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![An illustration shows cosmic rays streaming at Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d3KZKeEPNAF6XfYa3PJE4H-320-80.png)
Earth got hammered by cosmic rays 41,000 years ago due to a weak magnetic field
By Robert Lea published
Earth's magnetic shield weakened around 41,000 years ago, resulting in increased bombardment of our atmosphere by energetic charged particles called cosmic rays.
![an image of earth taken by a satellite, showing white wispy clouds over blue oceans and green landmasses](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rjdGi9hmMPhbd6Z7f3rcdT-320-80.png)
Earth Day 2024: Witness our changing planet in 12 incredible satellite images
By Meredith Garofalo published
To commemorate Earth Day, enjoy these 12 NOAA satellite images that showcase the different ways this critical technology helps scientists keep an eye on our planet.
![satellite image of the great barrier reef, off the coast of australia](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3RgSYFsgJab4ot692aURuc-320-80.jpg)
Satellites watch as 4th global coral bleaching event unfolds (image)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Satellites are tracking in real time as multiple major coral reefs around the world get paler due to warming sea temperatures in the fourth-ever global bleaching event.
![A view of Earth in the back, behind the Google doodle.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vj2BPogHsYJhozd37d6AFZ-320-80.gif)
The Earth Day 2024 Google doodle is a climate change reminder
By Monisha Ravisetti published
For Earth Day this year, the Google doodle is highlighting areas of our planet it sees itself in.
![earth against the blackness of space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A2zZsEd4niP9KVPJFpMyfH-320-80.jpg)
Happy Earth Day 2024! NASA picks 6 new airborne missions to study our changing planet
By Meredith Garofalo published
Six newly selected NASA airborne campaigns will focus on a range of studies focusing on Earth and its changing climate.
![earth day graphic illustration showing the Earth in the center surrounded by trees and a heart shaped cloud in the middle.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/quJFc2kidnxhbtHdNDsrna-320-80.jpg)
Earth Day: What is it and why does it matter?
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
Reference Earth Day occurs annually on April, 22. It began in 1970 and celebrates the environmental diversity of Earth and highlights ways of protecting it.
![Dark rocks strewn across the ice in Antarctica](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/W6xk64XNSakHtKtHFtaBCH-320-80.jpg)
Thousands of hidden meteorites could be lost forever as they sink in Antarctic ice, taking their cosmic secrets with them
By Harry Baker published
A new study warns that 5,000 meteorites could be sinking beneath Antarctica's icy surface every year as a result of climate change, depriving scientists of vital information about our solar system.
![Jennifer M. captured this photo of a fireball in Earth's skies from Phelan, California on April 2, 2024 and forwarded it to the American Meteor Society. The fireball was caused by the reentry of China's Shenzhou 15 orbital module, experts say.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kB542u2YgtzKmurW8AfXWS-320-80.jpg)
Chinese space junk falls to Earth over Southern California, creating spectacular fireball (photos, video)
By Mike Wall published
A big piece of Chinese space junk fell to Earth over Southern California early Tuesday morning (April 2), putting on quite a show for observers in the Golden State.
![a satellite image of Earth taken from above the arctic, with green swirls moving counterclockwise representing the movement of cold air patterns](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TDgWhBfTFgw4uUQGBehR44-320-80.gif)
Polar vortex is 'spinning backwards' above Arctic after major reversal event
By Harry Baker published
Earlier this month, a sudden atmospheric warming event caused the Arctic's polar vortex to reverse its trajectory. The swirling ring of cold air is now spinning in the wrong direction, which has triggered a record-breaking "ozone spike" and could impact global weather patterns.
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