Magazine
September-October 2008
September-October 2008
Volume: 96 Number: 5
The past half-century has witnessed incredible advances in the capabilities of satellites, leading to unprecedented insights into our planet. As Andy J. Tatem, Scott J. Goetz and Simon I. Hay report in "Fifty Years of Earth-observation Satellites," these devices, now numbering more than 150, are essential for monitoring events both natural and influenced by human activities, such as the El Nino Southern Oscillation. Imagery from space can help avert disaster by keeping tabs on potentially hazardous areas, such as the active volcano Sakura-jima in the center of a bay off the island of Kyushu, Japan. The volcano has been in near-continuous eruption since 1955, releasing gas and ash that often drops on a nearby city. Modern instruments allow satellites to monitor such events despite weather conditions: This image was taken with a synthetic-aperture radar, which can collect data even in the presence of clouds and darkness.
In This Issue
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Computer
- Engineering
- Environment
- Ethics
- Evolution
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Physics
- Policy
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Technology
Fifty Years of Earth-observation Satellites
Andrew J. Tatem, Scott J. Goetz, Simon I. Hay
Astronomy Biology Chemistry Physics
Views from space have led to countless advances on the ground in both scientific knowledge and daily life
Water News: Bad, Good and Virtual
Vaclav Smil
Environment Ethics Policy
Rational thinking about water may be key to ensuring a clean, plentiful supply
Statins: From Fungus to Pharma
Philip A. Rea
Biology Chemistry Medicine
The curiosity of biochemists, mixed with some obvious economic incentives, created a family of powerful cardiovascular drugs
Scientists' Nightstand
Short takes on three books
Fenella Saunders, Anna Lena Phillips, Emily Buehler
Communications Review Scientists Nightstand
Storming the Gates of Paradise • Crime Scene Chemistry for the Armchair Sleuth • Banana
