Aerosols Absorb; Aerosols Reflect
|
Some aerosol particles primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the atmosphere, and others can also absorb radiation and warm the surrounding air. When aerosols heat the atmosphere, they create an unstable environment where clouds can't thrive. The suppression of clouds leads to further warming of the atmosphere by solar radiation. Aerosols are a complex but critical piece of the climate puzzle, and researchers are still working to understand the role of these curious particles.
|
|
|
|
Forest fires (biomass burning) emit black soot carbon aerosol clouds. Sun rays are absorbed by these dark clouds. Some sun rays are reflected and some still travel through the cloud to the ground.
Duration: 30.0 seconds
Available formats:
1280x720 (30 fps)
Frames (Absorb)
1280x720 (30 fps)
QT
105 MB
320x180
PNG
134 KB
160x80
PNG
51 KB
80x40
PNG
15 KB
How to play our movies
|
|
|
|
Non-absorbing aerosols scatter sunlight in various directions upwards (reflect the sunlight back into the sky).
Duration: 15.0 seconds
Available formats:
1280x720 (30 fps)
Frames (Reflect)
1280x720 (30 fps)
QT
32 MB
320x180
PNG
129 KB
How to play our movies
|
|
|
|
Artist depiction of aerosols from a forest fire absorbing radiation.
Available formats:
4000 x 2250
TIFF
25 MB
320 x 180
PNG
253 KB
|
|
|
|
Artist depiction of human induced aerosols from a city reflecting solar radiation.
Available formats:
4000 x 2250
TIFF
25 MB
320 x 180
PNG
266 KB
|
|
Back to Top
|