Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2020 April 18

                      Just Another Day on Aerosol Earth
     Model Visualization Credit: NASA Earth Observatory, GEOS FP, Joshua
                                   Stevens

   Explanation: It was just another day on aerosol Earth. For August 23,
   2018, the identification and distribution of aerosols in the Earth's
   atmosphere is shown in this dramatic, planet-wide digital
   visualization. Produced in real time, the Goddard Earth Observing
   System Forward Processing (GEOS FP) model relies on a combination of
   Earth-observing satellite and ground-based data to calculate the
   presence of types of aerosols, tiny solid particles and liquid
   droplets, as they circulate above the entire planet. This August 23rd
   model shows black carbon particles in red from combustion processes,
   like smoke from the fires in the United States and Canada, spreading
   across large stretches of North America and Africa. Sea salt aerosols
   are in blue, swirling above threatening typhoons near South Korea and
   Japan, and the hurricane looming near Hawaii. Dust shown in purple hues
   is blowing over African and Asian deserts. The location of cities and
   towns can be found from the concentrations of lights based on satellite
   image data of the Earth at night.

                        Celebrate: Earth Day at Home
                    Tomorrow's picture: Saturnday Sunday
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

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