
• We know that megaraptors did originate in Asia around 120 million years ago and spread globally, becoming apex predators in regions like Patagonia and Australia.
• The study also points to Tyrannosaurid and megaraptor large body sizes due to their ability to adapt to a cooling climate and the extinction of other top predators.

Tyrannosaurids and megaraptors were two types of carnivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous Period, 143 to 66 million years ago. T. rex is perhaps the most famous example of a Tyrannosaurid, and the best-known North American dinosaur. It lived during a 2-million-year period, 68 to 66 million years ago. Recently, scientists used advanced mathematical modeling to trace the evolutionary paths of these dinosaurs. The researchers confirmed that the ancestors of T. rex crossed into North America from Asia via a land bridge connecting the continents.

We know that T. rex was a huge creature and a fearsome predator. In their analysis, these researchers also found that both Tyrannosaurids and megaraptors attained large body sizes. The researchers said this happened as they adapted to a cooling climate, following a temperature spike some 92 million years ago. Also, as other predatory dinosaurs became extinct, the Tyrannosaurids and megaraptors had higher prey availability.

All in all, the study paints a fascinating history of dinosaur species evolving over a period of perhaps 150 million years.

These findings were published in Royal Society Open Science on May 7, 2025.

New study sheds light on T. rex origins

So the new study suggests that T. rex ancestors arrived from Asia over 70 million years ago, crossing a land bridge to enter western North America. The scientists also said that T. rex evolved in western North America, attaining a massive size during a time when the climate was cooling. This indicated that T. rex might have been warm blooded or might even had feathers for insulation. It’s possible that young T. rexes had feathers, which they then lost as they aged.

Cassius Morrison, the study’s lead author, said:

The geographic origin of T. rex is the subject of fierce debate. Paleontologists have been divided over whether its ancestor came from Asia or North America.

Our modelling suggests the ‘grandparents’ of T. rex likely came to North America from Asia, crossing the Bering Strait between what is now Siberia and Alaska.

This is in line with past research findings that the T. rex was more closely related to Asian cousins such as the Tarbosaurus than to North American relatives such as Daspletosaurus.

Dozens of T. rex fossils have been unearthed in North America, but our findings indicate that the fossils of T. rex’s direct ancestor may lie undiscovered still in Asia.

Mathematical models trace the origins of tyrannosaurid and megaraptor dinosaurs

Tyrannosaurids and megaraptors were both apex predators of the Cretaceous. Scientists think they diverged into separate evolutionary paths about 170 to 165 million years ago, long before T. rex came on the scene.

In this study, the researchers traced these dinosaurs’ evolutionary tracks across continents of the Cretaceous Period (143 to 66 million years ago). They ran advanced mathematical models using data on fossils from across the world. They also utilized dinosaur evolutionary trees, as well as information about the climate and geology of that time.

Their analysis revealed that megaraptors were more widespread across the globe than previously thought. These dinosaurs likely emerged in Asia about 120 million years ago. Then, they spread to Europe and to Gondwana, a large southern continent that includes present-day Africa, Antarctica, and South America.

For tyrannosaurids, the models supported previous research that said the ancestors of T. rex were present in both Asia and western North America. This indicated that T. rex’s ancestors originated in Asia. And they crossed into western North America across a land bridge connecting the two continents. Therefore, according to this study, T. rex most likely evolved in western North America.

Influence of climate, environment and geology on evolution

The study also showed how changes in climate, environment and geology shaped the evolution of tyrannosaurids and megaraptors.

About 92 million years ago, there was a peak in global climate temperatures known as the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum. As the planet cooled, tyrannosaurids and megaraptors evolved larger body sizes. For instance, about 66 million years ago, before all dinosaurs became extinct, T. rex weighed up to 10 US tons (9,000 kg). And megaraptors were up to 33 feet (10 meters) in length.

The scientists think that both dinosaur groups were able to grow so large in size because they could better adapt to a cooling planet. In addition, other large carnivorous dinosaurs, the carcharodontosaurids, became extinct as the climate cooled, providing an opening at the top of the food chain for tyrannosaurids and megaraptors.

