Articles by Douglas Main, Contributing Writer | Space

Douglas Main loves the weird and wonderful world of science, digging into amazing Planet Earth discoveries and wacky animal findings (from marsupials mating themselves to death to zombie worms to tear-drinking butterflies). He is now a senior writer and editor for National Geographic, focusing on wildlife, nature and the environment.

Articles by: Douglas Main

This image, captured by the Suomi NPP satellite, shows polluted air over northeastern China on Oct. 21, 2013.

China's 'Airpocalypse' Tracked by NASA Satellite

By Douglas Main published 30 October 13

Air pollution in northern China recently reached astonishing lows, with visibility of about 30 feet. The clouds of smoke and smog have been tracked from above by NASA's Aqua satellite.

The Juno spacecraft passes in front of Jupiter in this artist's depiction.

Jupiter-Bound NASA Probe to Grab Speed Boost from Earth Flyby Wednesday

By Douglas Main published 8 October 13

Bay of Biscay Bloom

Beautiful Plankton Blooms Seen from Space

By Douglas Main published 13 May 13

The plankton blooms occur most springs.

Smoke from California's Spring Wildfire

View from Space: Animation of California's Springs Wildfire

By Douglas Main published 7 May 13

The fire kicked up a lot of smoke.

An ash plume drifts from Paluweh volcano in Indonesia in this image, taken April 29, 2013 from the Landsat Data Continuity Misison's Operational Land Imager instrument.

Volcano's Heat, Eruption Seen from Space

By Douglas Main published 6 May 13

See the hot lava from space.

A prototype of GROVER

NASA Rover to Explore… Greenland

By Douglas Main published 2 May 13

Grover the rover will inspect the apex of Greenland's ice sheet.

Big Atlantic Storm

How a Storm Became Big Enough to Span the Atlantic

By Douglas Main published 29 March 13

The storm is creating waves up to 42 feet high.

Earth On Spring Equinox

What the Spring Equinox Looks Like from Space

By Douglas Main published 20 March 13

During the equinox, night and day are almost the same length.

Colorado Snow Seen from Space NASA Terra satellite

Record-Setting Snowfall Seen from Space

By Douglas Main published 27 February 13

The blizzard set records in several areas.

Night Shining Clouds from ISS

Astronaut Snaps Beautiful Photo of 'Night-Shining Clouds'

By Douglas Main published 22 January 13

Watch from the International Space Station as high-altitude clouds glow.

Earth Observing Satellite NASA

NASA Sets Launch Date for New Earth-Observing Satellite

By Douglas Main published 10 January 13

The new satellite will replaced Landsat 5, which is being decommissioned.

King Tides Ocean Waves Beach

Lined-Up Sun, Moon Give Rise to 'King Tides'

By Douglas Main published 10 January 13

Tides are higher due to the sun and moon being close to Earth.

Earth Observing Satellite NASA

NASA to Announce Launch of New Earth-Observing Satellite

By Douglas Main published 9 January 13

The new satellite will replaced Landsat 5, which is being decommissioned.

The World at Night

Zoom in On 'Black Marble' Earth View

By Douglas Main published 10 December 12

See what the world looks like at night — from space.

UP Fall Foliage

Time-Lapse Captures Fall Color, Northern Lights

By Douglas Main published 12 October 12

Thousands of pictures have been stitched together to make this movie.

Storm over East Coast

Satellite Spies Dangerous East Coast Weather System

By Douglas Main published 18 September 12

Some areas have already seen 5 inches of rain.

Guatemala's Fuego volcano

Satellite Gets Bird's-Eye Shot of Guatemala Volcano Erupting

By Douglas Main published 14 September 12

The volcano's ash has displaced more than 30,000 people.

Discovery: Earth's Oldest Crater Is Largest Too

By Douglas Main published 29 June 12

The area may contain precious minerals.

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