With cold, clear skies come sundogs and light pillars, brightening Alaska’s winter
Sundogs become visible if the crystals fall when the sun is low on the horizon and both the viewer and ice crystals are on the same horizontal plane as the sun.
Science
The physics of slapshots and mid-ice collisions
When two NHL hockey players collide, their pads and body tissues can absorb enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for a minute and a half.
One scientist’s plan to keep the carbon in Alaska forests
Scientist estimates a significant increase in number of firefighters in the state could reduce the acres burned by 60%.
Survey shows continuing population decline for Cook Inlet belugas
A biennial NOAA survey in 2018 estimated the population of the white whales at 250 to 317.
NASA prepares to launch rocket from Alaska’s Poker Flat range
The launch window for the annual winter experiment north of Fairbanks opens Sunday and runs for nearly two weeks.
'Active mass movements’ are increasing along the Denali Park road — and may bury it
“The movements are increasing on the road, leading to a greater likelihood of major landslides."
Massive die-off of Pacific seabirds linked to a warm-water ‘blob’
New research shows the marine heat wave that spread from California to Alaska starting in 2014 caused common murres to starve to death.
Voyagers to the ‘epicenter of global warming’ struggle with storms, polar bears and thin ice
Returnees from the first leg of a yearlong expedition bring back stories of a polar icescape that is far less stable than anything they’d experienced before.
Putting the focus on Alaska at a conference with thousands of scientists
From changes in Hubbard Glacier to the Bright Stars program, Alaska science was showcased at the annual American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting.
The physics of 40 below
Everything from the human body to vehicle exhaust reacts differently when the temperature dips to extreme levels.
The Alaska blackfish is in a class of its own
This evolutionary loner will tough it out in conditions other fish can’t handle.
Alaska could soon lose dozens of earthquake sensors if funding isn’t secured
The Transportable Array Network of seismic monitoring stations was meant to be temporary. But they can contribute to safer building decisions, monitor wildfires and even detect nuclear weapons testing.
Feeling SAD? Seasonal affective disorder rears its yearly head in Alaska.
From light therapy to regular exercise, there are ways to deal with the darkness.
The darkest days of winter are here. Happy lights might help.
To combat seasonal affective disorder, some Alaskans seek light therapy.
The demise of Scotch Cap lighthouse
A 130-foot wave struck the lighthouse following an 8.1-magnitude earthquake in spring 1946.
Look up, Alaska. This week’s aurora forecast is promising.
There’s likely to be good aurora visibility over much of Alaska on Wednesday and Thursday night, if the clouds part.
Dillingham woman chosen to name star and exoplanet
Ivory Adajar of the Curyung Tribal Council won an International Astronomical Union competition by submitting the names of rivers in the Bristol Bay region.
Sea ice experts from Nome and Unalakleet share what they’re seeing with scientists
If the scientists are right about the interconnectedness of the world’s systems, the warming north will soon touch many more people.
Stronger winds in store for Northwest Alaska in coming decades, scientists say
As sea ice recedes, coastal communities are more at risk for the damaging effects of wind.
Mount Redoubt’s eruption 30 years ago changed how we monitor volcanoes around the world
What happened during Mount Redoubt’s eruption helped make the Alaska Volcano Observatory what it is today.