Images
December 27, 2014 - Dust storms off the coast of Iran and Pakistan
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This stunning true-color image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite on December 9, 2014. Streams of pale dust blow from Iran (in the northwest) and Pakistan (northeast) across the Arabian Sea. A thin veil of dust also hangs over much of the Arabian Sea.
Under the dust plumes, bright green colors swirl in the waters off the coast of Pakistan. The colors are caused primarily by sediment blown or washed into the waters. The strong winds that blew the dust aloft likely also dropped dust into the Arabian Sea. Some of the coloration may also indicate blooming of microscopic organisms, called phytoplankton.
In the southeastern corner of the image a bank of clouds shows an interesting streaking pattern. These streaks are most likely "ship tracks". Ship tracks form when very small, airborne particles emitted in the exhaust of large ships (and airplanes) attract water molecules, acting as “seeds” for clouds. These seeds are called cloud condensation nuclei. Continued accumulation of droplets on the cloud condensation nuclei forms the thin, streaky clouds like those captured in this image.
Clouds are typically bright white, as seen in the wispy clouds hovering over Iran. However, the clouds over the Arabian Sea appear light tan, similar to dust. The MODIS instrument has 36 bands which gather data, and different bands can be combined to give additional information, especially when true-color imagery raises questions. For example, dust and cloud have different thermal characteristics,so bands which record temperature can help distinguish between the two. When viewed in false-color and thermal imagery, it becomes clear that, although not bright white, the light tan bank over the Arabian Sea are, indeed, clouds.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 12/9/2014
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
This stunning true-color image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite on December 9, 2014. Streams of pale dust blow from Iran (in the northwest) and Pakistan (northeast) across the Arabian Sea. A thin veil of dust also hangs over much of the Arabian Sea.
Under the dust plumes, bright green colors swirl in the waters off the coast of Pakistan. The colors are caused primarily by sediment blown or washed into the waters. The strong winds that blew the dust aloft likely also dropped dust into the Arabian Sea. Some of the coloration may also indicate blooming of microscopic organisms, called phytoplankton.
In the southeastern corner of the image a bank of clouds shows an interesting streaking pattern. These streaks are most likely "ship tracks". Ship tracks form when very small, airborne particles emitted in the exhaust of large ships (and airplanes) attract water molecules, acting as “seeds” for clouds. These seeds are called cloud condensation nuclei. Continued accumulation of droplets on the cloud condensation nuclei forms the thin, streaky clouds like those captured in this image.
Clouds are typically bright white, as seen in the wispy clouds hovering over Iran. However, the clouds over the Arabian Sea appear light tan, similar to dust. The MODIS instrument has 36 bands which gather data, and different bands can be combined to give additional information, especially when true-color imagery raises questions. For example, dust and cloud have different thermal characteristics,so bands which record temperature can help distinguish between the two. When viewed in false-color and thermal imagery, it becomes clear that, although not bright white, the light tan bank over the Arabian Sea are, indeed, clouds.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 12/9/2014
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
