Brett Israel

Live Science Staff Writer

Brett Israel was a staff writer for Live Science with a focus on environmental issues from 2009 to 2013. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and has studied doctorate-level biochemistry at Emory University. 

Articles by: Brett Israel

The massive storm system that spawned the deadly Leap Day tornadoes of Feb. 29, 2012.

Leap Day Tornado-Producing Storms Seen From Space

By Brett Israel published

NASA satellites captured the storms roaring across the Midwest.

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano

NASA Airborne Radar 'Sees' Inside Hawaii Volcano

By Brett Israel published

Measurements from above will lead to understanding what's under the volcano.

Plume From the Red Sea Island

Satellite Photo Shows New Island Rising from Earth's Red Sea

By Brett Israel published

The Red Sea has a new inhabitant: a smoking island.

Meet the Rocket City Rednecks (L to R): Dr. Pete Erbach, Rog Jones, Dr. Travis Taylor, Charles "Daddy" Taylor, Michael Taylor.

Meet the Ringleader of the 'Rocket City Rednecks'

By Brett Israel published

Travis Taylor talks with SPACE.com about "Rocket City Rednecks" and why NASA needs some 'hillbilly ingenuity.'

Rednecks pose with their moonshine-powered rocket post-launch. (L to R) Michael Taylor, Travis Taylor, Charles "Daddy" Taylor, Pete Erbach (standing), Rog Jones.

'Rocket City Rednecks' Launches Reality TV into Final Frontier

By Brett Israel published

Moonshine-fueled rockets and bomb-proofing a truck clad in beer cans highlight the new science-themed reality TV show.

Feel the heat: The Texas Forest Service undertook controlled burns on April 17 near the McDonald Observatory.

McDonald Observatory Gets Wild View of Texas Wildfires

By Brett Israel published

Observations have resumed. Observatory reopens to public tomorrow.

The mirror of the 9.2-meter Hobby-Eberly Telescope is visible through the open louvers in this twilight view. In daylight, the flagpoles on the right show the flags of the five HET partner institutions.

Texas Wildfires Cut Power to McDonald Observatory

By Brett Israel published

The observatory was on backup power for days and sheltered refugees.

NOT So Glory-ious Launch

NASA's Lost Glory Satellite: Why It Failed and Why It Matters

By Brett Israel published

Climate data from space could have added to climate change models.

The massive winter storm that is roaring across the U.S.

Satellite Photos Reveal Massive Storm Across 30 U.S. States

By Brett Israel published

New storm could bring dangerous freezing rain for much of the country.

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Weird Glow from Earth's Auroras Explained

By Brett Israel published

The mystery behind the faint glow of light in Earth's upper atmosphere, known as the diffuse aurora, has been found, scientists say.

NASA Drone Will Fly Into Hurricanes to Look at Lightning

NASA Drone Will Fly Into Hurricanes to Look at Lightning

By Brett Israel published

Linking lightning to changes in storm intensity could lead to better forecasts.

Moon Dust May Be Worse Than Apollo Missions Found

Apollo 11 Experiment Still Going After 40 Years

By Brett Israel published

An Apollo 11 experiment on the moon’s surface is still running strong after 40 years.

NASA Sports Drink Gives Everyone the Right Stuff

NASA Sports Drink Gives Everyone the Right Stuff

By Brett Israel published

NASA has developed a new sports drink that delivers 20 percent more endurance than others.

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