logo
How Does A Cloud Stay In The Sky?

How Does A Cloud Stay In The Sky?

Forbes25-03-2025
Have you ever wondered how a cloud stays in the sky? In a recent conversation with my friend and colleague Alan Sealls, the AMS President-Elect told me that he pondered this very question, and it sparked his interest in becoming a meteorologist. Since I have been writing about important but heavy topics in recent weeks, let's 'lighten' it up and explore a little meteorology 101. Further reading, however, will reveal that clouds are not as 'light' as you may have thought.
What is a cloud anyhow? The Glossary of the American Meteorological Society defined a cloud as, 'A visible aggregate of minute water droplets and/or ice particles in the atmosphere above the earth's surface.' The shape, altitude, and precipitation potential of clouds depend on various meteorological conditions, but that's not the focus of this conversation. How does these collections of water droplets and/or ice remain suspended in the air?
Even though an innocent-looking cumulus cloud may look as light as a cotton ball, it can be heavier than you may think. A U.S. Geological Survey website cited columnist Cecil Adams who wrote, 'A modest-size cloud, one kilometer in diameter and 100 meters thick, has a mass equivalent to one B-747 jumbo jet.' How can a cloud weigh so much? Clouds are comprised of droplets or ice particles so that means they have mass, density and weight.
Let's explore something called cloud density. For arguments sake, I will focus on a cumulus cloud. In a typical cloud, there are a certain number of cloud particles in a given volume. A USGS website gave an estimate that a typical cumulus cloud may contain 1 billion cubic meters. If density is considered 0.5 grams of cloud droplets within that given volume, the mass is 500,000 kilograms (1.1 million pounds or 551 tons). I arrived at that number by doing a simple math problem. Mass is equal to density multiplied by volume.
So how does something that heavy float? Believe it or note, the dry air beneath the cloud is denser than clouds above it. At the same temperature and pressure, moist air is less dense than dry air. This is where I have to introduce Avogadro's law. Dry air is made up of nitrogen and oxygen. Moist air contains water. The molecular mass of nitrogen is greater than water, which means the less dense water replaces denser nitrogen in moist air. If you want to see how differences in density work, pour a sugary soda in a glass and then add a sugarless soda on top of it. I used to do stuff like that at food buffets all of the time.
Can you imagine how much a massive cumulonimbus cloud weighs? Do the math yourself on your lunch break. Happy Cloud-Gazing Day.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Singapore skies may sparkle with two meteor showers in coming weeks
Singapore skies may sparkle with two meteor showers in coming weeks

Yahoo

time12 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Singapore skies may sparkle with two meteor showers in coming weeks

SINGAPORE – Two meteor showers, including one known for its dramatic fireballs, are set to streak across Singapore's night sky in late July and mid-August if weather conditions allow. The Delta Aquariids and the Perseids, both annual occurrences, could be visible over the next few weeks, said The Observatory at Science Centre Singapore. The Delta Aquariids, which peak around July 30, originate from Comet 96P/Machholz and appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius. The comet was discovered in 1986 by American amateur astronomer Donald Machholz, a prolific comet hunter with more than a dozen discoveries to his name. Though not known for high meteor counts, the Delta Aquariids produce a steady stream of two to five meteors per hour, flashing into view at speeds of 40km per second. Some may leave glowing trails of gas in the sky. If cloud cover obscures the meteor shower as it peaks, stargazers may still see Saturn in the east after 11pm, according to the observatory. The Perseids – one of the best and most anticipated meteor showers of the year – will peak on the nights of Aug 12 and 13. It is best viewed during the pre-dawn hours between 3am and 6.45am, says the observatory. The Perseids are known for their high activity rate and fireballs, which leave a long glowing trail of light and colour across the sky. Under ideal conditions, up to 100 meteors may be seen in an hour. However, the 2025 Perseids may be harder to spot, as moonlight from a waning gibbous moon – a bright phase between a full and half moon – could outshine the meteors. The moon will also be near the radiant point, which is the area in the sky from where the meteors appear to emerge, making them less visible, according to the observatory. Both showers return each year as the Earth passes through dusty trails left behind by ancient comets. No special equipment is needed to view the meteor showers. The best views are expected from dark, open areas such as parks, beaches or reservoirs. The observatory will not hold special viewing events for either shower, but its regular Friday night stargazing sessions will continue. These offer telescope views of stars and planets to the public. More details are available at Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here

