EarthSpeak Series - NASA Sees Earth From Orbit: 2013

NASA Sees Earth From Orbit: 2013

http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-sees-earth-from-orbit-2013-0/#.U1y2KfldX9z

April 21, 2014

A fleet of orbiting satellites monitors Earth constantly. The satellites from NASA and other space agencies give us a fresh, wide perspective on things that we can see from the ground – and things that we can’t.

A look back at Earth in 2013 from the viewpoint of orbit reveals the kind of data gathering and technical achievement that are the reason NASA puts Earth-observing satellites in space. A visualization of satellite and computer model data shows how a cloud of dust from the Chelyabinsk meteor moved around the world. NASA satellites measured the intensity of wildfires, the salinity of the oceans and rainfall around the globe – whether it was too little or too much.

Satellites also helped bring us discovery – like the “mega-canyon,” longer than the Grand Canyon, found under a mile of Greenland ice. Meanwhile, far from the world’s ice sheets, scientists used a new technique to measure the fluorescence of plants. The visualized result shows a glowing world that is both awe-inspiring and instructive.

The satellite view of Earth allows for everything from the terrifying to the peaceful. Satellites gave us imagery of typhoon Usagi rapidly intensifying and they gave us humbling images of a storm that spawned tornadoes in Oklahoma. Satellites also showed us how the seasons change, and how the world looks from above, on the International Space Station, as the Earth spins and night turns to day.

NASA works to better understand and protect our home planet. Our data and research helps improve environmental prediction and prepare for natural hazards and climate change. In 2014, five NASA missions are launching to space – the most active year for NASA Earth science in more than a decade.

To learn more about NASA’s Earth science in 2014, please visit: www.nasa.gov/earthrightnow

NASA Sees Earth From Orbit: 2013

A highlight reel of some of the best images and data visualizations

of the planet in 2013 from NASA and partner agency satellites

Five new NASA Earth science missions are launching

in 2014 to expand our understanding of Earth’s changing

climate and environment.

NASA's "Earth Right Now" website

Dune movement around Aorounga, Chad

Close-up of flooding in Mozambique

Alaska's Pavlof volcano seen erupting in 2013

NASA | Earth from Orbit 2013

 

NASA Goddard·741 videos

Published on Apr 21, 2014

A fleet of orbiting satellites monitors Earth constantly. The satellites from NASA and other space agencies give us a fresh, wide perspective on things that we can see from the ground -- and things that we can't.

A look back at Earth in 2013 from the viewpoint of orbit reveals the kind of data gathering and technical achievement that are the reason NASA puts Earth-observing satellites in space. A visualization of satellite and computer model data shows how a cloud of dust from the Chelyabinsk meteor moved around the world. NASA satellites measured the intensity of wildfires, the salinity of the oceans and rainfall around the globe -- whether it was too little or too much.
To learn more about NASA's Earth science in 2014, please visit: www.nasa.gov/earthrightnow

Imagery used in this video, in order:
Views of a Distant Earth
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD...

Earth and Moon
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/...

Current Earth Observing Fleet
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a030000/...

Term3_ISS From Night to Day to Night Again
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/Videos/CrewEa...

Astronaut View of Fires in Colorado
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Natu...

Extensive Ice Fractures in the Beaufort Sea
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD...

Dune Movement Around Aorounga
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD...

San Francisco Region at Night
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD...

Whiting Event, Lake Ontario
http://earth.jsc.nasa.gov/debrief/ISS...

Dust Plumes over the Mediterranean
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Natu...

Mt. St. Helens
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD...

El Paso
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD...

Close-Up of Flooding in Mozambique
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD...

Drought Dries Elephant Butte Reservoir
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD...

Oklahoma Tornadoes
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Natu...

Floods in Colorado
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Natu...

Pavlof Volcano
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Natu...

Swirling Sediment Reveals Erosive Power of New England Storm
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD...

Never at Rest: The Air over Los Angeles
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/...

Measuring Soil Moisture from Space
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a030000/...

Antarctic Bedrock
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/...

Seeing Photosynthesis from Space
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/...

Greenland's Mega Canyon
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/...

Chelyabinsk Bolide Plume as seen by NPP and NASA Models
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/...

Narrated Distributed Water Balance of the Nile Basin
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/...

NEO Observations (various)
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/advs...

This video is public domain and can be downloaded at:http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/goto?11525

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Planet Earth At a Glance

Planet Earth At a Glance

Nine Myths about Hinduism Debunked

Hinduism

9 myths about Hinduism — debunked

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/25/9-myths-about-hinduism-debunked/

By Moni Basu, CNN Belief Blob

April 25, 2014

Suhag Shukla knows that’s how some people outside Hinduism see her religion. As the head of the Hindu American Foundation, Shukla, 42, clarifies misconceptions all the time.

Hinduism is ancient, though there is no specific date for when it was formed. The name is a Sanskrit word; Hinduism and Hindu were coined by invaders who used the terms to refer to the people they encountered when they crossed the Hindu Kush mountains and arrived at the Indus River.

In America, Hinduism’s profile was elevated by Indian immigrants who brought their customs and rituals with them and perhaps most recently, by the growing popularity of Hindu teachings like yoga and meditation.

Hinduism is the world’s oldest living religion and the third largest – behind Christianity and Islam – with more than 1 billion followers. Some argue that Hinduism is more a way of life than religion. It has no common creed or church. Nor is it based on the teachings of a founder or holy book.

And it remains a mystery for many.

Myth No. 1: There are 330 million Hindu gods.

Reality: There is one supreme God that cannot be fully known or understood.

Hindus are encouraged to relate to God in the way that suits them best, like worshipping many deities who are believed to be manifestations of God. The trimurtior three main deities are Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver; and Shiva, the destroyer. That’s why Hinduism is often thought of as polytheistic. It is not.

But there’s debate on the proper terminology for Hinduism. Some call it a monistic religion, derived from the belief that everything in the universe is part of one substance or nature. Some, including Shukla, say Hindusim is henotheistic, which is the worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods. Others, say it is monotheistic.

Myth No. 2: Hindus are idol worshippers.

Reality: Hindus worship a reminder of God.

No Hindu will say he or she is worshipping an idol. Instead, Hindus believe a physical representation of God – in the form of an idol - helps them focus on an aspect of prayer or meditation. For instance, a person who has just opened up a new business may worship Ganesh, the elephant god who represents success.

Myth No. 3: Hindus worship cows.

Reality: Hindus do not pray to cows but they do regard all creation and all life as sacred.

Hindus believe every living thing has a soul. It is true, however, that cows hold a special place in Hindu society. That’s why Hindus refrain from eating beef. Cows are seen as gentle, maternal figures that are providers of milk and other forms of sustenance. They are honored for their value.

Myth No. 4: All Hindus are vegetarians.

Reality: A majority of Hindus eat meat.

But about 30 percent do not. That stems from a fundamental belief in ahimsa, the principle of non-violence. Since all living things are manifestations of God, violence against them is considered contrary to the natural balance of the universe.

Tourists flock to Varanasi to experience its intense spirituality. Many tour the Ganges River to witness
the activities along the city's ghats, the wide steps that lead to the water. - Hotel Death by CNN

Myth No. 5: Hinduism supports a discriminatory caste system.

Reality: Caste discrimination is rooted not in religion but culture.

Caste was an ancient system of occupational class delineated in Hindu texts that over the years developed into a rigid social hierarchy. The lowest castes, or untouchables, were marginalized and faced persecution. But many modern Hindus have argued that caste-based discrimination is not intrinsic to Hinduism and should not be thought of as religiously sanctioned.

Myth No. 6: Women are subservient in Hinduism.

Reality: Not because of religion.

Actually, one attribute that differentiates Hinduism from say, Christianity or Islam, is that it recognizes forms of god as feminine. Hindus revere Shakti, or the personification of God's energy through a female figure.

Some of the most commonly worshipped goddesses are Parvati, a primary form of Shakti; Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom; and Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity.

Women in India may not be equal with men but again, that is not because of religion but culture, [in addition to people in general] using religion to keep women down. This is akin, perhaps, to Islamic societies forcing women to cover up from head to toe.

“I don’t think there is a basis to disregard women in our religion,” Shukla says. “The Vedas (scripture) don’t give those instructions.”

Myth No. 7: Hindu women wearing ‘red dots’ on their foreheads are married.

Reality: Sometimes.

A red dot was once a symbol of marriage for Hindu women. Today, the dot, or bindi, is largely decorative. Girls and women – married and single - wear bindis of all colors as fashion statements.

Myth No. 8: The Bhagavad Gita is like the Bible.

Reality: There is not one central, authoritative book in Hinduism.

But Hinduism is rich in scripture with a vast collection of ancient religious writings. Hindus believe god revealed truths to wise men who passed them on for thousands of years through a rich oral tradition. The scriptures include the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas and the Bhagavad Gita, or Song of God.

Part of the epic tale, Mahabharata, the 700-verse Gita is the world’s longest poem and takes the form of a dialog on a battlefield between a prince, Arjuna, and Krishna. It captures the core beliefs of Hinduism but not all Hindus read the Gita.

Myth No. 9: Karma is fatalistic.

Reality: Everyone has the ability to choose life’s actions.

This is the theory behind karma: for every action a person sets in motion, there is a corresponding reaction. Hindus believe they have to face the consequences of past actions. Each person creates his or her destiny with deeds. The ultimate goal is to have karma that will free a soul and gain moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Sources: Hindu-American Foundation, Hinduism Today, and Vasudha Narayanan, associate editor of Brill’s Encyclopedia of Hinduism

for further reference - 

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism