The Unexplained > Our Haunted Planet

NASA Satellite Finds Earth's Clouds are Getting Lower

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Avala:
Don't know if someone posted this yet, but its interesting.

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/misr20120221.html



--- Quote ---Earth's clouds got a little lower -- about one percent on average -- during the first decade of this century, finds a new NASA-funded university study based on NASA satellite data. The results have potential implications for future global climate.

Scientists at the University of Auckland in New Zealand analyzed the first 10 years of global cloud-top height measurements (from March 2000 to February 2010) from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on NASA's Terra spacecraft. The study, published recently in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, revealed an overall trend of decreasing cloud height. Global average cloud height declined by around one percent over the decade, or by around 100 to 130 feet (30 to 40 meters). Most of the reduction was due to fewer clouds occurring at very high altitudes.

Lead researcher Roger Davies said that while the record is too short to be definitive, it provides a hint that something quite important might be going on. Longer-term monitoring will be required to determine the significance of the observation for global temperatures.

A consistent reduction in cloud height would allow Earth to cool to space more efficiently, reducing the surface temperature of the planet and potentially slowing the effects of global warming. This may represent a "negative feedback" mechanism – a change caused by global warming that works to counteract it. "We don't know exactly what causes the cloud heights to lower," says Davies. "But it must be due to a change in the circulation patterns that give rise to cloud formation at high altitude."
--- End quote ---

and more . . .

venusian:
There is an article on SOTT today about this:

https://www.sott.net/articles/show/241913-ENASA-Satellite-Finds-Earth-s-Clouds-are-Getting-Lower

It is interesting. I hope someone with a grasp of what is involved will make public more information on the implications. It does seem to be pointing in the direction toward potential ice age, rather than in the opposite direction.

Yozilla:

--- Quote ---"We don't know exactly what causes the cloud heights to lower,"
--- End quote ---

Maybe because clouds are "heavier" due to acquiring more and more precipitation "potential"... :huh:

Laura:
I've been writing about this for awhile as the reason there are more contrails.  It is certainly gratifying to know that my little theory is correct.  And yes, as the article says, it seems to be indicative of something very important, but they don't know what...

Windmill knight:

--- Quote ---Global average cloud height declined by around one percent over the decade, or by around 100 to 130 feet (30 to 40 meters). Most of the reduction was due to fewer clouds occurring at very high altitudes.
--- End quote ---

Funny, in other words the clouds are lower because they are not higher!  :lol:


--- Quote ---A consistent reduction in cloud height would allow Earth to cool to space more efficiently, reducing the surface temperature of the planet and potentially slowing the effects of global warming. This may represent a "negative feedback" mechanism – a change caused by global warming that works to counteract it. "We don't know exactly what causes the cloud heights to lower," says Davies. "But it must be due to a change in the circulation patterns that give rise to cloud formation at high altitude."
--- End quote ---

Oh I see! If there are indications to believe Earth is heathing or might be heating, then that proves global warming. But if there are indications of cooling now or in the near future, then that's caused by global warming too (although the guy explicitly says they don't know what's causing the clouds to lower); and it's also good news because that will ameloriate global warming! Gotta love the Wonderland logic of scientists who start with conclusions and then fix the data around it.  :nuts:

Anyway, I do think this is very big and significant news, most likely a sign that the atmosphere is indeed cooling as a prelude to an ice-age.

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