Whether a smoke or dust plume has a heating—or cooling—effect on the atmosphere can depend on whether it is above clouds.
Published Oct 17, 2014In certain environments, dark particles in smoke from fires can inhibit cloud formation and limit rainfall.
Published Sep 24, 2015Kaufman served as program manager for NASA’s Earth Observatory from its launch in April 1999, through January 2006.
Published Jun 8, 2006Wildfire smoke contains dark sooty particles that can “burn off” clouds.
Published Aug 8, 2013They may look like airplane contrails, but the streaky clouds shown in this photo-like image formed around the exhaust left in the wake of ships traveling along the northwest coast of North America.
Published Jan 26, 2008