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Earth
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From the skies above to the ocean depths and all the land in between, we publish the latest in meteorological research on the most pressing issues surrounding climate change. The Earth is a wonderful place; so much has been studied yet so much remains unknown. Modern Sciences showcases the latest in news and featured pieces about the little blue dot in the universe that we call “home.”
Less snow, more rain in store for the Arctic, study finds
Rain falls in Sarek National Park, in Sweden. (Shutterstock) Michelle McCrystall, University of Manitoba The Arctic is often…
Ghost islands of the Arctic: The world’s ‘northern-most island’ isn’t the first to be erased from the map
These ‘islands’ are on the move. Martin Nissen Kevin Hamilton, University of Hawaii In 2021, an expedition off…
Explainer: what happens when magnetic north and true north align?
Very rarely, depending on where you are in the world, your compass can actually point to true north.…
Winter solstice: the astronomy of Christmas
Stonehenge sun. Gareth Dorrian, Nottingham Trent University and Ian Whittaker, Nottingham Trent University From the Neolithic to present…
How the Earth’s tilt creates short, cold January days
The Sun rises in Midland, Michigan, shortly after 8a.m. on Jan. 13, 2017. Christian Collins/Flickr, CC BY-SA Deanna…
Citizen scientists discover new type of aurora
The aurora Steve. Rémi Farvacque/Alberta Aurora Chasers (facebook) Nathan Case, Lancaster University A collaboration between aurora-hunting citizen scientists…
Do the northern lights make sounds that you can hear?
John A Davis/Shutterstock Fiona Amery, University of Cambridge It’s a question that has puzzled observers for centuries: do…
Are the northern lights caused by ‘particles from the Sun’? Not exactly
PhotoVisions/Shutterstock Alexander MacKinnon, University of Glasgow What a spectacle a big aurora is, its shimmering curtains and colourful…
How is snowfall measured? A meteorologist explains how volunteers tally up winter storms
Strict rules guide the official count for how much solid precipitation fell. Photos by Vesuviante/Moment via Getty Images…
Snowfall in the Sahara desert: an unusual weather phenomenon
Snowfall in the Sahara desert. derdour rachid/Shutterstock Jasper Knight, University of the Witwatersrand Snowfall in a hot desert…