Aerosols Impact Cloud Formation

  • Released Thursday, February 19, 2009
  • Updated Friday, November 20, 2015 at 11:08AM
  • ID: 10387

Aerosols are complex particles; they occur in nature and can also be generated by human activity. One important new area of aerosol research involves how aerosols impact clouds. Without aerosols, clouds could not exist. Aerosol particles serve as condensation nuclei for water vapor in the atmosphere. Atmospheric water molecules are drawn to aerosol particles like magnets, forming water droplets and eventually creating a cloud. The introduction of a larger number of aerosols will modify cloud's natural properties, leading to an accumulation of water droplets that are smaller in size but greater in number. Clouds play an important role in regulating Earth's climate; aerosol-rich air masses generate clouds that are bigger, brighter, and longer lasting.

This animation shows how a cloud is formed on the particle-level. Water droplets and black soot carbon aerosols mix in the air. Water droplets cling to aerosol particles, creating a larger water droplet. The droplet becomes very large and 'pops' into smaller water droplets, each with an aerosol particle inside, thus creating a cloud.

Close-up of black soot particle and water droplets.

Close-up of black soot particle and water droplets.

Close-up of water droplets condensing on ocean salt particles.

Close-up of water droplets condensing on ocean salt particles.

For More Information

See http://glory.gsfc.nasa.gov



Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center


Missions

This visualization is related to the following missions:

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