Tag: aerosols
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The science behind flu superspreaders: why some people transmit flu more than others
Introduction: what makes a flu superspreader? Every flu season, a small subset of people seem to drive the majority of transmission. Researchers describe these individuals as flu superspreaders. While public health messages focus on masks, ventilation, and vaccination, the science behind superspreading looks deeper than simply being sick. It involves a confluence of biology, physiology,…
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Can We Safely Reflect Sunlight to Cool Earth? A Practical Look at Solar Geoengineering
Understanding the idea: Reflecting sunlight to cool the planet As global temperatures rise, some scientists and policymakers are examining a controversial idea: using technology to reflect more sunlight back into space. Often referred to as solar geoengineering or stratospheric aerosol injection, this approach would aim to reduce the amount of solar energy absorbed by Earth.…
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Optical and Microphysical Characterization of Atmospheric Aerosols in Chad Based on Satellite Observations
Introduction Chad, a landlocked nation in central Africa, faces a complex mix of natural and anthropogenic aerosol sources. This study leverages satellite observations to characterize the optical and microphysical properties of atmospheric aerosols over Chad, providing insights into dust transport, aerosol composition, and potential climate impacts. By combining multi-sensor remote sensing data, we aim to…
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Optical and Microphysical Characterization of Atmospheric Aerosols in Chad Using Satellite Observations
Introduction Chad sits at the crossroads of Sub-Saharan Africa, with a landscape that spans deserts, savannas, and urban centers. Understanding the optical and microphysical properties of atmospheric aerosols in Chad is essential for assessing air quality, climate forcing, and regional health impacts. This article summarizes a satellite-based study that characterizes aerosol optical depth, size distribution,…
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Optical and Microphysical Characterization of Atmospheric Aerosols in Chad via Satellite Observations
Introduction and Context Atmospheric aerosols in Chad influence regional climate, air quality, and visibility across the Sahel. Leveraging satellite observations allows researchers to characterize both the optical and microphysical properties of these particles over diverse landscapes, from desert fringes to savannas. By integrating multi-sensor data, scientists can derive aerosol optical depth, size distribution, refractive index,…
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Wildfire Smoke Lofting Miles High Could Reshape Earth’s Climate
Introduction: When Wildfires Create Their Own Weather Wildfires go beyond burning forests and homes. In extreme cases, they can generate their own weather systems, including pyrocumulonimbus storms that lift smoke and fire gases high into the sky. These towering plumes can reach the upper troposphere and even the lower stratosphere, as high as 10 miles…
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Wildfire Smoke and Climate: Pyrocumulonimbus Impacts
Introduction: Wildfire smoke and a climate connection Wildfires do more than scorch forests and darken skies. In the most extreme cases, the burning fuels power their own weather systems, forming pyrocumulonimbus thunderstorms that shoot smoke and ash thousands of meters into the atmosphere. This surprising dynamic—where wildfires influence atmospheric processes on a global scale—adds a…
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Wildfire Smoke in the Upper Skies: An Unexpected Climate Player
Introduction: A new twist in wildfire effects Wildfires are notorious for their immediate destruction, but they can also reshuffle the climate dice from high above. When fires burn intensely, they can generate their own weather in the form of pyrocumulonimbus clouds—thunderstorms produced by heat and smoke. These towering columns can loft smoke and soot as…
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50-Year-Old Data Reveals Venus’s Clouds Are Mostly Water
New Insights from Old Data Reanalyzing legacy missions with modern science is not just fashionable—it can rewrite long-standing stories about our planetary neighbors. A recent study reexamines data from NASA’s Pioneer Venus mission, released in the 1970s, and challenges the prevailing view that Venus’s clouds are dominated by sulfuric acid. The team finds that water…