National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Their reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as they work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them.

From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA's products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America's gross domestic product. NOAA's dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.

NOAA's roots date back to 1807, when the Nation's first scientific agency, the Survey of the Coast, was established. Since then, NOAA has evolved to meet the needs of a changing country. NOAA maintains a presence in every state and has emerged as an international leader on scientific and environmental matters.

Collaborator Contributions

A Turtle Excluder Device (TED) enables a loggerhead turtle to escape from a net.

Loggerhead Escapes from Fishing Net

A Turtle Excluder Device (TED) enables a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) to escape from a fishing net. Technological advancements like this are helping to prevent deaths of unintended marine bycatch. Loggerhead turtles are considered to be threatened and endangered (depending on the specific population) and the their greatest threat is unintended catch in fishing gear.

Glowing Shortnose Greeneye Fish

A Shortnose Greeneye Fish Aglow

Under white light, this shortnose greeneye fish (Chlorophthalmus agassizi) looks unimpressive. But, in dim blue light—the type usually seen at depth—it shows its true fluorescent colors.

NOAA scientists collected this specimen during a 2004 expedition for optical studies.  The scientists believe the green flouresence of the fish’s eye lenses help it detect prey better in dimly lit water. 

Photograph of the underside of a gelatinous octopus with a bright yellow bioluminescent ring around her mouth.

Bioluminescent Octopod

The yellow bioluminescent ring on this female octopus (Bolitaena pygmaea) may attract mates. Bioluminescence is an important adaptation that helps many deep sea animals survive in their dark world.

Giant Isopod from the Gulf of Mexico

Giant Isopod

This giant isopod (a crustacean related to shrimps and crabs) was collected from the cold, deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico in 2006. Scientists believe that it is one of about nine species in the genus Bathynomus.

Crown of Thorns Starfish in the Marianas Islands

Crown of Thorns Starfish

A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) on a reef in the Marianas Islands. An “outbreak” of these coral-eating starfish can decimate a reef.

Mystery Photo: Prickly Puzzler on the Reef

Mystery Photo: Prickly Puzzler on the Reef

What is this bizarre, spiky-looking organism? Hint: it can be found in tropical areas of the Pacific and Indian ocean basins crawling slowly over coral reefs and devouring any living coral polyps that it encounters. “Outbreaks” of this organism can devastate entire reef systems. Click here to reveal the answer.

Starfish from Prince William Sound, Alaska

Ocean Treasure: Starfish on the Alaskan Coast

Whether trash or treasures, natural objects or man-made castaways, things that wash up on the shoreline can be fascinating. A keen eye while strolling the beach can uncover hidden beauties like this starfish from the coast of Prince William Sound, Alaska. If you found something interesting, weird, or beautiful on the beach this summer, share it with our Trash and Treasures Group on Flickr!

A screen capture from NOAA's NowCoast website which displays real-time weather data, including current speeds, projected hazards, temperature and wind speed.

NOAA's Real Time Weather Mapping

A screen capture from NOAA's NowCoast website which displays real-time weather data, including current speeds, projected hazards, temperature and wind speed.

Gulf Coast of Florida tidal flats exposed by an early morning low tide.

Low Tide on the Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast of Florida tidal flats exposed by an early morning low tide

Two divers prepare to explore the Lusitania shipwreck in 1935.

Divers Explore the Lusitania Shipwreck

Two divers, one in an atmospheric dive suit (left) and the other in standard dive gear (right), prepare to explore the Lusitania shipwreck in 1935. Over the decades, diving gear has evolved and changed, and its role in marine research has expanded. Scuba and other forms of diving have allowed scientists to explore places and encounter species otherwise hidden from human eyes.

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Collaborator Lesson Plans

Understanding Sea Level Using Real Data
6-8

The Good the Bad and the Arctic
9-12

Off Base
9-12

The Puzzle of Ice Age Americans
9-12

Benthic Drug Store
3-5

Oceans of Energy
6-8

Frozen Out
6-8

Calling All Explorers
6-8, 9-12

Wreck Detectives
3-5, 6-8

Animals of the Fire Ice
6-8

How Diverse is That?
9-12

Keep it Complex
9-12

Where There’s Smoke…
9-12

A Tale of Deep Corals
9-12

I, Robot, Can Do That
6-8