Tyrannosaurid and megaraptor dinosaurs evolved large body sizes

Charlie Scherer, a paper co-author, commented on the size gain in T. rex:

Our findings have shined a light on how the largest tyrannosaurs appeared in North and South America during the Cretaceous and how and why they grew so large by the end of the age of dinosaurs.

They likely grew to such gigantic sizes to replace the equally giant carcharodontosaurid theropods that went extinct about 90 million years ago. This extinction likely removed the ecological barrier that prevented tyrannosaurs from growing to such sizes.

Another paper co-author, Mauro Aranciaga Rolando, added his insights into the megaraptors:

At the beginning of their evolutionary history, around 120 million years ago, megaraptors were part of a widespread and diverse dinosaur fauna.

As the Cretaceous period progressed and the continents that once formed Gondwana began to drift apart, these predators became increasingly specialized. This evolutionary shift led them to inhabit more specific environments.

While in regions like Asia megaraptors were eventually replaced by tyrannosaurs, in areas such as Australia and Patagonia they evolved to become apex predators, dominating their ecosystems.

An artist’s depiction of a T. rex, a tyrannosaurid species, attacking a hadrosaur dinosaur. Image via Pedro Salas and Sergey Krasovskiy / University College London.

Bottom line: A new study explains how tyrannosaurid and megaraptor dinosaurs attained large sizes, and that the ancestor of T. rex originated in Asia.

Source: Rise of the king: Gondwanan origins and evolution of megaraptoran dinosaurs

Via University College London

Read more: Rare juvenile T. rex discovered by young fossil hunters

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EarthSky’s Deborah Byrd spoke with paleontologist Cass Morrison on Monday, May 12, about his new study showing that ancestors of T. rex came from Asia. He said they entered North America by crossing the Bering Strait into what’s now Alaska. And Deborah and Cass talked about a lot more besides, from dinosaur feathers to the incredibly long span of time that dinosaurs lived on Earth. It was fun! Watch in the player above, or on YouTube.

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• A new study suggests confirmation of a long debate, about whether Tyrannosaurus rex or T. rex had ancestors that migrated from Asia via a land bridge. The study suggests the answer is yes.
• We know that megaraptors did originate in Asia around 120 million years ago and spread globally, becoming apex predators in regions like Patagonia and Australia.
• The study also points to Tyrannosaurid and megaraptor large body sizes due to their ability to adapt to a cooling climate and the extinction of other top predators.

Tyrannosaurids and megaraptors were two types of carnivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous Period, 143 to 66 million years ago. T. rex is perhaps the most famous example of a Tyrannosaurid, and the best-known North American dinosaur. It lived during a 2-million-year period, 68 to 66 million years ago. Recently, scientists used advanced mathematical modeling to trace the evolutionary paths of these dinosaurs. The researchers confirmed that the ancestors of T. rex crossed into North America from Asia via a land bridge connecting the continents.

We know that T. rex was a huge creature and a fearsome predator. In their analysis, these researchers also found that both Tyrannosaurids and megaraptors attained large body sizes. The researchers said this happened as they adapted to a cooling climate, following a temperature spike some 92 million years ago. Also, as other predatory dinosaurs became extinct, the Tyrannosaurids and megaraptors had higher prey availability.

All in all, the study paints a fascinating history of dinosaur species evolving over a period of perhaps 150 million years.

These findings were published in Royal Society Open Science on May 7, 2025.

New study sheds light on T. rex origins

So the new study suggests that T. rex ancestors arrived from Asia over 70 million years ago, crossing a land bridge to enter western North America. The scientists also said that T. rex evolved in western North America, attaining a massive size during a time when the climate was cooling. This indicated that T. rex might have been warm blooded or might even had feathers for insulation. It’s possible that young T. rexes had feathers, which they then lost as they aged.

Cassius Morrison, the study’s lead author, said:

The geographic origin of T. rex is the subject of fierce debate. Paleontologists have been divided over whether its ancestor came from Asia or North America.

