+ Visit NASA.gov + Advanced Search   + About the Server   + Animation List   + How to Use the Server   + RSS Feeds   + Podcasts   + Opportunities Previous Animation Next Animation 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 Animation Number: 10389 Completed: 2009-02-19 Animator: Megan Willy (UMBC) (Lead) Producer: Maria Frostic (UMBC) Scientist: Michael Mischenko (NASA/GISS) Goddard TV Tape: G2008-047 -- Glory Resource Reel Keywords: SVS >> Aerosols DLESE >> Atmospheric science SVS >> Climate SVS >> Clouds SVS >> Earth Science SVS >> HDTV DLESE >> Human geography DLESE >> Natural hazards SVS >> Pollution SVS >> Reflectance SVS >> Reflected Solar Radiation SVS >> Reflectivity GCMD >> EARTH SCIENCE >> Atmosphere >> Aerosols >> Cloud Condensation Nuclei GCMD >> EARTH SCIENCE >> Atmosphere >> Atmospheric Radiation >> Absorption GCMD >> EARTH SCIENCE >> Atmosphere >> Atmospheric Radiation >> Reflectance GCMD >> EARTH SCIENCE >> Human Dimensions >> Natural Hazards >> Fires SVS >> Climate Change More Information on this topic available at: http://glory.gsfc.nasa.gov     Please give credit for this item to NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Back to Top + Privacy Policy and Important Notices + Reproduction Guidelines NASA Official: Content Contact: Curator: