Biographies and Interviews
An Earth Observatory Collection
"It took me 20 years to get to the level I should have been hired at, but that doesn't change…
With the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season approaching its peak, a NASA meteorologist explores the key questions in hurricane research.
Working with basic researchers, engineers, and applied scientists--and a dozen satellite sensors—Michael Goodman helps assemble and coordinate NASA's response to…
NASA scientist Dalia Kirschbaum talks about the potential for a global inventory of rain-triggered landslides to help scientists better understand…
NASA interviews Larry Hinzman, director of the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska, about greenhouse gases trapped…
Solar physicist Judith Lean talks about solar cycles and what scientists have learned about solar variability in the last three…
Dr. Joanne Simpson (1923–2010) pores over reams of images of tropical clouds filmed during flights across the tropical Pacific. The…
Nadine Unger, a climatologist with NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City, spoke with NASA's Earth Science…
Gavin Schmidt, a climatologist at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York City, studies why and how…
William Smith discovered that he could identify rock layers by the unique fossils they held. His discovery helped later generations…
Although he lived at a time when people believed in witches and unicorns, Nicolaus Steno established some of the most…
Joanne Simpson became the first woman Ph.D. meteorologist. She also pioneered studies of cloud models, hurricanes, weather modification, and guided…
Few books have altered the course of history — Silent Spring was one of them. The tidal wave of protest…
Using a unique combination of determination, hard work, inspiration, and those freshman physics, Suomi became known as the "father of…
John Martin devoted his career to understanding the basic chemical processes that govern life in the ocean. His famous "iron…
Wernher von Braun's crowning achievement, as head of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, was to direct the mission to land…
Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift - the idea that the Earth's continents move over hundreds of millions…
Robert Goddard developed and test-launched some of the first liquid fueled rockets.
Vilhelm Bjerknes is considered by many to be one of the founders of modern meteorology and weather forecasting.
Roger Revelle was one of the world's most articulate spokesmen for science and an early predictor of global warming.
Samuel Langley was one of America's most accomplished scientists. His work as an astronomy, physics, and aeronautics pioneer was highly…
