Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is not just a classic 1980s comedy. These things are also a big part of NIST’s history. Our researchers have: ✈️ created systems to help planes land in poor visibility conditions. 🚂 helped keep train wheels from failing. 🚌 defined the color standard for the school bus. Drive over to the latest Taking Measure blog post to learn more: https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/planes-trains-and-automobiles-nist-edition (fb)

Weather forecasting, mineral prospecting and farming all could improve from a trove of data NIST recently gathered about moonlight, late at night and far above the clouds. The new measurements of the Moon’s brightness — 10 times more accurate than previously available data — are valuable for calibrating visual sensors aboard Earth-observing satellites. Proper calibration can help ensure that these satellites are accurately recording the actual amounts and colors of light from the ground, water and vegetation far below. NIST obtained its new set of moonlight measurements by deploying equipment on a high-altitude NASA aircraft. The new dataset improves on previous lunar irradiance models, which could show how a sensor’s performance was changing over time but made it difficult to know if and how the Earth itself was changing. Accurate, consistent calibration among satellites would enable observers on the ground to spot any changes more effectively. Learn more: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2025/05/nist-moonlight-data-will-help-satellites-get-more-accurate-look-earth (fb)