Rare cloud formation seen in Antarctica - nacreous or polar stratospheric clouds

AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/1/06 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

HOBART, Australia - Some of the coldest temperatures on Earth brought a rare cloud formation to the skies over Antarctica, scientists said Tuesday.

Meteorological officer Renae Baker captured spectacular images of the nacreous clouds, also known as polar stratospheric clouds, last week at Australia's Mawson station in Antarctica.

The clouds only occur at high polar latitudes in winter, requiring temperatures less than minus 176 degrees Fahrenheit. A weather balloon measured temperatures at minus 189 degrees Fahrenheit on the day the photos were taken.

Resembling airborne mother-of-pearl shells, the clouds are produced when fading light at sunset passes through water-ice crystals blown along a strong jet of stratospheric air more than six miles above the ground.

"Amazingly, the winds at this height were blowing at nearly 230 kilometers (143 miles) per hour," Baker said on the Australian government's Antarctic Division's Web site.

Australian Antarctic Division atmospheric scientist Andrew Klekociuk said the clouds are seldom seen, but are occasionally produced by air passing over polar mountains.

"You have to be in the right part of the world in winter, and have the sun just below your horizon to see them," he said.

[NormsRevenge]

In this photo released by the Australian Antarctic Division, the rare and spectacular nacreous cloud (top) is seen high in the stratosphere some 20 kilometers (12 miles) above Australia's Mawson station in Antarctica, on July 25, 2006. The extremely cold temperatures below minus 85 degrees Celsius (minus 121 degrees Fahrenheit) in the rarefied atmosphere show delicate Mother-of-Pearl shell colors produced when the fading light of the Antarctic sunset passed through tiny water-ice crystals blown along on a strong jet of stratospheric air. (AP Photo/Australian Antarctic Division, Renae Baker,HO)

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On the Net: http://www.aad.gov.au/

[NormsRevenge]

There are a couple other nice shots at the link above.

[FReepaholic]

The same article in the Daily Mail was headlined with "Could Indicate Global Warming"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=398592&in_page_id=1811

From now one you'll see more and more "could indicate global warming" crap.

[rhombus]

I looked and I looked again. I couldn't find any mention at all about global warming. What's up with that AP? Didn't you get the talking points memo? /sarc

[Crazieman]

The link on drudge screams "Incontrovertable proof of global warming"

[FReepaholic]

one = on

[Ben Mugged]

[Esther Ruth]

Quick, everyone get down to Mexico!

[houeto]

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks, I saw that article initially, ended up posting this one.

It's pretty cool stuff in the skies regardless what or who is causing it. ;-)

[houeto]

[jdm]

[Holicheese]

Ummmmmmm, looks like a cloud to me.

[MEGoody]

Extremely cold temps? But, but, but. . .all that talk about global warming??!!

[No Blue States]

Wow, Great pic.

[steveo]

Reminds me of Noctilucent clouds

[NormsRevenge]

Wow, Those are cool. almost like a plasma cloud or something from a tesla globe,, APOD for sure, Thanks!

[Carl LaFong]

Bush's fault----ha ha..got it in first.

[theDentist]

It's the end of the world as we know it,
It's the end of the world as we know it,
It's the end of the world as we know it,
And I feel fine!

[mattdono]

From now one you'll see more and more "could indicate global warming" crap.

Of course, you're right. And this seemingly benign, but purposeful device, can be used to promote the enviro-whacko agenda.

To head off the effectiveness, I suggest that this phrase be used for everything that you need to explain. For example:

• I came home from dinner last night. My stomach was really hurting and I couldn't stop sweating. It's probably the 4-alarm chili that I had...or, it could indicate global warming.
• I had to mow the lawn the other day and, man, I was sweating like crazy. I could be that it is because I live in Floriday and it's July, but it also could indicate global warming.
• I have this really bad itch in a very private place...it could be the effects of those Tijiuana hookers I met while on vacation, or it could indicate global warming

See? No matter how ridiculous, it seems to fit.

And, ah, for the record, I have never been to Tijiuana. [wink]