Tag

Gravity Waves

All articles tagged with #gravity waves

science29 days ago•8 min saved

Venus May Harbor Ring-shaped Polarization Signals From Atmospheric Waves

A 2010 Venus observation with the Extreme Polarimeter showed possible concentric rings visible only in polarized light; initially suspected as an instrument artifact, simulations indicate 5–10% upper-atmosphere density variations caused by atmospheric gravity waves could produce similar rings. The signal hasn’t yet been replicated, but the authors published their findings to spur further observations with newer polarimeters, which could reveal how Venus’ atmospheric waves transport energy and relate to its famous superrotation.

via ScienceAlert|

#atmosphere #gravity-waves #polarization

science2 months ago•5 min saved

Typhoon Sinlaku Sparks Upper-Atmosphere Gravity Waves

NASA’s Earth Observatory reports that Super Typhoon Sinlaku’s rapid intensification generated atmospheric gravity waves visible as mesosphere airglow in VIIRS imagery from NOAA-20, while complementary stratospheric waves were detected by AIRS on Aqua; as the cyclone strengthened from category 2 to 5, the waves radiated outward in a cone, highlighting how convection in intense storms can influence the upper atmosphere and potentially improve storm monitoring and weather/space-weather forecasting.

via NASA Science (.gov)|

#airglow #gravity-waves #mesosphere

science3 months ago•5 min saved

Hawaii's Emerald Sunset: Airglow and Gravity Waves Explain the Green Sky

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.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#airglow #atmospheric-science #gravity-waves

science7 months ago•5 min saved

Japan’s Akatsuki Venus Orbiter Quieted After 15-Year Mission, Revealing the Solar System’s Largest Gravity Wave

Japan’s Akatsuki Venus orbiter, launched in 2010, ended operations in September 2025 after a dramatic comeback from a failed entry and a five-year drift. During more than a decade in Venus orbit it mapped the atmosphere in UV and IR, advanced understanding of super-rotation, and documented a 6,200-mile-long stationary gravity wave—the largest in the Solar System—before mission control shut down and archived the data for future study.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#akatsuki #gravity-waves #isas

science1 year ago•3 min saved

NASA's Artificial Clouds Illuminate Norwegian Skies

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.

via The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel|

#artificial-clouds #atmospheric-science #gravity-waves

science1 year ago•2 min saved

NASA Captures Gravity Waves from Hurricane Helene 55 Miles Above Earth

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.

via Gizmodo|

#atmospheric-science #gravity-waves #hurricane-helene

science1 year ago•2 min saved

Hurricane Helene's Gravity Waves Captured from Space

Hurricane Helene, which recently hit Florida's Gulf Coast, not only caused destruction on land but also triggered significant gravity waves in Earth's atmosphere, reaching altitudes near the edge of space. These waves, observed by the Atmospheric Waves Experiment on the International Space Station, are formed by the interaction of different atmospheric layers and are crucial for understanding space weather interactions. Unlike gravitational waves, gravity waves are common and have been observed on other planets as well.

via IFLScience|

#atmosphere #gravity-waves #hurricane-helene

science1 year ago•2 min saved

NASA Captures Stunning Gravity Waves from Hurricane Helene

NASA's Atmospheric Waves Experiment captured images of atmospheric gravity waves from Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm. These waves, distinct from gravitational waves, are vertical ripples in the atmosphere caused by events like hurricanes. The AWE instrument on the International Space Station detects these waves by measuring airglow in the mesosphere. The images are among the first released by NASA, aiming to understand the impact of Earth's weather on space weather.

via Livescience.com|

#atmosphere #gravity-waves #hurricane-helene

science-and-environment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Gravity Waves Create Perfect Cloud Ripples Over Remote Islands"

An astronaut aboard the International Space Station captured a photo of two perfectly aligned wave clouds above the Crozet Islands in the Southern Ocean. These wave clouds, formed by air oscillating over island mountains, are rare and more commonly found over large bodies of water. The Crozet Islands are uninhabited except for a small research station studying local wildlife.

via Livescience.com|

#crozet-islands #gravity-waves #international-space-station

space-science2 years ago•2 min saved

"NASA's Atmospheric Waves Experiment Reveals Mesosphere's First Images in 'First Light'"

NASA's Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) has captured its first images of the mesosphere from the International Space Station (ISS), confirming the instrument is functioning as designed. AWE aims to study atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) in the mesopause region to understand how they form and their effects on the upper atmosphere. This research is crucial for comprehending space weather impacts on satellite operations and communication systems. AWE is led by Ludger Scherliess at Utah State University and managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

via SciTechDaily|

#atmospheric-waves-experiment #gravity-waves #mesosphere

science-and-environment3 years ago•2 min saved

Mysterious Cloud Patterns Sweep Australia

Unusual and captivating cloud formations stretching over 1,000 kilometers appeared over Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Experts speculate that gravity waves and disturbances in the stable atmosphere caused the complex patterns. The large clouds with arced edges may have been shaped by gravity waves on a larger scale, while the cloud boundaries could have been influenced by the topography below. The clouds resembled fallstreak clouds but formed at lower levels. The spectacle was short-lived, disappearing by late morning due to destabilization of the lower atmosphere.

via nasa.gov|

#atmospheric-phenomenon #australia #clouds