When To See ‘Shooting Stars' Tonight As Four Meteor Showers Collide
When To See ‘Shooting Stars' Tonight As Four Meteor Showers Collide

Forbes

time13 hours ago

  • Forbes

When To See ‘Shooting Stars' Tonight As Four Meteor Showers Collide

Summer's 'shooting stars' season gets underway this week with the peaks of three meteor showers. The most famous meteor shower of all, the Perseids, will peak on Aug. 12-13, but a badly timed full moon makes this week the best time to see its shooting stars. A Perseid meteor streaks across the sky above Inspiration Point early on August 12, 2016 in Bryce ... More Canyon National Park, Utah. (Photo by) Getty Images The Piscis Austrinid meteor shower will peak in the early hours of July 28, with about five meteors per hour possible, according to The following morning, July 29, will see the peaks of two more meteor showers, the Southern delta Aquariids and the alpha Capricornids. The Southern delta Aquariid meteor shower produces up to 25 shooting stars per hour, with most being rather faint. Although the alpha Capricornids number just five shooting stars per hour at their peak, they tend to include bright and colorful fireballs, according to the American Meteor Society. For all three meteor showers, the best view will likely be had about 3:00 a.m. local time in North America (all timezones), when the radiant points — the constellations of Pisces, Aquarius and Capricorn — are highest in the sky. Those constellations are all visible low on the southern horizon, so the best views will be had the farther south in North America. July 28 and 29 will be excellent nights for stargazing and looking for shooting stars if the skies are clear because the light from the crescent moon will not bleach the night sky. The Perseid meteor shower is already active, having begun on July 17 and is expected to continue until Aug. 23. On the peak night, around 50-75 meteors per hour are visible, but in 2025, that number will be significantly reduced, with only the very brightest of its shooting stars visible. That's because Aug. 9 will see the rise of a full sturgeon moon, which will remain bright and dominant in the night sky on Aug. 12-13, rising just as the peak of the Perseids gets underway. It will remain in the sky for the rest of the night. When To See The Perseid Meteor Shower In 2025 There are two periods to watch the skies in 2025 if you want to see shooting stars from the Perseid meteor shower. The first is right now before the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Aug. 1. The second is Aug. 15, when the moon will rise around midnight and a little later on subsequent nights. According to NASA, the best way to watch a meteor shower is to get out of the city to the darkest location you can, such as a Dark Sky Place. However, it's wise to check the weather forecast in advance because a clear sky is imperative. Observe somewhere with a clear view of as much of the night sky as possible, with extra layers to keep warm, as well as bug spray, snacks and drinks. Be patient, take a break every 30 minutes and avoid looking at a smartphone whose white light will kill your night vision. The Next Major Meteor Shower After the Perseids come to an end on Aug. 23, the next major meteor shower will be the Orionids. Active from Oct. 2 to Nov. 12, it will peak overnight on Oct. 22-23, one day after October's new moon. That will be perfectly dark skies, making many of the Orionids' predicted 10-20 shooting stars per hour during the peak visible to observers away from light pollution. The Orionid meteor shower is one of two annual meteor showers caused by Halley's Comet, the most famous and one of the largest comets known. The other is the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, which next peaks on May 5-6, 2026. Further Reading Forbes NASA Urges Public To Leave The City As Milky Way Appears — 15 Places To Go By Jamie Carter Forbes Get Ready For The Shortest Day Since Records Began As Earth Spins Faster By Jamie Carter Forbes NASA Spacecraft 'Touches Sun' For Final Time In Defining Moment For Humankind By Jamie Carter

2 summer meteor showers peak soon. When is the best time to see Perseid in Mississippi?
2 summer meteor showers peak soon. When is the best time to see Perseid in Mississippi?

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

2 summer meteor showers peak soon. When is the best time to see Perseid in Mississippi?

