Cloud Streets

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 02/11/2016 at 09:48 • Filed to: planelopnik, spaceopnik

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The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ) instrument on NASA’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! satellite captured this image of cloud streets and sea ice in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on Feb. 8, 2016. Cloud streets are long parallel bands of cumulus clouds that form when cold air blows over warmer waters and a warmer air layer (temperature inversion) rests over the top of both.

Image Credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! courtesy LANCE/EOSDIS MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC

Ash78, voting early and often > ttyymmnn 02/11/2016 at 09:55

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Sea of Okhotsk

I think it’s actually called Lake Winnebago...

/obscure, but I know you

ttyymmnn > Ash78, voting early and often 02/11/2016 at 09:58

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AirVenture is on my bucket list.

TheRealBicycleBuck > ttyymmnn 02/11/2016 at 10:02

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Interesting. In hang gliding, these are cloud streets :

Each cloud is at the top of a column of lift (thermal or ridge lift). Gliders travel by taking the lift up, then gliding to the next column of lift. The world hang-gliding record of 472 miles was accomplished by following cloud streets north from Zapata, TX.

That isn’t a feat I ever wanted to attempt. It took 11 hours in the air to complete.

ttyymmnn > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/11/2016 at 10:10

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I can’t imagine being in a hang glider for 11 hours. Then again, I can’t imagine being in a hang glider or 11 minutes.

TheRealBicycleBuck > ttyymmnn 02/11/2016 at 10:18

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It’s tremendous fun! Most people think of it as jumping off a cliff, but foot launches are more like running until a giant bird picks you up. I found skydiving to be more terrifying. My first thought when I jumped out of the plane was, “Oh God, what have I done.” My first thoughts when foot launching a hang glider were all about steering.

Sam > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/11/2016 at 10:27

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They used to do these things down the road from my house. It always looked ludicrously fun -

ttyymmnn > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/11/2016 at 10:48

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Oh, I’m sure it’s a blast. It’s just not for me. I don’t have much of a daredevil spirit.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Sam 02/11/2016 at 10:49

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Powered paragliders have the advantage of short takeoff runs and are very portable, but they are also slow, noisy, and are prone to chute collapses. Trikes (powered hang gliders) are also noisy, a less portable, and require more runway, but they are faster and not prone to chute collapses since the wing isn’t a parachute.

Paragliders (unpowered) are a lot more portable, but can only be foot launched. Hang gliders have a big advantage here as they can be launched by foot, by boat or truck or truck tow, or by aerotow. Aerotow is a great way to launch since you can be towed to your preferred height, typically 1,500 ft AGL, giving a big advantage if you are thermal soaring.

TheRealBicycleBuck > ttyymmnn 02/11/2016 at 10:55

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My introduction to hang gliding was a tandem flight. It was my birthday and my mom wanted to get me something exciting that we both could do. My first thought was a day on the track. Too expensive, she said. My second thought was an introductory flight. Not only did she agree, she took one herself!

There’s a big difference between flying and standing on a tall structure. I got more willies from being on top of the Empire State Building than I did flying nearly three times as high in a hang glider.