What Can Be Observed During A Solar Eclipse
As the annual eclipse approaches, the best way to experience the different parts of the eclipse is to be ready with the proper viewing equipment. Staring directly at the Sun during an eclipse is dangerous, so we must find safe ways to observe it. Looking at it directly through an unfiltered camera or telescope provides […]
What Is A Subtropical Storm?
Subtropical storms in the Atlantic Basin can occur one or more times each hurricane season and are a mix of two different, familiar storm types. To explain subtropical storms, we need to start by explaining these two different storm types with which subtropical storms share some characteristics. Type 1: Tropical Storms: Tropical storms, or more broadly, […]
Why Aren’t All Beach Houses Built On Stilts?
Who Decides If A Home Should Be Built Elevated Or Not? How high a home needs to be off the ground in coastal areas is guided by base flood elevation, a metric used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to measure and map flood risk. But experts have been warning for years that FEMA’s flood risk […]
Two supermoons in August mean double the stargazing fun
Catch the first show Tuesday evening as the full moon rises in the southeast, appearing slightly brighter and bigger than normal. The cosmos is offering up a double feature in August: a pair of supermoons culminating in a rare blue moon. Catch the first show Tuesday evening as the full moon rises in the southeast, […]
Why Have Some South Carolina Beaches Had Such Beautiful Blue Water Lately?
The waters along South Carolina’s Grand Strand have been a gorgeous blue as of late, prompting some visitors to make comparisons to the Caribbean. It’s called the blue water phenomenon — waters are clearer due to a lack of storms. Water temperatures play a role in the water’s color as well. Oceans Are Changing Colors, […]
NOAA Launches New, More Accurate Hurricane Forecast Model
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) launched a new model for hurricane forecasts this season called the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS). According to a press release, HAFS is as good at forecasting storm intensity as existing NOAA models but is better at predicting rapid intensification. The model is also 10%-15% better at […]
Webb Space Telescope spots most distant black hole yet — and more may be lurking
Detected in February, this particular black hole is active and actually puny as they go — equivalent to about 9 million times the mass of our sun. Astronomers have discovered the most distant black hole yet using the Webb Space Telescope, but that record isn’t expected to last. The black hole is at the center of a […]
Northern lights unlikely to be seen across U.S. despite early forecast
A projection indicated the northern lights could be visible this week in more than a dozen states. It was updated Monday evening to show only modest auroral activity. The northern lights may light up skies at high latitudes this week, though likely not in cities in the lower 48 states, as previously forecast. An early […]
Can Extreme Heat Affect Your Car?
When there’s a heat wave, more vehicle breakdowns tend to happen. Hot summers mean battery failures, air conditioning repairs, tire replacements and a higher demand for emergency roadside assistance. So, proper summer vehicle maintenance is key to avoiding these heat-related issues. But why does heat cause so many problems for your car? Well, for starters, […]