Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Thick clouds reflect a large amount of incoming solar radiation, translating to a high albedo. Thin clouds tend to transmit more solar radiation and, therefore, have a low albedo. Changes in cloud albedo caused by variations in cloud properties have a significant effect on global climate , having the ability to spiral into feedback loops.
The clouds do not become that color; they are reflecting long and unscattered rays of sunlight, which are predominant at those hours. The effect is much like if a person were to shine a red spotlight on a white sheet. In combination with large, mature thunderheads this can produce blood-red clouds.
Sunlight shining through clouds, giving rise to crepuscular rays over Lake Hāwea, New Zealand. Crepuscular rays, sometimes colloquially referred to as god rays, are sunbeams that originate when the Sun appears to be just above or below a layer of clouds, during the twilight period. [1]
Consequently, without the sun's heat, air cools, causing water droplets (or clouds) to revert to invisible vapor. "Along with the sudden darkness came a change in the clouds' color," Rao wrote of ...
"On any given day, about half of Earth is covered by clouds, which reflect more sunlight than land and water. Clouds keep Earth cool by reflecting sunlight, but they can also serve as blankets to trap warmth." [61] Albedo and climate in some areas are affected by artificial clouds, such as those created by the contrails of heavy commercial ...
When a veil of clouds drapes the sky, be on the lookout for sun dogs -- pieces of rainbows that glow to the left and right of the sun. They often appear in pairs when sunlight shines through thin ...
While watching the upcoming solar eclipse, see if you can spy any puffy, shallow clouds before the marvelous natural phenomenon wipes them from the sky. Why some clouds vanish during solar ...
Sunlight is a portion of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, in particular infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. On Earth, sunlight is scattered and filtered through Earth's atmosphere as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon.