Smoke coming from the space rocks amplifies the glow

Sep 4, 2012 15:27 GMT  ·  By

According to the conclusions of a new study by researchers at the Hampton University, in Virginia, it could be that dust left in the upper atmosphere by falling meteors contribute to amplifying the glow of noctilucent (night-shining) clouds.

The latter are rather impressive atmospheric phenomena, where high-altitude clouds appear to be glowing in the night sky. Sometimes, this may be caused by space shuttle exhaust fumes, while other times it may be caused by sunlight coming from over the horizon.

What the new investigation suggests is a third mechanism of noctilucent cloud formation. The work also involved scientists from the NASA Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) mission, which studies the highest-floating clouds on Earth.

“We've detected bits of 'meteor smoke' imbedded in noctilucent clouds. This discovery supports the theory that meteor dust is the nucleating agent around which NLCs form,” HU atmospheric scientist James Russell said in a statement, quoted by Space.