The particles generated in this region can even reach Antarctica when they are transported by the wind (Gassó et al., 2010) and contribute to
ice particles formation.
Not exact matches
Charged
particles, or ions, of magnesium from the cosmic dust can trigger the
formation of tiny
ice crystals that help form clouds, a new analysis of Mars» atmosphere suggests.
«These organisms,» Christner says, «are able to catalyze
ice formation at a temperature warmer than any other naturally occurring
particle.»
Water droplets and
ice crystals in the atmosphere condensed on the infusion of dust
particles and settled into pouch - like
formations due to wind currents.
Their stickiness makes it hard to get them through an inlet into a measuring device, but these compounds may play a significant role in the
formation and alteration of aerosols, tiny airborne
particles that can contribute to smog or to the nucleation of raindrops or
ice crystals, affecting the Earth's climate.
Although no one is sure what triggers their
formation, one theory is that cosmic dust, or debris from burned - up meteors, seed the
ice particles, which is plausible because meteors typically are incinerated in the upper mesosphere at about the same altitude where these clouds form.
Microbial ecologist Brent Christner of Louisiana State University collected fresh snow from across the globe and tested it for biological
particles that could induce
ice formation.
The main mode, which is involved in the
formation of
ice crystals in mixed - phase clouds (clouds formed by
ice particles and water droplets), is the immersion freezing mode.
«
Ice Formation on Nitric Acid - Coated Dust
Particles: Laboratory and Modeling Studies.»
Scientists are working to understand their underlying processes, such as which
particle surface properties encourage or discourage
ice formation, called nucleation, so they can accurately simulate how, where, and when clouds are formed.
Pratt and PNNL postdoctoral researcher Dr. Gourihar Kulkarni will study
ice formation using an environmental chamber, as well as
particle analysis by laser mass spectrometry (PALMS) to measure
ice residue chemistry.
Ice particles are the
formation of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs), which