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Atmospheric Research 2021 Technical Highlights

Welcome to the 2021 Atmospheres Highlights report. Here, we summarize research and scientific communication/outreach accomplishments from the portion of atmospheric science activities at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) that comprises the Earth Science Division’s Atmospheres organization. As in previous years, this report is intended for a broad audience, including colleagues within NASA, scientists outside the Agency, science graduate students, and members of the public. Organizationally, the report covers research activities under the Office of Deputy Director for Atmospheres (610AT), which is within Earth Sciences Division (Code 610) in the Sciences and Exploration Directorate (600). Laboratories and office within 610AT include: Mesoscale Atmospheric Processes Laboratory (612), Climate and Radiation Laboratory (613), Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory (614), and the Wallops Field Support Office (610.W). As of this writing, the 266 personnel in Code 610AT consist of 53 civil servants and 213 cooperative agreement associates, postdoctoral fellows and contractors.

Annual Report↗

Data Sharing in Radiobiology; Towards FAIR

The value of scientific data depends on their findability, accessibility, integrability and reusability according to the FAIR principles. Together with the sustainability of data preservation and access, these principles underpin the long term benefits of scientific research. Within the domain of radiobiology we have a huge array of data types, themes and complexities which make standardisation of metadata, data structure and data integration very challenging. Moreover, it is clear that, for example, in the area of disaster preparedness, the ready discovery and availability of multiple types of data, for example on biological effects of exposure, climatology, ecology, human behavioural and attitudinal studies, is important for an integrated scientific approach. Because these data are spread over many databases, journal supplementary information resources and even the computers of the investigators, their discovery and reuse can be challenging. Despite exhortations from funding agencies and scientific institutions over the past two decades there is still a serious deficit in the willingness and in some cases the ability of investigators to share data, and although much may not be formally „Public domain“, information about the existence of the data, their metadata, and how to obtain them should always be available. We report the progress of work on three databases, the STORE and the NASA GeneLab and LSDA repositories to leverage the Radiation Biology Ontology (RBO), a structured terminology for metadata that can be used by all radiation biology-relevant databases to unite federated and automated data searches across multiple databases, for example using web services, and through semantic web technologies supporting data discovery. The initial primary use-cases for RBO were archiving data in the STORE database (https://www.storedb.org/), the repository used for the RadoNorm and Pianoforte Projects among others, and in the NASA Open Science Data Repository (https://osdr.nasa.gov/bio). The scope of radiobiology research ranges from basic physics to radiation oncology to sociolegal studies; no existing ontology had the necessary breadth or depth to fulfill this need. In addition, a formal ontology has the advantage of being usable for machine learning and, importantly, for tasks like data integration, knowledge extraction from the scientific literature and for query extension and data classification. Standardisation of metadata is one of the primary objectives of the FAIR principles for open data; RBO is an important landmark for FAIR-compliant radiation biology data sharing. The RBO is developed using the open-source tools of GitHub and the OBO Foundry-led Ontology Development Kit, and published through GitHub and the NIH/NCBI BioPortal website. This initial phase of concept modeling has yielded an ontology that has more than 300 declared concepts, with more than 3500 additional concepts imported from other OBO Foundry ontologies with relevance to radiation biology (for example, concepts from the ISO standard Basic Formal Ontology, the Environment Ontology and the Gene Ontology). We welcome input into the development of RBO and encourage its adoption.

ontologies↗

Open Science for Plants in Space: Data Sharing, Standards, and Informatics for Reuse and Knowledge Discovery

Upcoming deep space missions rely on plants and crops for crew and ecosystem health. Access to space plant data enables scientists to gain a deeper understanding of biological responses to ionizing radiation, altered gravity, low atmospheric pressure, elevated CO2, and altered photoperiods. Open Science is the practice of making research available to all, while respecting diverse cultures, fostering collaborations with equity. 2023 is the ‘Year of Open Science’, and NASA has a 5-year Transform to Open Science (TOPS) mission designed to rapidly transform the agency toward an inclusive culture of open science. NASA’s Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) developed by NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division provides access to data from space-relevant biological experiments. OSDR combines two databases, GeneLab and Ames Life Sciences Data Archive (ALSDA) to maximize access to standardized ‘omics (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics) and phenotypic data (e.g., microscopy, biomass), respectively. OSDR started in 2014 with the creation of the first space-relevant FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) biological ‘omics repository (GeneLab), providing detailed metadata on investigation, sample, and assay levels. Today, GeneLab hosts 62 plant datasets which have led to 5 published peer-reviewed meta-analysis publications. Most of these publications were collaboration efforts under the OSDR Analysis Working Groups (AWGs). AWGs provide great opportunities for investigators to collaborate and set new standards for space-relevant data and metadata. The AWGs are welcoming any ASPB members interested in providing plant expertise for space biology. The addition of ALSDA to OSDR is also expanding analysis capability beyond ‘omics. Now is the time to get involved as a Subject Matter Expert as we establish the framework for modern plant data archiving through the AWGs. Investigators are invited to submit their space-relevant plant datasets to OSDR and visit the site to learn about the tools OSDR has to offer (osdr.nasa.gov/bio).

