Electric Clouds This Summer
Noctilucent clouds, or "night-shining" clouds, are increasingly visible in the Northern Hemisphere due to climate change and rocket activity. These high-altitude clouds at 50 miles above Earth are studied for climate change indicators.
Read original article
Noctilucent clouds, also known as "night-shining" clouds, are becoming more visible in the Northern Hemisphere due to factors like global climate change and rocket activity. These high-altitude clouds, located about 50 miles above the Earth's surface, are sensitive to changes in temperature and water vapor in the upper atmosphere. Long-term studies suggest an increase in their brightness and frequency, potentially indicating climate change. Noctilucent clouds can be observed with binoculars and photographed, with citizen scientist projects helping track them. They are most visible from May to September, with a peak around July 11. Recent underwater volcanic activity and rocket launches may contribute to their brightness this year. These clouds, with their electric appearance and cool palette, offer a unique spectacle in the twilight sky, making this summer an ideal time for skywatchers to observe them.
Related
Astronomers see a black hole awaken in real time
A massive black hole in galaxy SDSS1335+0728 has unexpectedly awakened, transforming it into an active galactic nucleus. This long-lasting event challenges previous astronomical knowledge on galaxy dynamics.
Scotland's skies aglow with rare clouds
Rare noctilucent clouds, with bluish or silvery hues, spotted in Scotland's various regions like Western Isles and Aberdeen. Met Office emphasizes their uniqueness, sparking fascination.
The Peculiar Phenomenon of Megacryometeors (2006)
Megacryometeors, massive ice chunks falling mysteriously worldwide, differ from hailstones. Research suggests similarities to hail in composition. Theories include atmospheric conditions, global warming, ruling out aircraft or hoaxes. Investigations continue.
A rare Stratospheric Warming event has begun over the South Pole
A rare Stratospheric Warming event over the South Pole, driven by the Polar Vortex, can impact global weather patterns. Monitoring its effects on the Northern Hemisphere is crucial for understanding interconnected weather systems.
The increasingly dominant role of climate change on length of day variations
Researchers found climate change affects Earth's Length of Day (LOD) through ice melting, impacting sea levels and oblateness. Trends show increasing climate-induced LOD and decreasing LOD due to Glacial Isostatic Adjustment. Projections suggest a significant rise in LOD rate by 2100. NASA supports this research.
5 comments"They’re lit by a twilight sun catching on ice crystals and seeded by rocket exhaust and space dust." and
"Exhaust from rockets, which have been launching in growing numbers lately, can also seed the clouds, as the AIM satellite research showed."
...are a pretty startling notion.
Should we expect, then, that this phenomena will be constant / worsening moving forward as the proliferation of rocket launches increases thereby pumping more water / alumina / particulates into the very upper atmosphere?
I'm not an alarmist normally, but taken further, then is it too hyperbolic to say that SpaceX and its high-frequency launch competitors are already changing the global weather within just a few years of ramping up operations?
Can we say with certainty that the occurrence of these clouds is not an harbinger / indicator of future weather changes? Like, does having more ultra-high altitude clouds increase or decrease greenhouse effects, for example?
Related
Astronomers see a black hole awaken in real time
A massive black hole in galaxy SDSS1335+0728 has unexpectedly awakened, transforming it into an active galactic nucleus. This long-lasting event challenges previous astronomical knowledge on galaxy dynamics.
Scotland's skies aglow with rare clouds
Rare noctilucent clouds, with bluish or silvery hues, spotted in Scotland's various regions like Western Isles and Aberdeen. Met Office emphasizes their uniqueness, sparking fascination.
The Peculiar Phenomenon of Megacryometeors (2006)
Megacryometeors, massive ice chunks falling mysteriously worldwide, differ from hailstones. Research suggests similarities to hail in composition. Theories include atmospheric conditions, global warming, ruling out aircraft or hoaxes. Investigations continue.
A rare Stratospheric Warming event has begun over the South Pole
A rare Stratospheric Warming event over the South Pole, driven by the Polar Vortex, can impact global weather patterns. Monitoring its effects on the Northern Hemisphere is crucial for understanding interconnected weather systems.
The increasingly dominant role of climate change on length of day variations
Researchers found climate change affects Earth's Length of Day (LOD) through ice melting, impacting sea levels and oblateness. Trends show increasing climate-induced LOD and decreasing LOD due to Glacial Isostatic Adjustment. Projections suggest a significant rise in LOD rate by 2100. NASA supports this research.