Meredith Garofalo
Latest articles by Meredith Garofalo
![bright white tendrils of light explode outwards from a solid black circle on a red background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rZHrGSfDnUbkoQr7CedrFT-320-80.jpg)
Sun blasts out most powerful flare of current solar cycle, sends massive coronal mass ejection into space (video)
By Meredith Garofalo published
A solar flare on July 23 was even bigger than a previous one that triggered May's global aurora storm, but this one was facing away from Earth on the far side of the sun.
![A healthy coral reef filled with a range of knobby, table, and branching corals.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VkvzqB2gKSvwatkB7zoMdZ-320-80.jpg)
Satellites are game changers for protecting coral reefs in a warming world
By Meredith Garofalo published
Over the years, satellites have played an important role in monitoring oceans and coral reefs all across the globe.
![A high resolution view shows wildfires raging across the Pacific Northwest](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JvQuAigCEiZFHpjvS9uefS-320-80.gif)
Powerful wildfires devastating Canada captured in satellite imagery
By Meredith Garofalo published
A rapidly spreading wildfire burns through part of the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies as satellites track its growth and movement.
![The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite captured its first view of the entire sunlit side of Earth from one million miles away on July 6, 2015.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A2zZsEd4niP9KVPJFpMyfH-320-80.jpg)
June 2024 featured record-breaking heat and billion-dollar weather disasters, NOAA says
By Meredith Garofalo published
The U.S. just suffered its second-hottest June in 130 years. The month also featured four new billion-dollar weather and climate disasters.
![a small white rectangle on a black tripod rests on the ground](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QDDWjSEmxw8CXy24wo4sMd-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX makes Starlink Roam available throughout the US
By Meredith Garofalo published
Described as "high-speed internet on the go," SpaceX's Starlink Mini is now available from coast to coast, bringing users a world-wide connection from space.
![two loops of dark-colored wispy material explode outward from the fiery surface of the sun](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4gFhtg8RLAD6iSsxhz73F5-320-80.gif)
Watch two plumes of 'dark' plasma explode from the sun and send solar storm towards Earth (video)
By Meredith Garofalo published
Two loops of "dark" plasma exploded from the sun on July 21, sending a stream of plasma and magnetic field known as a coronal mass ejection barreling towards Earth.
![closeup of a huge eruption of plasma from the sun, captured by a nasa spacecraft](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jnZd2yCei8SQvnaaixV2gc-320-80.jpg)
Solar storm forecasts could soon get a big boost. Here's how.
By Meredith Garofalo published
Scientists have figured out a way to estimate the speed of a coronal mass ejection before it even leaves the sun, potentially providing a big boost to space weather forecasts.
![Two stacked rocks on Mars. The top rock is smaller.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PWPqieqY4Ucf9CEHgidpob-320-80.jpg)
Little Mars 'snowman' spotted by NASA's Perseverance rover (photo)
By Meredith Garofalo last updated
Do you see what we see? A stacked rock formation spotted by NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover looks like a dusty snowman!
![a large complex consisting of several large white buildings, seen from high in the air](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wXpVbk6CKf4risNS2p3ZYn-320-80.jpg)
Virgin Galactic completes new Delta space plane manufacturing facility in Arizona
By Meredith Garofalo published
Virgin Galactic has completed its new multi-use manufacturing facility in Arizona, where it plans to begin assembly on its new Delta space plane fleet in 2025.
![a close-up of the fuzzy-looking surface of the sun shows a bright explosion of light on its rightmost edge](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/67rtuwmbp2ABxQcFvSENkS-320-80.jpg)
Sun blasts out 2nd X-class flare this week, triggers more radio blackouts (video)
By Meredith Garofalo published
Sunspot region AR 3738 fired off an X1.9 flare as it exited the sun's western limb on July 16, 2024 and caused radio blackouts over much of Africa, Europe, and parts of North and South America.
![an astronaut floats above earth as social media logos pop up over the image.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QG8CJD5whDZEXQnLXypaMS-320-80.gif)
Cosmic curiosity is climbing, thanks to social media
By Meredith Garofalo published
How social media has changed the way we get information this century.
![a swirling circle of clouds as seen from space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eXKEx8iQKn28uM559VCJEW-320-80.jpg)
Hurricane Beryl sets multiple records as 1st major storm of 2024 Atlantic season (video)
By Meredith Garofalo published
What started as a tropical wave off the coast of Africa has now set multiple records and claimed the spot as the first hurricane to develop during the 2024 Atlantic season.
