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Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

Global Warming Predictions

Explanation: How much will the Earth's surface warm up over the lives of our children? No one is sure. Compared to the past 100 million years, the Earth is currently enduring a relative cold spell , possibly about four degrees Celsius below average. Over the past 100 years, however, data indicate the average global temperature of the Earth has increased by nearly one degree Celsius . Few disagree that recent global warming is occurring, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) has concluded that we humans have created a warming surge that is likely to continue. A future temperature increase like that shown on the above predictive map may cause sea levels to rise , precipitation patterns to change, and much pole ice to melt. The result could impact many local agricultures and the global economy . Geoengineering projects that might include artificial cloud creation might reduce the amount of warming sunlight that reaches the Earth 's surface.

Date April 21, 2009
Credit Credit & Copyright: Robert A. Rohde , Global Warming Art
Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U.