If you haven't caught a glimpse of a shooting star yet in July, it's not too late. In fact, the best nights to see the most are happening soon. There are three meteor showers visible over Mississippi now, and the showy fireballs and falling stars will continue until late August. Two of the celestial shows will peak about the same time in late July, but you'll still have weeks to stargaze and catch a peek. The Perseid is the most famous. It runs from about July 17 to Aug. 23, according to the American Meteor Society. The alpha Capricornids are in progress, according to the American Meteor Society, and will be active through about Aug. 12. The Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower will be visible from July 18 through about Aug. 12 as well. Here's what to know about the best times to see shooting stars and places in Mississippi where the night sky will be darkest. When is the best time of night to see Perseid, more meteors in July and early August? All three meteor showers can be visible from evening through dawn, meaning you don't have to stay up super late for this stargazing. You just might not get the best views earlier in the evening. AMS says the best time to see any meteor shower is between midnight and dawn. According to NASA, the Perseids can be seen as early as 10 p.m. It's still summer in Mississippi, so plan ahead if you're spending a lot of time outdoors to watch the sky. Plan for heat and mosquitoes. Nights are cooler but still humid, which can make it hard for sweat to evaporate. Sweating more leads to dehydration faster, so be sure to bring plenty of water and maybe some bug repellent. What is each meteor shower known for? The Perseids are one of the most popular annual astronomical events. They're active for several weeks and can treat viewers to about 50-75 meteors per hour, according to AMS. The moon will likely be bright during the peak evenings in 2025, so only the brightest meteors will be seen. It could reduce visibility by as much as 75%. According to EarthSky, the maximum hourly rate can be about 15-20 visible meteors in a dark sky for the Delta Aquariid. These can be faint and hard to see. The alpha Capricornids have fewer meteors, but they're showier. This shower is known for fireballs, but you might only see about five per hour, according to the Meteor Society. What are the peak nights to see shooting stars in July and August? The American Meteor Society estimates the peak periods will be around July 29-30 for the Delta Aquarids and alpha Capricornids. The Perseids will peak around Aug. 12-13. The new moon was on July 24, making the dark nights before and after the clearest for sky watchers. But other nights, other than around the full moon, will still offer visibility, weather permitting. When is the August full moon? The worst nights for viewing meteor showers will be in the days surrounding the full moon. The full moon in August, called the "Sturgeon Moon," will be on Aug. 9, 2025. Peak illumination will be 2:55 a.m. CT, according to Farmer's Almanac. Moonrise in Jackson will be a 7:48 p.m. CT, on Aug. 8, according to That'll be shortly after sunset around 7:51 p.m. Where are the best dark sky places in Mississippi? Find a great spot to see the night sky Go Astronomy lists some of the best places for seeing the night sky without light pollution in Mississippi. Places that have a Bortle dark-sky scale score are provided. The nine-tier system ranks a three as a rural night sky and a one as an excellent dark sky. Bienville National Forest: Bortle score - 3. Clark Creek Natural Area: Bortle score - 3. De Soto National Forest. Delta National Forest. French Camp. Holly Springs National Forest. Holmes County State Park: Bortle score - 3. Homochitto National Forest: Bortle score - 3. Leroy Percy State Park: Bortle score - 3. Tishomingo State Park: Bortle score - 3. Tombigbee National Forest. The Natchez Trace Parkway has designated stargazing spots from sunrise until 10 p.m.: Big Tree Overlook, milepost 439.4. Little Mountain Exhibit Shelter, milepost 193.1. Reservoir Overlook, milepost 105.6. Are a meteor and a comet the same thing? No. They're different, but they can be related. A comet is an icy ball of rock, frozen gas and dust that orbits the sun. According to NASA, they can be "the size of a small town." As they get near to the sun, comets develop a head that's bigger than some planets made of dust and gas. The resulting tail can be millions of miles long. Meteors, sometimes called shooting stars, are little pieces of debris that we see burn up as they enter the Earth's atmosphere, according to NASA. "Every Perseid meteor is a tiny piece of the comet Swift-Tuttle, which swings by the Sun every 135 years," NASA wrote. Before it enters the atmosphere and is still in space, the rock is called a meteoroid. A meteorite is the part of the meteor that survives the trip and hits the ground. Space Connect reporter Eric Lagatta contributed to this report. Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Summer meteor showers peak soon: When, where to see Perseid, more in MS Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store