Asteroid 2023 DR flew past Earth at 0.2 LD
A newly-discovered asteroid designated 2023 DR flew past Earth at a distance of 0.2 LD / 0.00051 AU (76 294 km / 47 407 miles) at 05:47 UTC on February 25, 2023.
Long-duration M3.7 solar flare erupts from AR 3229, producing large coronal mass ejection
A long-duration M3.7 solar flare erupted from Active Region 3234 at 20:30 UTC on February 24, 2023, producing a large coronal mass ejection (CME). The event was associated with a filament eruption.
Unprecedented snowfall isolates 87 villages, leaving 24 000 families in need of assistance, Morocco
A severe snowstorm wreaked havoc in Morocco’s southeast region on February 18 and 19, 2023, leaving 24 000 families in dire need of assistance and 87 villages isolated. The unprecedented levels of snowfall have led to road closures and the suspension of classes, while authorities and troops work tirelessly to provide aid to those in need.
From heatwave to frost in less than a week: Historic cold engulfs parts of South America
A sudden and unexpected surge of cold Arctic air has engulfed several regions of South America, shattering numerous cold records in its wake. Although it is currently summer in the southern hemisphere, including parts of South America such as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and parts of Brazil, some areas have experienced a drastic and rapid shift in weather, going from a heat wave to frost in less than a week.
The most powerful gamma-ray burst on record
A record-breaking gamma-ray burst known as GRB 221009A was detected in October 2022, and now, a trio of papers has been submitted to The Astrophysical Journal Letters, revealing new insights about this rare and unique event. With up to 18 teraelectronvolts of energy packed in its emissions of light, GRB 221009A is considered the most powerful gamma-ray burst on record, and its afterglow has been challenging our current theoretical models of gamma-ray bursts.
Record-breaking snowfall hits Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, has experienced a record-breaking amount of snowfall in recent months.
Thousands displaced by flooding in northern Syria after earthquakes trigger dam breach
Northern Syria is facing a dual humanitarian crisis after a series of devastating earthquakes in Turkey caused a dam breach along the Orontes river, resulting in widespread flooding and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes.
Thousands of buildings in Auckland unsafe for living after worst rains in 170 years, New Zealand
Thousands of buildings in New Zealand’s Auckland area are currently unsafe for living after the region was hit by extreme rainfall and severe flooding at the end of January. The amount of rain that fell in a matter of days made January 2023 Auckland’s wettest month in at least the last 170 years. The flooding has put the public’s focus on nature-based alternatives to traditional stormwater systems.
Series of destructive landslides in Peru claim at least 40 lives, destroy 200 homes
At least 40 people have lost their lives and 200 houses have been swept away by a series of landslides caused by heavy rains in the Peruvian department of Arequipa. The landslides began on Sunday, February 5, 2023, and affected the town of Secocha and other localities in the province of Camaná.
Historic Sierra Nevada snowpack brings drought relief, flooding concerns to California
The Sierra Nevada snowpack, a major source of water supply in California, has reached its highest level since 1995, raising hopes for an end to the drought but also concerns about the possibility of flooding due to rapid melting.
