In addition to looking outward, NASA constantly monitors our own planet using a suite of satellites. In this video, they visualize data taken by the Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory of Hurricane Maria two days before it hit Puerto Rico. Instruments on board the satellite measure both liquid and frozen precipitation, giving scientists – and now the public – a glimpse into the heart of a developing hurricane. Be sure to take a look around; it’s a 360-degree video, and I bet it’s even more spectacular in VR. Having a trove of data like this helps researchers better understand the processes that influence a strengthening hurricane, which ultimately allows them to make better predictions about hurricane behavior in order to save lives. (Video credit: NASA; via Francesco C.)
Inside Hurricane Maria