Our modelling suggests the ‘grandparents’ of T. rex likely came to North America from Asia, crossing the Bering Strait between what is now Siberia and Alaska.

This is in line with past research findings that the T. rex was more closely related to Asian cousins such as the Tarbosaurus than to North American relatives such as Daspletosaurus.

Dozens of T. rex fossils have been unearthed in North America, but our findings indicate that the fossils of T. rex’s direct ancestor may lie undiscovered still in Asia.

Mathematical models trace the origins of tyrannosaurid and megaraptor dinosaurs

Tyrannosaurids and megaraptors were both apex predators of the Cretaceous. Scientists think they diverged into separate evolutionary paths about 170 to 165 million years ago, long before T. rex came on the scene.

In this study, the researchers traced these dinosaurs’ evolutionary tracks across continents of the Cretaceous Period (143 to 66 million years ago). They ran advanced mathematical models using data on fossils from across the world. They also utilized dinosaur evolutionary trees, as well as information about the climate and geology of that time.

Their analysis revealed that megaraptors were more widespread across the globe than previously thought. These dinosaurs likely emerged in Asia about 120 million years ago. Then, they spread to Europe and to Gondwana, a large southern continent that includes present-day Africa, Antarctica, and South America.

For tyrannosaurids, the models supported previous research that said the ancestors of T. rex were present in both Asia and western North America. This indicated that T. rex’s ancestors originated in Asia. And they crossed into western North America across a land bridge connecting the two continents. Therefore, according to this study, T. rex most likely evolved in western North America.

Influence of climate, environment and geology on evolution

The study also showed how changes in climate, environment and geology shaped the evolution of tyrannosaurids and megaraptors.

About 92 million years ago, there was a peak in global climate temperatures known as the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum. As the planet cooled, tyrannosaurids and megaraptors evolved larger body sizes. For instance, about 66 million years ago, before all dinosaurs became extinct, T. rex weighed up to 10 US tons (9,000 kg). And megaraptors were up to 33 feet (10 meters) in length.

The scientists think that both dinosaur groups were able to grow so large in size because they could better adapt to a cooling planet. In addition, other large carnivorous dinosaurs, the carcharodontosaurids, became extinct as the climate cooled, providing an opening at the top of the food chain for tyrannosaurids and megaraptors.

Tyrannosaurid and megaraptor dinosaurs evolved large body sizes

Charlie Scherer, a paper co-author, commented on the size gain in T. rex:

Our findings have shined a light on how the largest tyrannosaurs appeared in North and South America during the Cretaceous and how and why they grew so large by the end of the age of dinosaurs.

They likely grew to such gigantic sizes to replace the equally giant carcharodontosaurid theropods that went extinct about 90 million years ago. This extinction likely removed the ecological barrier that prevented tyrannosaurs from growing to such sizes.

Another paper co-author, Mauro Aranciaga Rolando, added his insights into the megaraptors:

At the beginning of their evolutionary history, around 120 million years ago, megaraptors were part of a widespread and diverse dinosaur fauna.

As the Cretaceous period progressed and the continents that once formed Gondwana began to drift apart, these predators became increasingly specialized. This evolutionary shift led them to inhabit more specific environments.

While in regions like Asia megaraptors were eventually replaced by tyrannosaurs, in areas such as Australia and Patagonia they evolved to become apex predators, dominating their ecosystems.

An artist’s depiction of a T. rex, a tyrannosaurid species, attacking a hadrosaur dinosaur. Image via Pedro Salas and Sergey Krasovskiy / University College London.

Bottom line: A new study explains how tyrannosaurid and megaraptor dinosaurs attained large sizes, and that the ancestor of T. rex originated in Asia.

Source: Rise of the king: Gondwanan origins and evolution of megaraptoran dinosaurs

Via University College London

Read more: Rare juvenile T. rex discovered by young fossil hunters

The post Here’s how fierce T. rex got to North America first appeared on EarthSky.

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