i been going to another message board a ufo one, and i rarely post. But when i do post i really have something to say. i figured i share it here too. i'm only going to up-date it if enough people show interest in it......
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Coulds can be a useful tool for skywatchers lets say you see a Ufo passing under a cloud, if you know the type of cloud and the attitude you can then determine how high the Ufo is flying and maybe give you a clue to the object size. Over the next couple of weeks i'l be describing a whole spectrum of clouds and a little about each type.
Clouds of all the weather elements can be seen and studied. They *Float* by in the moving air, forming, growing, disappearing. They appear to us in a bewildering variety of forms. Some appear as thin filaments in the high sky. Others appear as ominous dark masses generating lightning bolts, thunder, torrential rain and occasionally the dreaded rope like funnel of a tornado.
Before i start/next will be a brief glimpse into the naming of the clouds. It will be me trying to form/weave a story out of facts......
A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Moderator: Staff
A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
The Hawaiians had a firm grip on naming the clouds and entire sky and everything in it to navigate vast distances over the Pacific Ocean. They knew where they was at all times by how the waves hit their boat. Their knowledge of the stars was immense and was right behind the Mayans.
Who named the clouds, a historical note the first English Man to name the clouds and is the father of todays science of the clouds was Luke Howard (1773 to 1864 ). His father had sent him to Grammar school at Burford. A village some miles west of London. But he was more interested in the book of nature than volumes of Greek and Latin classics.
In Lukes Howard's school years. High level dust from volcanic eruptions in Ice-land and in Japan caused lurid sunrises and sunsets. To Howard's logical young mind, clouds and complicated halos must be the result of causes and effect in the natural order. He wanted to know more.
At the age of 20, Howard returned to lonjdon to work as a pharmacist. As an avocation, he joined a group of scientist, known then as "Natures Philosophers", who called themselfs "The Askesians" (searches after knowledge). Each member, in turn, read a scienctific paper to the others. Luke Howard's turn came one night during the winter of 1802 to 03. His paper was titled' "On the modification of clouds." In the lanuage of today modification means classifcation. It was so well recieved that it was published, and it had become a classic in the history of science. Today we still use the basic scheme Howard presented that night and the Latin names he assigned to the clouds.
Howard noted that there are three basic shapes of clouds. 1 heaps of separated cloud masses with flat bottoms andcauliflower tops which he named cumulus. 2 layers of cloud much wider than they are thick. like a blanket or mattress, which he named stratus, (layer). 3 wispy curls, like a childs hair. Which he called Cirrus (Curl). To clouds generating precipitation he gave the name nimbus ( rain).
We come far from Howard's pioneering work. But that's another story best left for another day.
Who named the clouds, a historical note the first English Man to name the clouds and is the father of todays science of the clouds was Luke Howard (1773 to 1864 ). His father had sent him to Grammar school at Burford. A village some miles west of London. But he was more interested in the book of nature than volumes of Greek and Latin classics.
In Lukes Howard's school years. High level dust from volcanic eruptions in Ice-land and in Japan caused lurid sunrises and sunsets. To Howard's logical young mind, clouds and complicated halos must be the result of causes and effect in the natural order. He wanted to know more.
At the age of 20, Howard returned to lonjdon to work as a pharmacist. As an avocation, he joined a group of scientist, known then as "Natures Philosophers", who called themselfs "The Askesians" (searches after knowledge). Each member, in turn, read a scienctific paper to the others. Luke Howard's turn came one night during the winter of 1802 to 03. His paper was titled' "On the modification of clouds." In the lanuage of today modification means classifcation. It was so well recieved that it was published, and it had become a classic in the history of science. Today we still use the basic scheme Howard presented that night and the Latin names he assigned to the clouds.
Howard noted that there are three basic shapes of clouds. 1 heaps of separated cloud masses with flat bottoms andcauliflower tops which he named cumulus. 2 layers of cloud much wider than they are thick. like a blanket or mattress, which he named stratus, (layer). 3 wispy curls, like a childs hair. Which he called Cirrus (Curl). To clouds generating precipitation he gave the name nimbus ( rain).
We come far from Howard's pioneering work. But that's another story best left for another day.
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Hunting grounds, Our Atmosphere
First exactly what is the atmosphere? When we understand the atmosphere, we understand are hunting grounds better.
The sun, although approximately 93 million miles from the earth, controls life and it controls weather on the earth. Without the heat energy from the sun interacting with earths moisture sources, there would be no weather as we know it. There would be no clouds, no rain and probably no life.
Our weather is contained in a comparatively small area. From what we know, most weather is confined with in the first five to ten miles of our atmosphere.
