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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Дымовой ангел http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1215302/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Russell E. Cooley IV, USAF
Explanation:
What type of cloud is that? It is not a
naturally occurring one.
Looking perhaps a bit like a gigantic
owl monster, the cloud
pictured above
resulted from a series of flares released by an air force jet over the
Atlantic Ocean in May.
The jet that released the flares, a
C-17 Globemaster III, is seen on the right.
The flares release smoke and the
resulting pattern is sometimes known as a
smoke angel.
The circular eyes of the above smoke angel are caused by
air spiraling off the plane's wings and are known as
wingtip vortices.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.