NASA Announces Press Conferences At AGU Meeting

Elvia Thompson
Headquarters, Washington December 8, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-1696)

Krishna Ramanujan/Rob Gutro at AGU
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
(Phone: 607/273-2561/301/286-4044)
(AGU Press Phone: 415/905-1007)

NOTE TO EDITORS: 03-n137

NASA ANNOUNCES PRESS CONFERENCES AT AGU MEETING

NASA researchers will present findings on various topics
at the American Geophysical Union Meeting at the Moscone
Convention Center (MCC), San Francisco, December 8-12.

THE MARTIAN CLIMATE, AS SEEN BY MARS ODYSSEY
Odyssey's sensors have measured the movement of carbon dioxide
as it accumulates as frost at the winter poles and evaporates
during the spring. Intriguing images of this dry ice will be
shown. The Odyssey camera has obtained the most detailed map
yet of the south Polar Regions. Measurements of water ice in
the soil suggest a complex layering, indicating recent global
climate change. Enigmatic hydrogen deposits at warm mid-
latitudes will be discussed. Results from the radiation
monitoring experiment show the level of radiation hazard that
Mars-bound astronauts may face, including that from intense
solar activity recently measured by the instrument. Press
conference: Monday, December 8, noon EST. The associated
session, P21A, is Tuesday, 11 a.m. EST in Room MCC 3002.

A SEASON IN THE LIFE OF THE ANTARCTIC OZONE HOLE
NASA's Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) instruments
have been looking at ozone and making daily maps of the ozone
content of the atmosphere. TOMS data has shown the evolution
of the 'ozone hole' since 1979. This instrument was an
essential factor in establishing international agreements that
led to the banning of ozone destroying chlorofluorocarbons.
Press conference: Monday, December 8, 4 p.m. EST. The
associated sessions, A11A, A11G, begin on today at 11 a.m. EST
in Room MCC 3018. Poster Session A21D is Tuesday, December 9,
11:30 a.m. EST on MCC Level 2.

NASA MISSION TO JUPITER'S ICY MOONS
NASA's Project Prometheus is developing plans for the Jupiter
Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO). It will orbit Callisto, Ganymede and
Europa, the three planet-size moons of Jupiter that have
ingredients necessary for life: water, energy and necessary
chemicals. JIMO will be the first spacecraft powered by
nuclear electric propulsion. Press conference: Monday,
December 8, 5 p.m. EST. The associated session, P11C, is
Monday, December 8, 1:20 p.m. EST in Room MCC 3009.

ICESAT CAPTURES EARTH IN 3-D
NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) is
sending home spectacular 3-D views of Earth's polar ice
sheets, clouds, mountains, forestlands and even fires, all to
help scientists understand how our changing climate affects
life on Earth. Press conference: Tuesday, December 9, 6 p.m.
EST. Special sessions C31A and C31D detail these results on
Wednesday, December 10, at 11 a.m. EST in Room MCC 3010.

EARTH'S COLLAPSING DIPOLE
Earth's dipole field has decreased over the past 150 years at
a rate greater than if flow in the outer core were to suddenly
stop. The trend has far-reaching implications, ranging from
the potential for more extensive radiation damage to
satellites, to the possibility the field is heading toward
reversal. Atmospheric changes are known to result from
variations in solar activity, and thus should be expected if
the dipole decrease persists. Discussions include what would
happen to the atmosphere if there were an extremely large
solar proton event caused by a large-scale solar storm during
the time when Earth's magnetic field is low. Press conference:
Thursday, December 11, at noon EST. The associated session is
U42A, at 4:40 p.m. EST, Thursday, December 11 in Room MCC
3001-3003.

EARTH'S CLIMATE OVER THE PAST MILLENNIUM
Using the perspective of the past few millennia, speakers will
discuss the latest research involving climate reconstructions
and different models. Discussions include how researchers used
a climate model that included solar radiation changes,
volcanic eruptions, and natural internal variability to arrive
at a more accurate look at Earth's changing climate. Press
conference: Tuesday, December 9, 5 p.m. EST. The associated
session, PP51, begins at 11 a.m. EST, on Friday, December 12,
in Room MCC 3004.

HOW URBANIZATION IS IMPACTING CLIMATE
Scientists estimate by 2025, 60 percent of the world's
population will live in cities. The urban environment can
impact several aspects of the natural Earth system. This press
conference will highlight some of the impact of urbanization
on climate change including temperature changes, rainfall
modification, and aerosol constituents. The press conference
is Thursday, December 11 at 6 p.m. EST. Associated sessions:
U51A on Friday, December 12 at 11 a.m. EST in Room MCC 3001-
3003 and U51C on Friday December 12 at 1:20 p.m. EST in Room
MCC 3001-3003.


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