The Fredy & Nadine Herrmann

Torrential rains are falling across the Sahara in the last few days (Sep 2024), triggering high-magnitude floods in ephemeral desert streams. 

Heavy precipitation events are frequent in summertime over the Sahara's southern side, as noted by Armon et al. (2024). 

This year, in response to an extratropical cyclone, these rains moved northward and thunderstorms were observed in the northwestern Sahara.

This mechanism, described in a preprint article now under review (link) triggered high-magnitude floods in the northwestern Sahara, which filled up dry desert lakes, as seen in this post by NASA. 

More on this Saharan rainfall event in this episode of the BBC's Science in Action.

Sebkha el Melah (13/9/2024), a normally dry lake in the Sahara was filled by the recent floods.

Image source: NASA Worldview

The James Webb Space Telescope marks a critical moment in the exploration of the universe. A team of scientists led by Dr. Asaf Hochman from the Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has provided insights into the atmospheres of Earth-like exoplanets. The research, published in the prestigious journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, illuminates the complexity of the interaction between atmospheric chemistry and climate dynamics, marking a breakthrough in our understanding of the possibility of life beyond our solar system.

The research team included Dr. Paolo De Luca from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Dr. Thaddeus Komacek from the University of Maryland, and Mr. Merrick Bram from the University of Edinburgh. The study focuses on the exoplanet Proxima Centauri b, which is surprisingly close to our solar system. Using advanced techniques, the team embarked on a theoretical exploration of this planet's atmosphere.

Their findings reveal the key role of ozone in shaping the climate dynamics of planets. Through advanced simulations, the researchers discovered a deep connection between ozone levels and atmospheric stability.

One of the study's stunning discoveries is the impact of ozone on atmospheric temperature and wind patterns. By incorporating the effect of ozone, the team observed a reduction in temperature differences between the planet's hemispheres and an increase in atmospheric temperature at certain heights, hinting at the delicate balance between atmospheric chemical composition and climate dynamics. Furthermore, the research proposes a new framework for understanding the impact of photochemical gases on the climate dynamics of exoplanets, opening the door to a deeper understanding of potential habitable environments beyond our solar system.

This groundbreaking research paves the way for future exploration of Proxima Centauri b and lays the foundation for studying other Earth-like planets, promising a wealth of discoveries yet to be revealed.

For the full paper

Article in The Jerusalem Post