NASA Catches Hurricane Milton From Space As It Nears Florida!
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick recently shared a striking timelapse video of Hurricane Milton from the Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. The spacecraft is docked at the International Space Station (ISS). The video shows a unique yet equally terrifying view on the storm’s power. It churns across the Gulf of Mexico as it steadily makes its way towards Florida. The footage also shows lightning flashing in the eye of the storm. Let’s have a look.
Impact on NASA Missions and Crew-8’s Return
Hurricane Milton threatens not only Florida but also affects NASA’s plans. Crew-8, the mission currently aboard the ISS, was supposed to return to Earth on Monday, October 7. However, because of the hurricane’s approach, NASA and SpaceX delayed the crew’s undocking and splashdown. The waters in the Gulf of Mexico, where the capsule Endeavour was planned to land, are too dangerous due to the storm. NASA now plans to bring the crew home on Sunday, October 13, at the earliest. This when the storm passes and conditions are safer.
Timelapse flying by Hurricane Milton about 2 hours ago.
— Matthew Dominick (@dominickmatthew) October 8, 2024
1/6400 sec exposure, 14mm, ISO 500, 0.5 sec interval, 30fps pic.twitter.com/p5wBlC95mx
Crew-8’s mission has been an important one. The crew includes NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin. They were carried to the ISS by the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in early March. Their return has been closely coordinated by NASA and SpaceX. They ensured the safety of the astronauts even in unpredictable conditions like Hurricane Milton.
The hurricane has also disrupted other NASA activities. The $5 billion Europa Clipper mission, set to launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, has been postponed because of Milton. NASA has not yet announced a new date for the mission’s launch. It depends on how quickly the storm passes and leaves safe conditions behind.
Hurricane Milton Updates
Hurricane Milton is currently classified as a Category 4 storm, which is the second most powerful type of hurricane. It is predicted to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, near Tampa and St. Petersburg, on Wednesday, October 9. However, by the time it hits land, it may weaken to a Category 3 storm, which is still extremely dangerous. The Associated Press reports that Milton will move across Florida, potentially affecting the Atlantic coast after it moves inland.
Milton has already forced the cancellation of important events like the Crew-8 return and the Europa Clipper launch. The storm surge in Tampa Bay is expected to reach up to 12 feet, which could cause significant flooding and damage. Residents are being advised to take precautions, as hurricanes can be highly unpredictable.
The Unpredictable Path of Hurricane Milton
Hurricanes like Milton are known for their unpredictable paths. In fact, Milton defied many early forecasts by moving further south than expected. Originally, the storm was predicted to impact Tampa Bay more directly. However, on Tuesday morning, October 8, updated forecasts placed Milton’s expected landfall about 20 to 25 miles south of Tampa, closer to Sarasota. This change in course could make the difference between a catastrophic event in Tampa and something less severe.
Even with this shift, meteorologists caution that the path could still change. Small changes, or “wobbles,” in a hurricane’s direction can lead to major differences in the areas that feel the worst of the storm. The National Hurricane Center has warned everyone in the storm’s potential path to be prepared. They also highlight that the average error in hurricane forecasts is about 40 miles even just a day before landfall.
Floridians Prepare for Landfall
As Hurricane Milton draws closer to land, many Florida residents are deciding whether to evacuate or stay put. Some, like Bridgit Stone-Budd, who lives on Sanibel Island, have chosen to stay despite the dangers. Stone-Budd stayed during Hurricane Ian and said, “I feel safe up here on our stilted home, but if we were to lose a pylon and the house wasn’t sturdy, that scares me the most.” She knows it’s a risk, but also mentioned that one of the hardest parts of evacuating is not knowing when you can return home.
Sanibel Island has issued evacuation orders, and those who choose to stay behind are now under a 24-hour curfew. With the storm’s unpredictability, there are always concerns about how much damage it could cause, but for some residents, leaving isn’t always the best option.
Conclusion
NASA’s space-based observations, like the timelapse shared by astronaut Matthew Dominick, offer an incredible view of powerful natural phenomena like Hurricane Milton. These images remind us of the scale of these storms and the importance of science in helping us understand and prepare for them. As Milton approaches Florida, disrupting missions and prompting evacuations, it’s clear that the tools NASA provides can help communities stay informed and ready for what comes next.
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