Troposphere (the hunting ground)
stratosphere
mesosphere
thermosphere
and exosphere
We live in what is called the troposphere: the part of the atmosphere closest to the earth, which ranges to about six miles above the surface at the poles and ten to twele miles over the equator. Within this atmosphere layer dwell our hunting grounds.
The second layer of the atmoshere is practically weatherless stratosphere-extending about 30 miles above the troposphere.
The next layers are the mesosphere and thermosphere. Bands of ionized particles in the thermosphere can reflect radio waves from the earth. This explains why at night you will often hear radio stations from hundreds even thousands of miles away.
Finally, there is the exosphere startingat about 500 miles above the earth surface, and reaching into space. This is the so called outer limits of the earths atmosphere.
All hunting grounds begins and containe4d in the troposphere, the earth circling ocean of air with the earth as it's floor. When the actual oceans become stormy , thier floors are disturbed by the turbulance of waters. Currents that move in the ocean waters influence all life within.
the face of the earth-floorf the atmospheric ocean of air-becomes disturbed or calm, warm or cool, wet or dry, because of the behavior of weather systems with in the troposphere. Prevailing wind currents that flow through the troposphere steer and develop the highs and lows-This is the hunting zone.
First exactly what is the atmosphere? When we understand the atmosphere, we understand are hunting grounds better.
The sun, although approximately 93 million miles from the earth, controls life and it controls weather on the earth. Without the heat energy from the sun interacting with earths moisture sources, there would be no weather as we know it. There would be no clouds, no rain and probably no life.
Our weather is contained in a comparatively small area. From what we know, most weather is confined with in the first five to ten miles of our atmosphere.
Troposphere (the hunting ground)
stratosphere
mesosphere
thermosphere
and exosphere
We live in what is called the troposphere: the part of the atmosphere closest to the earth, which ranges to about six miles above the surface at the poles and ten to twele miles over the equator. Within this atmosphere layer dwell our hunting grounds.
The second layer of the atmoshere is practically weatherless stratosphere-extending about 30 miles above the troposphere.
The next layers are the mesosphere and thermosphere. Bands of ionized particles in the thermosphere can reflect radio waves from the earth. This explains why at night you will often hear radio stations from hundreds even thousands of miles away.
Finally, there is the exosphere startingat about 500 miles above the earth surface, and reaching into space. This is the so called outer limits of the earths atmosphere.
All hunting grounds begins and containe4d in the troposphere, the earth circling ocean of air with the earth as it's floor. When the actual oceans become stormy , thier floors are disturbed by the turbulance of waters. Currents that move in the ocean waters influence all life within.
the face of the earth-floorf the atmospheric ocean of air-becomes disturbed or calm, warm or cool, wet or dry, because of the behavior of weather systems with in the troposphere. Prevailing wind currents that flow through the troposphere steer and develop the highs and lows-This is the hunting zone.
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Wind
Wind is air in motion. It can be a gentle breeze moving horizontally over the land, a hurricane rushing at 74 miles per-hour or faster, or a raging tornado dipping it's tail possessed of almost incredible power.
While the coulds formations are the same the world over, winds vary. their directions and speed can be affected locally by mountains lakes, and rivers.
On the larger scale, t5hough, prevailing winds are the same at certains latitudes. For example, the prevailing westerlies dominate midlatitude regions-such as the United States.
Our general wind cirulation are the result of uneven heating of the earth by the sun. Air is heated much more intensely at the equator than the poles. Thus, The warm, light air rises in the tropics, while at the same time the cold heavy air sinks at the poles. the rising tropical air moves northward before sinking again at around 30 latitude, and then moves back south. The cold polar air warms up some in the trek south from the top of the world, and starts to rise skyward at about 60 latitude, on it's return in its poleward journey.
Between these two wind circulation "cells" is a third one which prevails at midlatitudes. The earth rotations "pulls" pattern that we see in different parts in the world; in our hemispere, the polar easterlies in northern latitudes, the prevailing westerlies in the middle latitudes, and the trade winds in southern latitudes.
While the winds such as the trade winds are fairly constant, our prevailing westerlies are not, and in fact they move in various cycles thoughout the year. These are winds that create our forever changing weather conditions. If these werenowinds, our weather and hunting grounds would alway be the same.
Off topic: Heres a few forecasting tips based solely on the dirrections of the wind.
When the winds shift rapidly from the northwest to the northeast, or from the southeast to the southwest, back and forth during clear skies or unsettled weather, there will be a change in the existing weather. In such cases, however, there is no way to determine how soon this change will come.
If the wind shifts from southeast to the southwest back and forth to the north-northwest during rain the weather soon will clear.
If the wind shifts from the southeast to the southwest and the sky is clear chances are good that some precipitation will soon occur.
As a general rule of thumb remember that any change in surface winds directing usaully foretells a change in the weather.
i hope you enjoyed my simplified out-look on the sky, remember when filming a ufo make sure you make it known if the object is moving across the wind sky-crap wouldn't and can't do that.
More to come
Next i'll be talking about the clouds
Wind is air in motion. It can be a gentle breeze moving horizontally over the land, a hurricane rushing at 74 miles per-hour or faster, or a raging tornado dipping it's tail possessed of almost incredible power.
While the coulds formations are the same the world over, winds vary. their directions and speed can be affected locally by mountains lakes, and rivers.
On the larger scale, t5hough, prevailing winds are the same at certains latitudes. For example, the prevailing westerlies dominate midlatitude regions-such as the United States.
Our general wind cirulation are the result of uneven heating of the earth by the sun. Air is heated much more intensely at the equator than the poles. Thus, The warm, light air rises in the tropics, while at the same time the cold heavy air sinks at the poles. the rising tropical air moves northward before sinking again at around 30 latitude, and then moves back south. The cold polar air warms up some in the trek south from the top of the world, and starts to rise skyward at about 60 latitude, on it's return in its poleward journey.
Between these two wind circulation "cells" is a third one which prevails at midlatitudes. The earth rotations "pulls" pattern that we see in different parts in the world; in our hemispere, the polar easterlies in northern latitudes, the prevailing westerlies in the middle latitudes, and the trade winds in southern latitudes.
While the winds such as the trade winds are fairly constant, our prevailing westerlies are not, and in fact they move in various cycles thoughout the year. These are winds that create our forever changing weather conditions. If these werenowinds, our weather and hunting grounds would alway be the same.
Off topic: Heres a few forecasting tips based solely on the dirrections of the wind.
When the winds shift rapidly from the northwest to the northeast, or from the southeast to the southwest, back and forth during clear skies or unsettled weather, there will be a change in the existing weather. In such cases, however, there is no way to determine how soon this change will come.
If the wind shifts from southeast to the southwest back and forth to the north-northwest during rain the weather soon will clear.
If the wind shifts from the southeast to the southwest and the sky is clear chances are good that some precipitation will soon occur.
As a general rule of thumb remember that any change in surface winds directing usaully foretells a change in the weather.
i hope you enjoyed my simplified out-look on the sky, remember when filming a ufo make sure you make it known if the object is moving across the wind sky-crap wouldn't and can't do that.
More to come
Next i'll be talking about the clouds
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
This proves when i really try i can half way come up with a decent posts lol, i bet i'll get a B if this was a school report.
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
There's about as much interest here than the board i'm posting at is showing so i respectfully bowed out. i was looking forward to geting into sky anomalies and sky color too......
lol
lol
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
just like looking at the clouds to see what shapes I can find in them... or the chill out staring up at them as they fly by. anyway even though the universe is made up of #s and formulas, we will never know the purist, most elegant solution for any of them... there's still that 'magic', and I for one am glad of that - sometimes the science can blind us (or delude us) from what's really going on. I mean for all the fluid/gas dynamics, thermodynamics and astro/geo-physics, etc., what caused the winds to first kick up and circulate the globe anyway? heat/energy, friction and turbulence stemming from the earth's ever changing surface features rotating below it and the varying gravitational effects diminishing with elevation? then what explains the high altitude currents that jet across the highest reaches of our atmosphere, or the jet stream itself? particularly if our little blue ball is truly suspended in a vacuum... I'll still stick with looking for the fluffy rabbits, bears and turtles in the cloudy sky thank you very much
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Ah yeah to look at the sky with childs eyes, there's nothing better......
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Introducing the Clouds
Weather is a common denominator of life. It affects each of us everyday, either directly or indirectly. Weather is more than just sun or rain. It is activity in the lower part of the atmosphere that results in wind, rain or snow, humidity, visibility, and clouds.
Most of the elements that help us forecast the weather in our hunting grounds are impossible to see directly. Wind or the movement of the atmosphere over earth's surface, is seen only in the fluttering of a flag or a rustling of leaves. It can be as a gentle as the breeze or as destructive as a hurricane.
We cannot see humidity at all. We sense the degree of humidity by our personal comfort. We say, "It's hot and sticky today," or "My skin feels dry".
Neither can we see air pressure, except as a reading on a barometer scale. We sense it only when we change elevation rapidly and our ears pop.
Clouds of all the weather elements can be easily seen and studied. They float by in the moving air.
Because it is easiest to learn about things we can see, my posts will deal first with clouds and then with the other aspects of our hunting grounds and weather. Before the days of media weather reports, people who's livelihoods depended on the weather learned to make forecast largely by observing the sky and it many aspects.
My post willgive explanations also ofother elements like precipition wind and air pressure,air masses and fronts, ect.
The information in my post can be used in two ways. First, we can try to forecast the weather. We can approach the sky as a scientist would, classifying the clouds by type and analyzing the likehood of thier producing precipitation. This is the practical value of this/these posts, but there is another side of human nature.
We can also learn to appreciate the everyday sky which is our hunting grounds. The majesty of a sunset, the pristine beauty of the cirrus cloud, the pure radiance of a rainbow.
Astronaughts for example are both analyzers and appreciators of the planet earth. As scientist, they analyze data and act in logical ways on the basis of thier analyses. Yet from thier unique perspective in space,they have a chance to reflect on the human family living at the bottom of a sea of air, breathing in the life giving oxygen and exhaling the carbon dioxide needed by trees and plants. The sight of earth from space- a blue and white orb shinning against the deep blackness of outer space, a globe surrounded by a thin membrane of air- makes a profound impact on the consciousness of many astronauts.They realize that the ordinary air taken so much for granted by earthlings is in fact extraordinary. They sense not only the beauty of earth but the fragility of the atmosphere. The experience changes thier lifes forever.
Heightened awareness of millions of peoplearound the globe. The beautiful sky reminds us that we live in a very spiecal place.
We who live out our live at the bottom of the sea of air can also learn to appreciate earths special nature from our own unique perspective. Our hope is that this first Tool to sky watching will serve both the analyzer and the appreciator in each one of us
Weather is a common denominator of life. It affects each of us everyday, either directly or indirectly. Weather is more than just sun or rain. It is activity in the lower part of the atmosphere that results in wind, rain or snow, humidity, visibility, and clouds.
Most of the elements that help us forecast the weather in our hunting grounds are impossible to see directly. Wind or the movement of the atmosphere over earth's surface, is seen only in the fluttering of a flag or a rustling of leaves. It can be as a gentle as the breeze or as destructive as a hurricane.
We cannot see humidity at all. We sense the degree of humidity by our personal comfort. We say, "It's hot and sticky today," or "My skin feels dry".
Neither can we see air pressure, except as a reading on a barometer scale. We sense it only when we change elevation rapidly and our ears pop.
Clouds of all the weather elements can be easily seen and studied. They float by in the moving air.
Because it is easiest to learn about things we can see, my posts will deal first with clouds and then with the other aspects of our hunting grounds and weather. Before the days of media weather reports, people who's livelihoods depended on the weather learned to make forecast largely by observing the sky and it many aspects.
My post willgive explanations also ofother elements like precipition wind and air pressure,air masses and fronts, ect.
The information in my post can be used in two ways. First, we can try to forecast the weather. We can approach the sky as a scientist would, classifying the clouds by type and analyzing the likehood of thier producing precipitation. This is the practical value of this/these posts, but there is another side of human nature.
We can also learn to appreciate the everyday sky which is our hunting grounds. The majesty of a sunset, the pristine beauty of the cirrus cloud, the pure radiance of a rainbow.
Astronaughts for example are both analyzers and appreciators of the planet earth. As scientist, they analyze data and act in logical ways on the basis of thier analyses. Yet from thier unique perspective in space,they have a chance to reflect on the human family living at the bottom of a sea of air, breathing in the life giving oxygen and exhaling the carbon dioxide needed by trees and plants. The sight of earth from space- a blue and white orb shinning against the deep blackness of outer space, a globe surrounded by a thin membrane of air- makes a profound impact on the consciousness of many astronauts.They realize that the ordinary air taken so much for granted by earthlings is in fact extraordinary. They sense not only the beauty of earth but the fragility of the atmosphere. The experience changes thier lifes forever.
Heightened awareness of millions of peoplearound the globe. The beautiful sky reminds us that we live in a very spiecal place.
We who live out our live at the bottom of the sea of air can also learn to appreciate earths special nature from our own unique perspective. Our hope is that this first Tool to sky watching will serve both the analyzer and the appreciator in each one of us
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
With the clouds so ominous and menacing that cast shadows, above a star burns bright and afar.......
i know what you said about my Momma
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Lady Maven
- Teacher
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Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Well, staying away from the whole UFO thing, I love cloud watching. It amazes me how close they are here. I stop at a rest stop over the pass... umm... top of the Sierra's and LITERALLY walk in clouds. It is soooo cool. Literally and figuritively. It seems like it would be like walking in fog but it isn't. It is denser and swirls in little eddies and pools around your feet.
