Thursday 4 June 2009

Sky Watch Friday 36



Time flies, not as quickly as these clouds though.
This was the sunset over home last Monday.



In the Sunday Telegraph May 31, there were newly published pictures of spectacular skies,
visit telegraph.co.uk/pictures.

The Science Correspondent Richard Gray, I quote, wrote about the apparent discovery of a previously
undocumented phenomenon.
An unusual storm formation spotted across the world by a collection of enthusiastic amateurs
could be the first new cloud type officially identified in more than half a century.

It was noticed only because of the efforts of the Cloud Appreciation Society,
whose Cloudspotter's Guide became a surprise bestseller three years ago.
Forming a dark lumpy blanket across the sky, the cloud form has been sighted above the Scottish
Highlands and Snowdonia in Wales, on the American prairies, over the mountains of New Zealand
and the Arctic seas off Greenland.

"Its a bit like looking at the surface of a choppy sea from below," said Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of
the society.
He first identified the cloud, named "asperatus"from the Latin for rough, from photographs that
were being sent in by society members.
"We try to identify and classify all the images of clouds we get in, but there were some that just didn't
seem to fit in any of the other categories, so I began to think it might be a unique type of cloud" he said.

Experts at the Royal Meteorological Society are now attempting to have the aspertus officially added to the
International Cloud Atlas,the recognised system of names used by forecasters to identify clouds.
If they succeed, it will be the first new variety classified since 1953.

The spectacular pictures of asperatus clouds shown in the paper were taken above
Hanmer Springs in New Zealand, Schiehallion in Perthshire Scotland and Cedar Rapids,Iowa USA.

To enlarge my picture just click on it.

To see many more Sky Watch pictures just click on the Sky Watch Banner in my side bar on the right.

Dot and Tom founded Sky Watch Friday.
Thanks to them for making us take note of what wonderful things are going on around us.

There are a team of volunteers who monitor and assist in the running of Sky Watch.
Thanks are given to them all for their long hours and dedication.
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26 comments:

P-TER said...

The sky in fire !
Amazing how you did it!
Great!
Gr.
P-TER

Carver said...

Wonderful set of sunset shots!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Glorious montage. Thanks for the tip about the other images too.

bobbie said...

Your sunset pictures are too lovely for words.

Dewdrop said...

Great collection of cloud shots! These are always so beautiful to me, looks like a sky on fire! I had no idea about the "new cloud". I learned something new!!! Thanks!

Susan at Stony River said...

Cool--new clouds? I had no idea, but I have heard of the Cloud Appreciation folks. Great work!

And, beautiful shots this week: happy Skywatching!

Eric(nl) said...

What a nice set of colorfull pictures here, well done!!

A nice Skywatch Friday

Martha Z said...

Nice clouds, great colors.

Carletta said...

Gorgeous firey skies!
Thanks for the info on the 'new clouds.'

My post is here: Carletta’s Captures.

Arija said...

They do have the look of a choppy sea. Let's see whether the new category is sanctioned.

SandyCarlson said...

These are really beautiful.

Kathy W said...

Love those beautiful colors. Hope you have a great weekend.

Sylvia K said...

An amazing and fiery collage! Exquisite! And thanks for the information as well. I got some similar colors in my shots for today.
Happy SWF! Have a great weekend!

Photo Cache said...

Thanks for this fine selection of wonderful sky/sunset photos. It's like receiving the very best boxed chocolates as a gift.

Anonymous said...

A new cloud formation? Wow - that's an interesting idea, and I didn't even know it was possible. Beautiful photos to illustrate.

Tara R. said...

Such stunning colors and the cloud formations amazing.

Unknown said...

Those are wonderful photos..

I just went and googled 'asperatus clouds' ... there are some amazing images of them online.

Essence of Maine said...

Those are some beautiful and colorful skies!

Unseen India Tours said...

What I Can Say Is Beautiful !!

Dancin Fool said...

My goodness they are such lovely shots. And thanks also for the information, as an avid sky watcher that is very interesting.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

BD: What a wonderful look at the colorful sky.

betty-NZ said...

Terrific photos! And thanks for the info. Strange that, after all these years, they are naming a new type of cloud.

bowledover said...

Thanks everyone for your visits and comments.
I too was surprised about a new cloud.
Please either google or visit the web as the pictures are spectacular.
However it mentions that there has not been a new one for 50 years. Which suggests changes before.
Also given that climate change has had an impact on weather conditions
its possible that this is just one more thing to add to the big debate about climate change.

Inday said...

Magnificent sky in your end over there!

Michele said...

OOOOOooo... what gorgeous colors!! WOW... that is impressive... I can only imagine what everything looked like around with that color in the sky...

That was some neat information that you included here... a great read.

Hugs♥

Unseen India Tours said...

Fascinating Post !! Really Wonderful And Colorful Clouds !! Great One..

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