![A spacecraft is seen with a metal box like shape in the middle and a white disk-like shape toward the left.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZaJbaCzvHktZD9drAosEJN-320-80.png)
1st images from European climate satellite reveal how energy cycles to and from Earth
By Meredith Garofalo published
The European Space Agency's EarthCARE satellite sent back its first images; they should be able to help scientists better study Earth's energy balance.
![a large group of people is gathered outside by a road for a photo. People in the front few rows are wearing blue. In the back rows, which number more than a dozen, many flags on poles are being held up, but they lay flat without wind.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FWhNW2bpACse74zJ4YuXaK-320-80.jpg)
University of Maryland wins world's largest college rocketry competition
By Meredith Garofalo published
A record-setting 122 teams competed this year in New Mexico at the world's largest intercollegiate rocketry competition.
![a satellite image of earth's northern hemisphere over north america, with map boarder outlines overlayed. Lots of weather is seen.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ofFESiUnwKBQndGJ6fTTEJ-320-80.jpg)
Saharan dust outbreak lingers across some US states this week
By Meredith Garofalo published
A large plume of Saharan dust settled across the Gulf states this week after an epic journey from Africa.
![a cube-shaped satellite in orbit above earth points a laser-like light down onto the planet below](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DBi5xmvBZRDV2ofe6omZDX-320-80.jpg)
NOAA's upcoming GeoXO satellites could be 'weather-monitoring platform of the future'
By Meredith Garofalo published
NASA has awarded Lockheed Martin a $2.27 billion contract to build NOAA's next generation GeoXO weather satellite constellation.
![A swirling storm of white clouds twists over the ocean toward land.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DKTpSsPqyJzdLNEw5rc5va-320-80.gif)
Hurricane Beryl makes landfall as Category 1 hurricane along eastern Texas (video)
By Meredith Garofalo published
The strongest hurricane to occur this early in the year makes landfall in Matagorda, Texas, as a Category 1 early Monday (July 8) morning.
![a big white rocket launches into a blue sky, with the ocean in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ygrQqJFBFao6zNXkcGUFFj-320-80.jpg)
Powerful GOES-U weather satellite launches to orbit atop SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket (video)
By Meredith Garofalo published
NOAA's advanced GOES-U weather satellite launched today (June 25) on the 10th-ever liftoff of SpaceX's powerful Falcon Heavy rocket.
![illustration of a silver satellite in space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ken6iXzHEQQTGAYsUde6ZD-320-80.jpg)
Powerful GOES-U weather satellite cleared for launch today on SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket
By Meredith Garofalo published
NOAA's GOES-U weather satellite has been cleared for its planned liftoff today (June 25) atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
![a cube-shaped spacecraft covered in gold foil floats above earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jj6HxrZyy7Mxy2Xdt9WoLU-320-80.png)
How the GOES U satellite will change Earth and space weather forecasts forever
By Meredith Garofalo published
GOES-U will complete NOAA's GOES-R weather satellite constellation, adding to the capabilities of its siblings and bringing a bigger focus on space weather.
![a triple-core rocket blasts off under a sunny, partly cloudy blue sky. smoke expands below next to an obscured launch tower, near a long white hanger with SPACEX written on the side. To the left, a bird flies away.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MirAUi24V2VGTeXdZZqNBW-320-80.jpg)
How to watch SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket launch NOAA's GOES-U satellite today
By Meredith Garofalo published
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy is scheduled to launch NOAA's GOES-U weather satellite on June 25. Here's how to watch live.
![a triple booster rocket blasts off from a launch tower with a blue hazy sky behind](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QHszSTUgqf8p4b9m8NXdKo-320-80.jpg)
GOES-U satellite launch this month will bring a solar activity monitor to space
By Meredith Garofalo published
"Without these spaceborne observations, we would be blind to where activity is on the sunspots."
![a triple booster rocket blasts off from a launch tower with a blue hazy sky behind](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QHszSTUgqf8p4b9m8NXdKo-320-80.jpg)
The GOES-U satellite will catch a ride to space on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket
By Meredith Garofalo published
For the first time, a NOAA satellite will launch on SpaceX's powerhouse vehicle.