ISS004-E-11807
| NASA Photo ID | ISS004-E-11807 |
| Focal Length | 35mm |
| Date taken | 2002.05.15 |
| Time taken | 06:44:43 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
1000 x 790 pixels 540 x 427 pixels 540 x 426 pixels 1000 x 790 pixels 3032 x 2064 pixels 639 x 435 pixels
1000 x 790 pixels 540 x 427 pixels 540 x 426 pixels 1000 x 790 pixels 3032 x 2064 pixels 639 x 435 pixels
Cloud masks available for this image:
Spacecraft nadir point: 46.6° N, 7.9° E
Photo center point: 46.0° N, 6.0° E
Photo center point by machine learning:
Photo center point: 46.0° N, 6.0° E
Photo center point by machine learning:
Nadir to Photo Center: West
Spacecraft Altitude: 204 nautical miles (378km)
Country or Geographic Name: | FRANCE |
Features: | RHONE VALLEY, ALPS, CONTRAILS |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 10 (1-10)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | 27° |
Sun Azimuth: | 91° |
Camera: | Kodak DCS760c Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 35mm |
Camera Tilt: | 30 degrees |
Format: | 3060E: 3060 x 2036 pixel CCD, RGBG array |
Film Exposure: | |
| Additional Information | |
| Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 pixels | 790 pixels | Photographic Highlights | Download Image | ||
| 540 pixels | 427 pixels | Photographic Highlights | Download Image | ||
| 540 pixels | 426 pixels | Yes | Yes | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 1000 pixels | 790 pixels | No | Yes | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
| 3032 pixels | 2064 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 639 pixels | 435 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
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Image Caption: This digital photograph taken through the windows of the International Space Station on May 15, 2002, shows condensation trails over the Rhone Valley in the region west of Lyon. Condensation trails--or contrails--are straight lines of ice crystals that form in the wake of jet liners where air temperatures at altitude are lower than about -40degC.
Newer contrails are thin whereas older trails have widened with time as a result of light winds. Because of this tendency for thin contrails to cover greater areas with time, it is estimated that these "artificial clouds" cover 0.1% of the planet's surface. Percentages are far higher in some places such as southern California, the Ohio River Valley and parts of Europe, as illustrated here.
The climatic impact of such clouds is poorly understood. In an unprecedented experiment following the September 11 grounding of all aircraft in the United States, researchers reported in the August 8 issue of Nature that temperatures in areas usually affected by contrail blankets fluctuated higher and lower during the contrail-free period. Despite this dramatic conclusion, it is nevertheless too early to know whether contrails produce a net warming or cooling of the atmosphere. Whereas cirrus clouds seem to have a net warming effect, contrails are denser and thus may produce the opposite effect.
References:
Travis, D. J., Carleton, A. M. and R. G. Lauritsen. 2002. Contrails reduce daily temperature range. Nature 418:601.
9/11 study: Air traffic affects climate (CNN) (//www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/08/07/contrails.climate/index.html)
Newer contrails are thin whereas older trails have widened with time as a result of light winds. Because of this tendency for thin contrails to cover greater areas with time, it is estimated that these "artificial clouds" cover 0.1% of the planet's surface. Percentages are far higher in some places such as southern California, the Ohio River Valley and parts of Europe, as illustrated here.
The climatic impact of such clouds is poorly understood. In an unprecedented experiment following the September 11 grounding of all aircraft in the United States, researchers reported in the August 8 issue of Nature that temperatures in areas usually affected by contrail blankets fluctuated higher and lower during the contrail-free period. Despite this dramatic conclusion, it is nevertheless too early to know whether contrails produce a net warming or cooling of the atmosphere. Whereas cirrus clouds seem to have a net warming effect, contrails are denser and thus may produce the opposite effect.
References:
Travis, D. J., Carleton, A. M. and R. G. Lauritsen. 2002. Contrails reduce daily temperature range. Nature 418:601.
9/11 study: Air traffic affects climate (CNN) (//www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/08/07/contrails.climate/index.html)
