In news– NASA has released a picture of Mammatus clouds and termed it as Astronomy Picture of the Day on February 12 2023.
What are Mammatus Clouds?
- Mammatus clouds are among the most extraordinary and easily recognizable cloud formations, with a pattern of protuberances or sacs extending from the base of the cloud.
- The shapes of mammatus formations can vary greatly; they can range from the typical bulging shape to a more elongated tube dangling from the cloud above.
- These clouds generally appear in connection with substantial cumulonimbus clouds.
- The turbulence within the cumulonimbus often leads to the formation of Mammatus clouds, particularly on the bottom of the projecting anvil as it quickly descends to lower altitudes.
- This breaks from the conventional upward growth process of cloud formation, resulting in an irregular cloud base.
- These clouds usually emerge in association with Cumulonimbus clouds, which bring thunderstorms due to their massive quantity of unstable air.
Note:
Astronomy Picture of the Day is a website provided by NASA and Michigan Technological University. According to the website, each day a different image or photograph of our universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
Source: Hindustan Times
