Start Date: End Date: Published Date Data Date
Data acquired September 15 - 15, 2003 1100 x 850 233 KB - JPEG
Data acquired September 15 - 15, 2003 2200 x 1700 831 KB - JPEG
Data acquired September 15 - 15, 2003 4400 x 3400 2 MB - JPEG
Bright white wave clouds hover over the Gulf of Carpentaria in Northern Australia. These clouds often form in a thin layer of the atmosphere where the temperature is fairly stable. As the layer is disturbed, the air moves up and down like waves on the surface of a lake. When the air reaches the crest of the wave where temperatures are colder, it cools and its water condenses into a cloud. As the air falls, it warms up and the clouds evaporate. This forms long vertical rows of clouds as can be seen in this Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image taken by the Terra satellite on September 15, 2003. The Gulf of Carpentaria is famous for its regular wave clouds, which form frequently in the spring.
Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC
Published September 15, 2003 Data acquired September 15 - 15, 2003