Banner
Encounters With Giant Sharks In The Arctic

It was one of these extremely rare days of calms seas far north in the world. When visiting the...

On Water And Subsidence In Mexico City

Mexico City has the best hotel shower ever. I am not one to spend a long time in the shower, but...

Citizen Science Then And Now. Want To Play The Game?

Our cabin is situated in one of the most remote places in Norway. My family got the place in the...

World Biodiversity Day: Wetlands, Biodiversity And The Role Of Earth Observations

It is somehow ingrained in my body, I think. The appreciation of biodiversity. I know I love wetlands...

User picture.
picture for Hank Campbellpicture for Tommaso Dorigopicture for Heidi Hendersonpicture for Sascha Vongehrpicture for Michael Whitepicture for Patrick Lockerby
Bente Lilja ByeRSS Feed of this column.

Earth science expert and astrophysicist writes about Earth observation, geodesy, climate change, geohazards, water cycle and other science related topics.

Today I do research and provide... Read More »

 Blogroll
Taming The N-headed Science Troll: Using New Media As A Communication Tool Within The Science And Technology Community.

Taming The N-headed Science Troll: Using New Media As A Communication Tool Within The Science And Technology Community.

May 17 2011 | comment(s)

Anyone who have been working in a multidisciplinary science project knows how hard it is to establish coherent dialogs that make sense and are productive for all participants. Scientists from each discipline tend to form their own 'head' creating an unmanageable n-headed troll. Implementation of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) is such a project. In this article I discuss how we can use new media to facilitate an effective dialog that connects all GEOSS science and technology stakeholders, the citizens that will both build and use GEOSS.
Natural Hazards: Are Nevada Leaders About To Commit Political Suicide?

Natural Hazards: Are Nevada Leaders About To Commit Political Suicide?

Apr 01 2011 | comment(s)

Have you noticed that whenever a [natural]disaster strikes we quickly look around to find a guilty party? The first place we look is among politicians. The politicians are not to blame for the natural disaster of course, at least not the nature part of it. The dimensions of the disaster can however fairly easily be tracked back to humans, more specifically to the political leadership who are responsible for managing both natural and human resources.

Tohoku-oki tsunami damages
Japan Tohoku Earthquake And Tsunami Warnings – Reading The Signals I

Japan Tohoku Earthquake And Tsunami Warnings – Reading The Signals I

Mar 21 2011 | comment(s)

At the Top of the World.
The massive 9.0 M earthquake at Tohoku, Japan, 11. March 2011 literally shook the entire planet. The signals were read even at the top of the world, close to the north pole. Read on to learn about earthquake and tsunami observations in general before you take a look at the unique earthquake recordings from the high-north.

by Bente Lilja Bye and Ove Christian Dahl Omang

Norwegain Mapping Authority's Geodetic Laboratory in Ny-Ålesund, Norway
Ny-Ålesund Geodetic Laboratory, Svalbard, Norway. Credit: Ove Christian Dahl Omang
The San José Mine In Chile - And Space

The San José Mine In Chile - And Space

Oct 14 2010 | comment(s)

Human presence in space enable us to do more than just observe Earth from a far. We develop space technology that come in handy here on Earth in numerous applications. Or, as is so touchingly demonstrated in the Chilean miners rescue 'miracle', we learn more about the human species (medical and psychological) so that we can literally help save human lives under extreme conditions here on Earth.

san jose mine map
The San Jose mine in Chile as seen from space. Credit: NASA
How Hard Science Saves Lives

How Hard Science Saves Lives

Sep 09 2010 | comment(s)

The debate on hard and soft science seems to still be on – also here on Science2.0. As a representative of several hard sciences (mathematics, physics, theoretical astrophysics, geodesy...) I have always been annoyed by variations over the statement 'no, I want to save lives, therefore not do [hard]science' often presented with a moral indignation as toppings.

oil platform
World Water Week 2010 - Space Perspectives On Inland Water Bodies

World Water Week 2010 - Space Perspectives On Inland Water Bodies

Sep 06 2010 | comment(s)

This week is World Water Week. The big event takes place in Stockholm Sweden where Stockholm International Water Institute SIWI is organizing this yearly event. The World Water Week is an unique forum for the exchange of views and experiences between scientific, business, policy and civic sectors from around the globe.