NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) announced on Aug. 27, 2012, that the ice cap covering the Arctic Ocean is now smaller than ever recorded since consistent satellite measurements of the ice began more than three decades ago. Each year, the ice cap goes through a shrink-and-swell cycle, melting throughout the summer months before expanding through fall and winter. In the past decade in particular the minimum summertime extent of the ice cap has shown a consistent decline in size – a trend closely linked with the Arctic's warming climate. NASA and NSIDC scientists said the extent of Arctic sea ice on Aug. 26 surpassed the previous record minimum extent set in the summer of 2007. The ice cap will continue to melt and get smaller in the coming weeks before temperatures get colder and ice begins to refreeze as fall approaches.
To read more go to: 1.usa.gov/PkgRuq
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Caption: Sunsets started to tease the Arctic horizon as scientists on board the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy headed south in the Chukchi Sea during the final days collecting ocean data for the 2011 ICESCAPE mission.
The ICESCAPE mission, or "Impacts of Climate on Ecosystems and Chemistry of the Arctic Pacific Environment," is a NASA shipborne investigation to study how changing conditions in the Arctic affect the ocean's chemistry and ecosystems. The bulk of the research took place in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas in summer 2010 and 2011. Credit: NASA/Kathryn Hansen
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.
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((sawa)), blieusong, and 136 other people added this photo to their favorites.
dodagp 13 months ago | reply
Glorious scape,magical sunset illusions and golden glow !!!!
Love the halo surrounding the luminous disk !!!!!
ArlindoCarvalho 13 months ago | reply
Gorgeous.
jaffles 13 months ago | reply
Wonderful colors!
█ fo112 █ 13 months ago | reply
very Nice!
looking4poetry 13 months ago | reply
Olafur Eliasson "The Weather Project"?
- nope real life ^^!
مصطفى البرنس 12 months ago | reply
very nice
ksjaycat 12 months ago | reply
Beautiful!
Seastars world 12 months ago | reply
great!
me-graphy 12 months ago | reply
fantastic work! :)
FermezVosEtPrenezUne 12 months ago | reply
Misspelled "sunset" in the photo caption.
bugivugel 11 months ago | reply
beautiful :))
nickweilbach 3 months ago | reply
Nice photo. Used on Scientific American: www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=arctic-melting-...