An experiment aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-107) has uncovered a new phenomenon. Researchers made the discovery studying the role of aerosol particles in global climate changes.
The Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment (MEIDEX) is gathering data about aerosol plumes emitted from deserts. MEIDEX builds on previous studies that showed aerosol particles might be one of the primary agents that can offset warming.
MEIDEX is a joint project of the Israel Space Agency and NASA. Israel’s first astronaut, Ilan Ramon, is a member of the STS-107 crew.
More information about MEIDEX is available on the Internet at:
http://spaceresearch.nasa.gov/sts-107/107_MEIDEX.pdf