FAIR↗

The Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health Newsletter

Welcome to the April 2023 issue of the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) Newsletter! Along with the familiar subjects in previous issues, this issue will introduce two new sections: Clinic Corner, where Dr. Tim LaVan shares a brief status of the Flight Medicine Clinic, and Formers Corner, where we share images and captions submitted by you and your fellow crewmates!

Tim Lavan↗

Empowering Open Science with the Science Discovery Engine

: This presentation will describe the work to date in building the SDE as well as what the team has learned about the SMD ecosystem, information curation, and data governance. A short demonstration of the SDE will be presented, and an overview of near- and long-term goals for future development will be shared. Community feedback will be welcomed about the interface, content, and other features to help inform actions to maximize the SDE’s performance and usability. Whether users aim to discover Earth-like atmospheres on planets outside of our solar system or better understand the impacts of solar energy on our own planet, the Science Discovery Engine provides a means for scientists and all curious individuals to find content to further their understanding of science across all time and space scales.

Emily Foshee↗

Data Sharing in Radiation Biology: Towards FAIR

The value of scientific data depends on their findability, accessibility, integrability and reusability according to the FAIR principles. Together with the sustainability of data preservation and access, these principles underpin the long term benefits of scientific research. Within the domain of radiobiology we have a huge array of data types, themes and complexities which make standardisation of metadata, data structure and data integration very challenging. Moreover, it is clear that, for example, in the area of disaster preparedness, the ready discovery and availability of multiple types of data, for example on biological effects of exposure, climatology, ecology, human behavioural and attitudinal studies, is important for an integrated scientific approach. Because these data are spread over many databases, journal supplementary information resources and even the computers of the investigators, their discovery and reuse can be challenging. Despite exhortations from funding agencies and scientific institutions over the past two decades there is still a serious deficit in the willingness and in some cases the ability of investigators to share data, and although much may not be formally "Public domain“, information about the existence of the data, their metadata, and how to obtain them should always be available. We report the progress of work on three databases, the STORE and the NASA GeneLab and LSDA repositories to leverage the Radiation Biology Ontology (RBO), a structured terminology for metadata that can be used by all radiation biology-relevant databases to unite federated and automated data searches across multiple databases, for example using web services, and through semantic web technologies supporting data discovery. The initial primary use-cases for RBO were archiving data in the STORE database (https://www.storedb.org/), the repository used for the RadoNorm and Pianoforte Projects among others, and in the NASA Open Science Data Repository (https://osdr.nasa.gov/bio). The scope of radiobiology research ranges from basic physics to radiation oncology to sociolegal studies; no existing ontology had the necessary breadth or depth to fulfill this need. In addition, a formal ontology has the advantage of being usable for machine learning and, importantly, for tasks like data integration, knowledge extraction from the scientific literature and for query extension and data classification. Standardisation of metadata is one of the primary objectives of the FAIR principles for open data; RBO is an important landmark for FAIR-compliant radiation biology data sharing. The RBO is developed using the open-source tools of GitHub and the OBO Foundry-led Ontology Development Kit, and published through GitHub and the NIH/NCBI BioPortal website. This initial phase of concept modeling has yielded an ontology that has more than 300 declared concepts, with more than 3500 additional concepts imported from other OBO Foundry ontologies with relevance to radiation biology (for example, concepts from the ISO standard Basic Formal Ontology, the Environment Ontology and the Gene Ontology). We welcome input into the development of RBO and encourage its adoption.

ontologies↗

The Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM): Community-Focused Collaborative Model Development Accelerating Research to Operations

The Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) is a fast, 1-D radiative transfer model used in numerical weather prediction, calibration/validation, etc. across multiple federal agencies and universities. The key benefit of the CRTM is that it is a satellite simulator. It provides a highly accurate representation of satellite radiances by using the specific sensor response functions convolved with a line-by-line radiative transfer model (LBLRTM). CRTM covers the spectral ranges consistent with all present operational and most research satellites, from visible to microwave. The capability to simulate ultraviolet radiances and support space-based radar sensors is being added over the next two years in CRTM Version 3.0. In addition to simulated radiances, the CRTM also provides Jacobian outputs needed to interpret satellite observations for numerical weather prediction. The Jacobian estimates how changes in geophysical parameters affect simulated measurements from satellite sensors. Using the Jacobian in modeling and weather prediction improves the accuracy and efficiency of data analysis, leading to better weather predictions. The CRTM model's success and growth depend on community contributions and evaluation. To facilitate this, we have made the CRTM highly accessible through modular programming, clear documentation and tutorials, public domain licensing, unfettered public access via Github, and a clear path to operational implementation for innovative research. We encourage and welcome contributions from the community to help us continue to improve the CRTM.

Benjamin T Johnson↗

Open Science for Plants in Space: Data Sharing, Standards, and Informatics for Reuse and Knowledge Discovery

Upcoming deep space missions will rely on plants for crew and ecosystem health. Open access space biology data enables scientists to examine the biological responses of plants to ionizing radiation, altered gravity, low atmospheric pressure, elevated CO2, altered photoperiods and many other abiotic stressors. Open Science is the practice of making research available to all, while respecting diverse cultures, and fostering collaborations with equity. 2023 is the ‘Year of Open Science’, and NASA has a 5-year Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative designed to rapidly transform the agency toward an inclusive culture of open science. NASA’s Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) within NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division provides access to data from space-relevant biological experiments. OSDR combines two databases, GeneLab and Ames Life Sciences Data Archive (ALSDA) to maximize access to standardized ‘omics (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics) and phenotypic data (e.g., microscopy, biomass), respectively. GeneLab started in 2014 with the creation of the first space-relevant FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) biological ‘omics repository, providing detailed metadata on investigation, sample, and assay levels. The addition of ALSDA to OSDR expands plant data analysis capabilities across both phenotypic and ‘omics data. Today, OSDR hosts 62+ plant datasets and has enabled 58 peer-reviewed publications. Most of these publications were collaboration efforts under the OSDR Analysis Working Groups (AWGs). AWGs provide great opportunities for investigators to collaborate and set new standards for space-relevant data and metadata. The AWGs welcome any ASPB members interested in contributing plant expertise for space biology, and to serve as subject matter experts as we establish the framework for modern plant data archiving. Investigators are invited to submit their space-relevant plant datasets to OSDR and visit the site to learn about the tools OSDR has to offer (osdr.nasa.gov/bio).

FAIR↗

Highlights of Space Weather Tools and Resources at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center

In this presentation, we showcase a diverse array of tools and resources offered by the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) to advance space weather research and support space weather services. Highlights include the Run-on-Request (RoR) and continuous run simulation services, the multi-purpose integrated Space Weather Analysis (iSWA) system (has been used for space weather monitoring, anomaly resolution, and education), space weather event database DONKI, the validation tool called CAMEL, and various scoreboard activities serving as model validation efforts before a space weather event/condition occurs (this type of pre-event validation enhances the accuracy and credibility of space weather predictions from the community). In addition, CCMC’s is an active participant providing strong support for NASA’s Heliophysics Big Year activities. Above all, our team welcomes collaborations in the broad range of áreas. Through this presentation, we aim to inspire engagement and collaboration among latinoamerican scientific communities and CCMC.

