All articles tagged with #clouds
The James Webb Space Telescope detected phase‑dependent cloud formation on the hot exoplanet WASP‑94 A b during transit, revealing thick clouds on the night side that form and dissipate as winds move them onto the day side; the clouds are likely mineral droplets due to dayside temperatures around 1,600 K, offering new insight into how exoplanetary atmospheres weather and rotate.
Astronomers using data from JAXA's Akatsuki probe identify the largest hydraulic jump in the solar system, where turbulence in Venus's lower cloud layer triggers a strong updraft that lofts sulfuric acid vapor into the upper clouds, creating a giant, slow-moving cloud front.
NASA's Earth Observatory image from March 19, 2026 captures a dramatic mix of cloud formations off the Gulf of Alaska—cloud streets formed by cold Arctic air over warmer water, evolving into open-cell clouds, plus von Kármán vortex streets and a polar low with tropical-storm–force winds—illustrating the turbulent transition from winter to spring as Arctic air interacts with the Gulf's ocean heat.
Clouds remain the biggest uncertainty in climate projections, pushing researchers to blend physics with AI. Projects like CLIMA and ACE2 train neural networks on real atmospheric data and high‑resolution cloud simulations to emulate cloud effects more accurately and, in some cases, to forecast with far less computational cost than traditional Navier‑Stokes–based models. CLIMA refines cloud parameters through large-eddy simulations to double model accuracy, while ACE2 uses data-driven forecasts to capture cloud-influenced dynamics and speed up predictions, sparking debate over long-term reliability and the best balance between data and physics.
Recent research shows that Earth's increasing heat is mainly due to changes in cloud behavior and surface warming, rather than reductions in air pollution or aerosols, highlighting the importance of natural climate variability in global warming.
A recent study reveals that a decrease in Earth's reflectivity due to fewer low clouds in key regions like the North Atlantic and tropics contributed significantly to the 2023 global temperature surge, adding extra solar energy to the system and accelerating warming beyond greenhouse gases and El Niño effects.
A reanalysis of 1970s Pioneer Venus data suggests Venus's clouds contain mostly water bound in hydrates, challenging the previous belief that they are primarily sulfuric acid, which has significant implications for the possibility of life in Venus's clouds.
Reanalysis of 1970s Pioneer Venus data reveals Venus' clouds are primarily composed of water bound in hydrates, challenging previous beliefs that they were mainly sulfuric acid, which has significant implications for the possibility of life in Venus' clouds.
New research demonstrates that dust significantly influences cloud freezing, with satellite data showing regions with more dust have more ice-topped clouds, which could impact climate models by affecting how clouds reflect sunlight and trap heat.
Scientists have discovered that trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, live in clouds and influence weather patterns, cloud formation, and even the spread of antibiotic resistance genes globally, revealing a complex and vital ecosystem high in the atmosphere.
NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter captured a rare view of Arsia Mons, one of Mars' largest volcanoes, emerging from clouds near dawn, highlighting its impressive height and the unique water ice clouds that surround it, offering insights into Martian atmospheric phenomena.
NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter captured a rare panoramic view of Arsia Mons, the largest volcano on Mars, peeking above clouds at dawn, providing valuable insights into Martian weather and volcanic features. The image was taken by the orbiter flipping on its side to view the planet's limb, marking one of its few such captures in 2023 before the mission's end.
NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter captured a panoramic image of Arsia Mons, one of the largest volcanoes on Mars, peeking above morning clouds, providing insights into the planet's atmospheric and surface features, and marking a significant achievement in Martian observation since its launch in 2001.
A paraglider in China's Qilian Mountains was sucked into a cloud and ascended to 8,598 meters, suffering frostbite but surviving, prompting an investigation into regulatory violations as he lacked proper flight clearance.
A new study published in Science suggests that the rapid global warming observed last year was partly due to a decrease in low-lying clouds over oceans, which reduced Earth's albedo, allowing more sunlight to be absorbed. This decline in cloud cover, potentially exacerbated by global warming itself, could mean future warming projections are underestimated. The study highlights the complex role clouds play in climate dynamics and the need to understand their behavior to predict future climate changes accurately.