Start Date: End Date: Published Date Data Date
Data acquired October 2, 2005 400 x 300 25 KB - JPEG
Data acquired October 2, 2005 800 x 600 88 KB - JPEG
Data acquired October 2, 2005 1600 x 1200 234 KB - JPEG
The impact of islands on the atmosphere is evident in the cloud patterns seen in this image, captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite on October 2, 2005. The air flowing over the smooth surface of the ocean is forced over or around the islands. As a result, the air in the wake of the island is turbulent, churning in a braid of vortices. The clouds are shaped by these vortices into the delicate swirls seen here. The images shows cloud vortices behind the Crozet Islands in the south Indian Ocean.
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC
Published October 6, 2005 Data acquired October 2, 2005