NASA mission maps invisible heat loss from Earth's rapidly changing poles
At the top and bottom of the planet, the seasons arrive on a schedule all their own. Satellite data from a mission measuring infrared energy reveal just how differently—and how dramatically—surface temperatures swing across two full years at the poles.
NASA's PREFIRE mission, comprised of twin CubeSats, has been mapping the invisible heat loss from Earth's rapidly changing poles. By collecting infrared energy data over two full seasons at the Arctic and Antarctic, the mission reveals dramatic fluctuations in surface temperatures. In the Arctic, temperatures soar during summer, melting tundra and sea ice, while Antarctica remains cold even in its summer months.
These temperature swings offer crucial insights into Earth's energy budget, which governs the balance of energy entering and leaving the Earth system. The poles play a vital role in this process, as atmospheric and oceanic circulation carries heat from the tropics to the poles, where it radiates away to space, helping to regulate the planet's temperature.
By measuring far-infrared radiation, which constitutes nearly 60% of Earth's heat loss to space, PREFIRE is enhancing scientists' understanding of why polar regions are changing rapidly and how these changes may impact the entire planet. This information is vital for refining climate models, improving weather and climate predictions, and supporting industries, national defense, and Arctic communities that rely on accurate forecasts.
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