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21 Jul 08 - Here’s a theory from a
reader clouds that makes as much sense to me as anything else I’ve
heard.
Dear Robert,
I have been watching the articles about noctilucent clouds (NLC) on the
Spaceweather.com site for a year now and have been amazed at how folks
are in wonderment over these high flying ice crystal formations, but
have no explanation for their occurrence.
Recently these clouds have been spotted over the USA, a previously
unknown romping ground for the clouds. The sighting of NLCs over more
area of the northern latitudes has still not sparked a debate on the
website over the causes, except to make several just shrug their
shoulders.
My humble belief is that these clouds are tied into the reduced solar
activity we are seeing in the latest cycle. These clouds form at very
high altitudes and are not water vapor ice, but are other chemicals and
gases that have reached their ice stage in the 45 - 65 mile altitude.
When the solar winds are low, the clouds are forming or may be more
readily seen since the aurora won't be as visible. This is based on my
observance of the solar wind numbers posted daily at the sight and the
articles and pictures posted there as well and their concurrence. Now I
could be wrong and probably am wrong about this, however, while the
collective is looking the other way, nature is posting reminders as to
what is coming down the pike.
Intense cold that is making its' way down through the
atmosphere from space can cause the snap changes in the upper latitudes
of the planet. Won't take much to create more long-term "arctic
express" weather patterns that we have already experienced in the
plains. A blizzard that moves through in one day could very well become
a multiple day event fed with gulf moisture and non-stop arctic cold.
Today, the solar wind speed is 302.8
km/sec. The aurora is above the Arctic line and is weak. There are NLC
clouds visible in Iran. The upper atmosphere is very cold and the lack
of solar activity is doing it. Sunspot 1000 is fading fast.
I predict that when the NLC clouds are seen around the Texas latitudes,
watch out. Cold is on the way. And, not the cold that is strictly
winter. I believe that these clouds are a precursor to the change.
Please monitor Spaceweather.com.
Thanks for your website and the
articles that continue to enlighten me.
Dave Ballard
PS - I have no connection with the site except thru curiosity.
See another photo of noctilucent
clouds
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080702.html
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