The Mars rover Perseverance has discovered a rock covered in 'leopard spots' — potential biosignatures of ancient microbial life. Mission spectroscopist Tim Elam and the entire NASA team are thrilled, but urge caution because these structures can have a non-biological origin.

EDGE (Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer) and three other proposed satellite missions received the green light to develop full concept studies. For glaciologist Ben Smith, implementation of EDGE would provide detailed maps of the rapidly changing features of ice sheets that are driving the evolution of the cyrosphere.

A successful deployment of the Sigma Profiler in the San Francisco Bay estuary demonstrates a new method to monitor daily changes in salinity stratification. In fall 2021 it captured 'bomb cyclone' flood events, giving resource managers an accurate assessment of how quickly fresh water moves through the system.

The launch of NASA's PACE satellite in early 2024 begins a new era in observing Earth's oceans and atmosphere. The first data beamed back from PACE's Ocean Color Instrument are showing, more clearly than ever before, spatial patterns in phytoplankton population distribution.

The report showcases some of the amazing feats of science and engineering performed by the Lab's dedicated and talented staff over the past year.