File:Open and Closed Cell Clouds over the Pacific Ocean (MODIS 2023-12-16).jpg
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Summary
[edit]DescriptionOpen and Closed Cell Clouds over the Pacific Ocean (MODIS 2023-12-16).jpg |
English: On December 14, 2023, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired a true-color image of a gorgeous bank of stratocumulus clouds over the Pacific Ocean. This stunning bank contained several forms of stratocumulus, including closed-cell and open-cell clouds and the less-common form known as actinoform clouds.
Closed-cell clouds look similar to a capped honeycomb from above, stuffed with fluffy-looking clouds in the center. On the other hand, open-celled clouds appear more like empty honeycombs, with a clear center and a thin line of cloud around the hexagonal border of the cell. The main difference between the two cloud types relates to the flow of air. Moist, warm air rises in the center of closed cells and sinks around the edges. Open-cell clouds have air sinking in the center of cells and rising along the edges. In both cases, clouds form when parcels of warm air rise, expand, and cool enough for water vapor to condense into liquid droplets. Unlike the previous two types of cloud, actinoform clouds are not built on a hexagonal framework. Instead, they often appear leaf-shaped, radial, or look like a wheel with prominent, cloud-lined spokes. A beautiful example of an actinoform cloud can be seen in the lower right corner of the image. |
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Date | Taken on 14 December 2023 | ||
Source |
Open and Closed Cell Clouds over the Pacific Ocean (direct link)
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Author | MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC |
This media is a product of the Aqua mission Credit and attribution belongs to the mission team, if not already specified in the "author" row |
Licensing
[edit]Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse |
This file is in the public domain in the United States because it was solely created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted". (See Template:PD-USGov, NASA copyright policy page or JPL Image Use Policy.) | ||
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current | 05:05, 16 December 2023 | 4,091 × 3,216 (1.95 MB) | OptimusPrimeBot (talk | contribs) | #Spacemedia - Upload of http://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/images/image12162023_250m.jpg via Commons:Spacemedia |
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