Yihua Zheng↗

Gender Diversity in Heliophysics

Science is conducted by people. When those people do not feel safe in their workplace, they will struggle to produce quality science. The American scientific community has traditionally been dominated by cisgender white men–cisgender meaning that their gender aligns with the one assigned to them at birth. Individuals who are not part of this dominant demographic group have historically been excluded from scientific debate. However, the demographic landscape is changing rapidly [e.g., Jones (2022)], and organizations must ensure early career scientists of all identities feel accepted so they can achieve their goals in the field. Heliophysics describes the confluence and interaction of historically delineated scientific disciplines, including plasma, solar, and space physics. The scientific architecture of our field is founded on collaboration between people with diverse interests, backgrounds, skill sets, and ways of approaching problems. It should follow that the cohort of heliophysicists is at least as diverse as our research problems. A framing often referred to as “the business case” for diversity holds that perspectives different than our own enrich the ways in which we solve problems and communicates the positive outcomes for diverse working groups Starck et al. (2021). However, this rationale is insufficient in scope and uncompassionate in motivation; the safety of marginalized individuals is just as important as the achievements of a group. From the expectations that marginalized people outperform in order to prove themselves to the tokenization of their inclusion in an otherwise normative space, the “business case” for diversity is often harmful to historically marginalized individuals Haacker et al. (2022). The primary motivation for a diverse constituency of heliophysicists ought to be equity. Only by accepting the authentic selves of our fellow heliophysicists can we create an environment in which they have the mental and emotional safety necessary to do their best work. This white paper focuses on a particular axis of identity which the authors believe lacks visibility within heliophysics: gender expansion. It begins with definitions, explains the current landscape, and suggests actions toward a better future. The authors seek to shed light on these issues so that we can work together as a community to create a more inclusive, safe, and welcoming space for people of all identities.

M. Kenny↗

The Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health Newsletter

Welcome to the October 2023 issue of the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) Newsletter! This issue will showcase our Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG), highlighting their contributions towards keeping our astronauts safe during spaceflight.

Ronnie Rafanan↗

Open Science for Plants in Space: Data Sharing, Standards, and Informatics for Reuse and Knowledge Discovery

Upcoming deep space missions will rely on plants for crew and ecosystem health. Open access space biology data enables scientists to examine the biological responses of plants to ionizing radiation, altered gravity, low atmospheric pressure, elevated CO2, altered photoperiods and many other abiotic stressors. Open Science is the practice of making research available to all, while respecting diverse cultures, to foster collaborations with equity. NASA has declared 2023 as the ‘Year of Open Science’ and created a 5-year Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative designed to rapidly transform the agency toward an inclusive culture of open science. NASA’s Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) within the Biological and Physical Sciences Division provides access to data from space-relevant biological experiments. OSDR combines two databases, GeneLab and Ames Life Sciences Data Archive (ALSDA) to maximize access to standardized ‘omics (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics) and phenotypic data (e.g., microscopy, biomass), respectively. GeneLab started in 2014 with the creation of the first space-relevant FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) biological ‘omics repository, providing detailed metadata on investigation, sample, and assay levels. The addition of ALSDA to OSDR expands plant data analysis capabilities across both phenotypic and ‘omics data. Today, OSDR hosts 62+ plant datasets and has enabled 58 peer-reviewed publications. Most of these publications were collaboration efforts under the OSDR Analysis Working Groups (AWGs). AWGs provide great opportunities for investigators to collaborate with community members and set new standards for space-relevant data and metadata. The AWGs welcome any ASGSR members interested in contributing plant expertise for space biology, and to serve as subject matter experts as we establish the framework for modern plant data archiving. Investigators are encouraged to submit their space-relevant plant datasets to OSDR and visit the site to learn about the tools OSDR has to offer (osdr.nasa.gov/bio).

FAIR↗

Visual and Inertial Datasets for an eVTOL Aircraft Approach and Landing Scenario

A National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) project developing computer vision algorithms for autonomous flight is producing real-world datasets with cameras mounted on aircraft. In related domains, such as autonomous driving, open datasets are key to innovation and advancement in computer vision and autonomous perception for future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations. Few vision datasets, however, are publicly available in the aviation context. This paper introduces preliminary datasets containing several examples of approach and landing scenarios. The platform aircraft include a multirotor small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) and a crewed helicopter as surrogates for future electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The dataset provides video imagery with associated inertial navigation system-global positioning system (INS-GPS) position and attitude estimates and other sensors. Surveyed locations of the visual features of the landing area are included. This dataset is the first to be released in an ongoing effort to collect and share large, diverse datasets relevant to autonomous aviation; community critique that can inform and improve future flight campaigns is welcome.

Nelson Brown↗

Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health Newsletter

Welcome to the April 2024 issue of the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) Newsletter. In this issue, we celebrate LSAH lead, Dr. Mary Wear’s retirement, inform you of the Apollo Records Synthesis Project (ARSP), and recap information shared at the 2024 Human Research Program (HRP) Investigators’ Workshop (IWS) by our LSAH Epidemiologists and NASA HRP team.

