A stunning view of high-flying aerosol plumes in Earth's atmosphere above the South Atlantic Ocean.
Image details
Contributor:
Stocktrek Images, Inc. / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
2RG6ER4File size:
75.7 MB (873.6 KB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
6300 x 4200 px | 53.3 x 35.6 cm | 21 x 14 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
12 February 2020Photographer:
Stocktrek ImagesMore information:
February 12, 2020 - In this photograph, the presence of small airborne aerosol particles, such as sea salt and dust, has likely colored the air orange in the lower part of the atmosphere over the South Atlantic Ocean. Some of the small particles scatter shorter wavelengths (blue and green light) more than other wavelengths, enriching the dimmed light that remains with reds and oranges. Higher up, aerosols are rare and molecules of gas primarily scatter light, making that part of the atmosphere appear blue. In between, a concentrated smoke layer sits between 23 and 30 kilometers in the stratosphere. The smoke was lofted there by an unusually fierce outbreak of wildfires in Australia in 2019-2020. Several extreme fires built tall pyrocumulus clouds that lofted wildfire smoke higher than scientists have ever observed with satellites.