Earth and Space Science Informatics

Geo-magicians: The mysterious work of understanding our magnetic Earth

Asmae Ourkiya February 28, 2025

Picture by Curdin. Source: Unsplash

There is a force all around us—unseen, unfelt, and yet profoundly influential. It guides the migration of birds across continents, whispers secrets to ancient rocks, and shields us from cosmic storms. This force is as mysterious as it is essential, shaping our world in ways that most of us never think about. Imagine a sailor centuries ago, staring at a compass that always points north. What guides ...[Read More]

Space debris: Borrowing the planet from our children- Why we need to mitigate space desecration

Asmae Ourkiya January 17, 2025

Photo taken by Peter Bo

On December 11, 2024, while taking part in AGU’s 2024 Annual Meeting, I attended a press conference hosted by experts from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Michigan that focuses on the serious risks posed by space debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). As we are heading towards an increasingly crowded space environment, the question on everyone’s mind is: What can we do to ...[Read More]

Hera: A journey to Mars kicks off Earth’s latest defence plan

Asmae Ourkiya November 26, 2024

Photo by Javier Miranda

And what if we could prevent a catastrophe as old as the dinosaurs?… As Hera’s mission launched last month, this blog post aims to give you insights into this mission and why it matters. Continue reading and find out! One of humans’ biggest rebellious acts against insignificance is staring at the sky and wondering what else is out there, then thinking “We can definitely fin ...[Read More]

Was that a meteor or a re-entry ? The final frontier for satellites when their mission ends

Asmae Ourkiya November 15, 2024

Picture taken by Nick Uwuor

Like humans, satellites have a lifespan. These machines orbiting high above Earth serve various critical purposes that range from monitoring weather systems and tracking greenhouse gases to studying the cosmos. But even the most advanced satellites reach a point when their electronics wear out, their fuel depletes, and their missions come to an end. When their time is up, what becomes of these tir ...[Read More]