Last edited by Lady Maven on Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
"By the nine arms of Vishnu, I swear I am not a Hindu!” - Apu
How did someone realize you could milk a cow? And what the hell did they think they were doing to the cow in the first place?!
How did someone realize you could milk a cow? And what the hell did they think they were doing to the cow in the first place?!
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Ah you read my work, thankyou......
Be you a scientist a ufowatcher, skywatcher, causal observer the sky and it's many features has many wonders. My brief explanatoriness mearly dips into the surface of our sky, i'm looking forward in explaining anomalies a subject that i been studying for over 20 years.
Stay tuned
Be you a scientist a ufowatcher, skywatcher, causal observer the sky and it's many features has many wonders. My brief explanatoriness mearly dips into the surface of our sky, i'm looking forward in explaining anomalies a subject that i been studying for over 20 years.
Stay tuned
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Frequent electrical storms give the air above this region the planets highest concentration of negative ions which not only clears the air of dirt and toxins, but according to one study, they also boost a feel good serotonin as effectively as the anti-depressants Prozac and zoloft! "They also have a powerful anti-oxidant effect that combats cellular and DNA damage. Cutting the risk from everything between cancer to wrinkled skin"
benefit right where you ar4e: You can get a dose of negative ions by taking a shower, sitting near a mini-fountain, or walking outside after a storm. Breathe deeply to get the invigorating effects!
Enough anomalies for now next i shall talk about the sky and clouds.
benefit right where you ar4e: You can get a dose of negative ions by taking a shower, sitting near a mini-fountain, or walking outside after a storm. Breathe deeply to get the invigorating effects!
Enough anomalies for now next i shall talk about the sky and clouds.
i know what you said about my Momma
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KingArthur10
- Lost Soul
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:10 am
- Location: Migrating with Emus in the Great Pacific Northwest
- Contact:
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Plus, electrical storms can generate anti-matter, which I'm sure helps drive all that negative real matter out of the body 
.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GLAST ... torms.html
Sadly, while at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Seattle Meeting, I didn't have the time to sit in on the discussion, but I got to look over the posters and press materials from Fermi.
Personally, I was loving all the Kepler Mission materials. Great stuff.
.http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GLAST ... torms.html
Sadly, while at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Seattle Meeting, I didn't have the time to sit in on the discussion, but I got to look over the posters and press materials from Fermi.
Personally, I was loving all the Kepler Mission materials. Great stuff.
Annoying Evernight/Monarchy admins for 1.5x10^-1 centuries
TDOD/OAFS/Countless other awesomenesses
TDOD/OAFS/Countless other awesomenesses
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
coolies
edit/i mean by coolies that someone of Arthurs status has read my scribble
edit/i mean by coolies that someone of Arthurs status has read my scribble
i know what you said about my Momma
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
i'm working on a huge post about the clouds coming soon
i know what you said about my Momma
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KingArthur10
- Lost Soul
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:10 am
- Location: Migrating with Emus in the Great Pacific Northwest
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Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Status my ass.owly wrote:coolies
edit/i mean by coolies that someone of Arthurs status has read my scribble
I presented on public outreach and introductory astronomy techniques and equipment (I did a happy dance when I was proposed a job out West and had a couple grad schools trying to recruit me). Most of the stuff at the AAS was WAY over my head (one of my favorites was on mapping out lens deficiencies using multiple telescopes as one...it was cool, but again, over my head). Then again, I realized that most of the stuff there was above most of the astronomers' heads. They tend to hyper focus in one aspect and have no clue about any others.
Annoying Evernight/Monarchy admins for 1.5x10^-1 centuries
TDOD/OAFS/Countless other awesomenesses
TDOD/OAFS/Countless other awesomenesses
Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Cool stuff, astounding really.......one of my favorites was on mapping out lens deficiencies using multiple telescopes as one...it was cool
be expecting a new post on clouds tomorrow or the next day
i know what you said about my Momma
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KingArthur10
- Lost Soul
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:10 am
- Location: Migrating with Emus in the Great Pacific Northwest
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Re: A tool and guide for Sky-Watchers
Owly, where do you live? There are planetariums all over the country that are looking for volunteers and they provide excellent opportunities to learn about the sky. If you need help finding an organization, let me know, and I'd be happy to try my contacts.
Annoying Evernight/Monarchy admins for 1.5x10^-1 centuries
TDOD/OAFS/Countless other awesomenesses
TDOD/OAFS/Countless other awesomenesses
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