Anna C. Morgenthaler-Cejka↗

Hemispheric Airborne Measurements of Air Quality (HAMAQ)

Under NASA’s Earth Venture Suborbital program, Hemispheric Airborne Measurements of Air Quality (HAMAQ) will conduct a series of campaigns in 2028 under the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) geostationary satellite instrument. HAMAQ plans include two deployments, including the Mexico City megalopolis and another North American site yet to be selected. The effort will include two aircraft, NASA’s B777 for in situ sampling and G-III for remote sensing. These aircraft will be used to complete a system of integrated observations, combining satellite observations, ground-based monitoring and research observations with air quality modeling. HAMAQ field intensives will serve multiple objectives to include: improving the use of satellite observations in concert with traditional ground monitoring to inform air quality; assessing emissions to better understand their timing and source apportionment; advancing the development of satellite proxies for air quality; and assessing the factors controlling local air quality in each location sampled. Given the long lead time for this campaign, this poster welcomes discussion from the community on strategies and candidate sites for the second deployment. Given the broad applicability of the HAMAQ science objectives and observing strategy, possible partnerships to extend the pursuit of the larger vision of HAMAQ to also sample in Asia and Europe are of interest.

James H Crawford↗

The Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health Newsletter

Welcome to the October 2024 issue of the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) Newsletter. In this issue, we will introduce you to the outgoing LSAH/LSDA lead, Mary Van Baalen, PhD; share with you the history of the NASA Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Project, as well as provide you with additional information on the consent to re-use your Astronaut data and the application of the TREAT Act. Be sure to check out the Clinic Corner, HRP Corner, the Publications Corner, and a special Formers Corner where we share Travel Tips for your LSAH Exam travels!

Ronnie Rafanan↗

Exploring our Changing Planet through NASA’s Earth Information Center and Novel Methods for Earth Science Communication

In June 2023, NASA unveiled the Earth Information Center (EIC), an interagency initiative which invites the global community to explore how our planet is changing through interactive installations, captivating visualizations, and novel storytelling. Existing in both physical and virtual space, the EIC serves as a gateway to actionable information collected through an expanding fleet of Earth observing satellites and sensors. The EIC features data driven visualizations, near real-time information, immersive experiences, and curated stories that highlight the applications of publicly available data to address environmental challenges across nine thematic areas: agriculture, biodiversity, disasters, greenhouse gases, air quality, sea level rise, sustainable energy, water resources, and wildfires. Designed by an interdisciplinary team, EIC exhibits are developed to reach a wide base of end-users across multiple learning modalities. During the first year of operation, the inaugural location of the EIC at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, welcomed an estimated 24,000 visitors, hosted over 145 tours for domestic and international organizations, supported NASA’s Earth Day 2024 programming, and led six STEM programs for diverse student communities. With lessons learned from the first year of being open to the public and a variety of novel science communication tools in development, the EIC is expanding the mission’s reach by collaborating with museums and visitor centers. Through these collaborations, we aim to inform a broader demographic about the unprecedented changes observed in Earth’s climate and inspire communities to learn more about their one and only home, planet Earth.

Nicole Ramberg-Pihl↗

Communication and Social Science in the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG) Assessment

Every two years, NASA conducts an in-depth assessment of the satellite Earth observation data needs of U.S. federal civilian agencies submitted through the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG) survey. The SNWG assessment occurs at the nexus of science and people: in the 2022 assessment, over 100 scientists across NASA, NOAA, and USGS were organized to interview over 165 end users at 29 agencies about their unique satellite needs, brainstorm a range of solutions to meet those needs, and communicate back to agencies about resources available for meeting their needs. The innovative approaches to communication, organization, and team make-up that will be described in this talk are vital to the success of the SNWG assessment. As the first major step in evaluating a satellite need, the tri-agency assessment team interviews the agency SMEs who submitted the survey to understand how satellite data could help inform their decision-making process or enable them to fulfill their key responsibilities. In preparation, NASA utilizes social scientists to provide training to all assessment participants on how to hold a discovery-centered interview, including starting with a purpose, creating a welcoming space, exploring all aspects and edges of the need, and brainstorming possible solutions to meet the need. After the interviews, assessment participants propose and review solutions across all thematic areas, seeking those that will help multiple agencies. During the selection process, agencies expected to benefit from a new solution have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed activity and are invited to co-design the solution with NASA, should it be implemented. The organization of needs and solutions takes place in Asana, a workflow management tool adapted for the SNWG assessment, and the Report Generation Tool (RGT) enables assessment teams to collaboratively write reports that are returned to each agency with information on current and upcoming resources that help meet their needs.

Katrina Virts↗