Planet Earth - Autumn 2006
NERC's award-winning free magazine, Planet Earth, is aimed at non-specialists with an interest in environmental science.
This issue is no longer in print.
* Unless specified, all articles are less than 1MB in size.
LeaderResearch and responsibility.
News Geophysicists join search for life on the red planet, English Channel mystery solved, NERC scoops two major awards, Greek fires visible from space and other stories in brief.
Science out and about Ants, forests and tsunamis at the Royal Society.
Tracing patterns in the Antarctic sky Tracking meteor trails is giving new insights into waves and tides in the upper atmosphere.
Food for thought Guy Cowlishaw investigates the bushmeat trade in Ghana.
Timing is everythingBirds find it difficult to change their breeding seasons in response to climate change.
Getting greener Reducing NERC's environmental impact.
From rainfall to riverHow water moves into lowland rivers and what happens once it gets there.
Interview with Sir David KingThe government's chief scientific advisor explains his role in
disseminating information on scientific
issues across government.
A longer version of this article can be read online.
Mass extinctions - Earth's own detox programmeMeteorites have made a big impact on planet Earth, but when it comes to mass extinctions, there could be another candidate: flood basalt eruptions.
Volcano watchThe Soufriere Hills volcano's timely lava dome collapse.
Small worldThe majority of bacteria have never been grown, analysed, or even named. This demands a new area of science - metagenomics.
The birth of an oceanViolent earthquakes are ripping apart the Afar Depression in Ethiopia.
Trapped in iceStoring carbon dioxide underground in a cage of ice.
(Cover story) Desert stormsStrong winds whip Saharan sand high into the air, influencing cloud formation and even hurricanes.
Supporting research careersHow to attract and retain the best researchers.
Bite-size and other stories in brief.