All articles tagged with #atmospheric science
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral carrying 29 Starlink satellites produced a rare noctilucent, jellyfish-shaped cloud visible along the East Coast for a brief time before it dissipated.
A CERN CLOUD chamber study shows methanesulfonic acid (MSA) nucleates with ammonia below −10 °C at rates comparable to sulfuric acid, and forms synergistic multi-acid clusters with SA. Even with very low ammonia, MSA drives particle growth near the kinetic limit below 9 °C at relative humidity above 40%. Since MSA and SA co-occur in cool marine regions, nucleation rates could be up to ten times faster and growth up to twofold compared with SA–NH3 alone, potentially boosting CCN concentrations, especially in polar regions. Global modeling indicates MSA is an important, currently underrepresented driver of biogenic particles in cool marine atmospheres, affecting present and pre-industrial climate.
Using the European XFEL to watch the first microseconds of freezing, researchers show that disorder and impurities strongly influence nucleation, challenging classical nucleation theory; experiments on simple Lennard‑Jones liquids (krypton and argon) reveal rapid onset of crystalline order within micrometres and microseconds, with theory matching experiments only after refining assumptions. The work could improve climate models, cloud formation understanding, and insights into planetary interiors.
From June 3–13, five NASA research aircraft will fly parallel patterns over Houston and the Gulf Coast as part of the Student Airborne Research Program, using lidar, radar, and spectrometers to study atmospheric gases and coastal processes; one plane will fly as low as 1,000 feet and the flights are trackable in real time.
A mysterious green glow seen over Hawaii at sunset is explained as airglow—faint light from oxygen in the upper atmosphere—amplified and structured by gravity waves, visible mainly through cameras with long exposure rather than to the naked eye; satellites and auroras were ruled out, and scientists call for more public observations to better understand this subtle phenomenon.
Penn State researchers propose a tiny, deck-of-cards-sized solid block that could replicate the electrical conditions of a thunderstorm, triggering lightning‑like radiation via a relativistic runaway electron avalanche. The “lightning‑in‑a‑box” is theoretical for now and would require experimental confirmation with common insulating materials; if proven feasible, it could let scientists study lightning at desktop scale, reducing the cost and scale of traditional field experiments.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a high-resolution lidar that acts like a microscope for clouds, revealing new insights into cloud top structures and dynamics, which could improve climate models and weather predictions.
Researchers have successfully tested tiny sunlight-powered devices using photophoresis in near-vacuum conditions similar to Earth's upper atmosphere, opening new possibilities for exploring the ignorosphere and improving climate models, with potential applications in atmospheric research, space exploration, and satellite technology.
Japan’s weather satellites Himawari-8 and Himawari-9 accidentally captured detailed data on Venus, revealing atmospheric phenomena like thermal tides and Rossby waves, which enhance understanding of Venus’ atmosphere and can improve calibration of dedicated planetary missions.
European Space Agency's Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter used mutual radio occultation to study Mars' ionosphere, revealing new insights into its electron density, temperature, and layer behavior, challenging previous models and improving understanding of atmospheric dynamics crucial for future missions.
Satellites have revealed that volcanic ash can trigger the formation of high-altitude cirrus clouds by acting as nuclei for ice crystals, a discovery that enhances understanding of how eruptions influence Earth's climate and cloud dynamics.
A new study published in Science Advances reveals that polar oceans emit sulfur gases, particularly methanethiol, which have a greater cooling effect on the climate than previously understood. This discovery, led by researchers from Spain and the UK, highlights the role of marine sulfur in cloud formation and its impact on solar radiation reflection, challenging existing climate models. The findings underscore the importance of accurately representing these emissions in climate predictions, aiding in more precise policy-making for global warming scenarios.
NASA conducted the Vorticity Experiment (VortEx) over Northern Norway, launching rockets that released glowing artificial clouds to study atmospheric turbulence and gravity waves. These clouds, created using trimethyl aluminum, served as visual markers to reveal energy flows between atmospheric layers, crucial for understanding weather and climate dynamics. The experiment, set against the northern lights, provided insights into the turbopause, a key atmospheric region, and has implications for both Earth and planetary science.
NASA's Atmospheric Waves Experiment aboard the International Space Station captured images of gravity waves generated by Hurricane Helene, highlighting the storm's intensity and the instrument's capabilities. Gravity waves, distinct from gravitational waves, are atmospheric ripples caused by natural phenomena like hurricanes. The data, visualized in infrared wavelengths, helps scientists understand the impact of terrestrial weather on space weather, which can affect low-Earth orbit instruments and communications. Helene, a Category 4 storm, caused significant damage in the southeastern U.S., including power outages and flooding.
A recent study reveals that microplastics can promote cloud formation by acting as nuclei for ice crystals at warmer temperatures than usual, potentially affecting weather and climate. These particles, found globally, could increase precipitation and alter clouds' impact on Earth's energy balance. The study tested common microplastics, finding that their ice nucleation ability is sensitive to surface chemical changes. Further research is needed to understand microplastics' concentrations in the atmosphere and their comparative impact on cloud formation.