Infrared AIRS image of Iceland volanic ash plume, shown in blue. › Full image and caption
For the second time this month, Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano (pronounced "Aya-fyatla-jo-kutl") erupted. The latest eruption, on Wed., April 14, spewed a cloud of ash into the atmosphere and is disrupting air travel in Northern Europe and around the world.
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite flew over the volcano at 1:30 p.m. local time (13:29:24 UTC, or 6:29:24 a.m. PDT) on April 15, capturing this false-color infrared image, as well as a visible image of the ash plume. The images show the ash cloud (in blue) enveloping Iceland and moving eastward over the Shetland Islands and onward to Europe. The ash clouds appear to be at an altitude of 3,658 meters (12,000 feet).
NASA works with other agencies on using satellite observations to aid in the detection and monitoring of aviation hazards caused by volcanic ash. More information on this NASA program is at: http://science.larc.nasa.gov/asap/research-ash.html . The ingestion of ash particles from such clouds can result in engine failure for aircraft.
Because infrared radiation does not penetrate through clouds, AIRS infrared images show either the temperature of the cloud tops or the surface of Earth in cloud-free regions. The lowest temperatures (in purple) are associated with high, cold cloud tops. In cloud-free areas the AIRS instrument will receive the infrared radiation from the surface of the Earth, resulting in the warmest temperatures (orange/red).
Do you like this article? Share It!
0 comments to "JPL Instrument Sees Disruptive Iceland Volcanic Cloud"
Popular Posts
-
Even though there are many advancement in technology, keeping foods fresher in space for a long period has been impossible. Research has b...
-
Though the sun's brightness was once thought to be constant, NASA has launched a series of satellite instruments that have helpe...
-
NASA technologists will get a opportunity next summer time to experience the good old days when Organization technical engineers would conn... -
X-24B Precision Landings Proved That Shuttle Could Land Unpowered NASA research pilot John Manke worked through his prelaunch checklist wh... -
The mars rock touches the NASA curiosity this time it touches the more different from before Tasks. The mars rock is looks like some odd... -
Leaner, greener flying machines for the year 2025 are on the drawing boards of three industry teams under contract to the NASA Aeronautics ... -
Images from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) reveal an old star in the throes of a fiery outburst, spraying the cosm... -
The argument that the moon is a dry, desolate place no longer holds water. Secrets the moon has been holding, for perhaps billions of years,...
-
Nasa Space Station Astronaut Greg Chamitoff, aboard the International Space Station 220 miles above Earth, is ready to take your questions...
