Deme

joined 2 years ago
[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Nice clouds! Cumulus humilis, mediocris down low, some Stratocumulus stratiformis above that with (Sc or Ac, hard to tell from just this) lenticularis above it, and finally a layer of Altocumulus stratiformis up above.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The lander most probably made it down in one piece. It was designed to survive an atmospheric entry on Venus and from interplanetary speeds. It almost certainly survived a reentry into Earth from a low orbit. That being said, it probably shattered in the splashdown due to the parachute not deploying.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 months ago

The longetivity of a contrail is determined by the atmospheric conditions. In sufficiently dry air no contrail is formed as the water introduced by the combustion isn't enough to raise the frost point to the ambient temperature. More humidity means that the contrail may form and even persist for a while without sublimating away (Cirrus homogenitus). If the air is even more humid, the contrail may even start to grow and change shape (turning into Cirrus homomutatus). This last case is what I suspect gets the foil hats most riled up about "chemtrails".

Bands of Cirrus homomutatus

https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/en/explanatory-remarks-and-special-clouds-cirrus.html

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 months ago

No problem, it happens.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

This could've been a quick web search on your part, but here you go:

https://www.science.org/content/article/aviation-s-dirty-secret-airplane-contrails-are-surprisingly-potent-cause-global-warming

https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate1068

Nevertheless, net radiative forcing due to contrail cirrus remains the largest single radiative-forcing component associated with aviation.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 months ago (4 children)

I will convolute this conversation further by stating that contrails (like all other clouds consisting of ice crystals) warm up the planet by letting shortwave radiation from the Sun through while being more reflective in longer infrared wavelenghts, thus trapping outgoing longwave radiation. Contrails themselves are also warming the planet up. It's a small contribution in the grand scheme, but far from a trivial one.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 6 points 2 months ago (3 children)

The fourth one of those is unfortunately an almost plausible theory. Plenty of people are seriously advocating for studies into Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) in order to mitigate climate change so that the almighty free market would have more time to fix the problem without any need for systemic change.

But that wouldn't be visible to the naked eye :D

Funnily enough, contrails like all other clouds composed of ice crystals actually warm the planet up by letting shortwave radiation from the sun through while reflecting longwave (infrared), effectively trapping heat. Thcker and lower clouds are more effective at reflecting shortwave radiation.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 months ago

Every other human around you has almost the same genes as you. Just being kind to others is already a tiny contribution to the survival of the species and the genes we share. Pretty sure one would have to be actively suicidial or a Bond villain in order to not to help the genes that survive on with every breath anybody ever takes.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It's not limited to direct reproduction of one's own genes. Keep in mind that we live in a society. Contributing to that society means helping others of our species (with almost the same genes) pass their genes on. Just being kind to others is already great. You're valid.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 months ago

Fair point, but despite how we as a society treat artists, I still think that the underlying impulse to do art is an attempt to capture the interest and appreciation of others, building social bonds. Rarely is art made without a tought of presenting it to others. This is how art seems to happen with every other species on earth that does it.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Perhaps not with conscious intent. I suppose even staying alive and contributing to a society still means that you help your relatives pass their genes on. Even gay penguins do this when they adopt an orphaned egg.

[–] Deme@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The war is bound to happen at the latest when the Himalayan mountain glaciers melt away and a sufficiently bad drought hits the region. We'll see if they have the patience to wait that long though...

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