Weather Watching

[Turtle]

You never know what may pop in while clouding, and in this case it is a UFO taking a steep climb over PDX ~ 7:00 am. Looking due South, inclination of camera ~ 22º.

 

The jerky video motion result from the way Sony gets the Super NightShot infrared capability, which is to leave the shutter open for a few frames. You loose some clarity, but no other consumer camera I have seen even has the infrared capability.

 

The clouds are nice too. :hihi:

YouTube - UFO over PDX http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moPDOaNJ2DE

[freeztar]

Nice vids Turtle!

 

You never know what may pop in while clouding, and in this case it is a fighter jet (F-15?) taking off from PDX ~ 7:00 am. I presume it's military anyway from the steep climb. :D Looking due South, inclination of camera ~ 22º.

 

Are you sure that's not superman? Or perhaps it's a...:eek::):)

:hihi:

 

The jerky video motion and elongated plane lights result from the way Sony gets the Super NightShot infrared capability, which is to leave the shutter open for a few frames. You loose some clarity, but no other consumer camera I have seen even has the infrared capability.

 

My gfriend bought a sony vid cam a few months ago and I've played around with it a bit. The zoom is 32x optical! ;) And the IR is indeed very, very :cool:! I'm going to suggest that she leave it with me for a while (:hihi:) as I want to shoot lots of different things like fresnel->charcoal, the birds in my yard, the Moon, and...

The clouds are nice too. :D

 

Oh yeah, clouds, that's the ticket...:D

[freeztar]

While researching orographic lift, I stumbled on the first paragraph (the rest makes sense to me).

 

Orographic lift occurs when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain. As the air mass gains altitude it expands and cools adiabatically.

(emphasis mine...of course)

 

Adiabatic process - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In thermodynamics, an adiabatic process or an isocaloric process is a thermodynamic process in which no heat is transferred to or from the working fluid.

 

So what I don't understand is why an adiabatic process transfers no heat, to or from the working fluid, in the case of orographic lift. How does the air cool as it crests a mountain if it does not lose heat? I understand pressure, altitude, etc.; but, I can't wrap my mind around the idea of something transfering heat, without....errrr....transferring heat. :)

[Turtle]

While researching orographic lift, I stumbled on the first paragraph (the rest makes sense to me).

Originally Posted by wiki

Orographic lift occurs when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain. As the air mass gains altitude it expands and cools adiabatically.

(emphasis mine...of course)

 

Adiabatic process - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

So what I don't understand is why an adiabatic process transfers no heat, to or from the working fluid, in the case of orographic lift. How does the air cool as it crests a mountain if it does not lose heat? I understand pressure, altitude, etc.; but, I can't wrap my mind around the idea of something transfering heat, without....errrr....transferring heat. ;)

 

 

A transformation of a thermodynamic system can be considered adiabatic when it is quick enough that no significant heat is transferred between the system and the outside.

 

I think the air is cooler because it has a lower density per unit volume. Fewer molecules banging around the room and all that? :D Following your lead to read :cool:, the only thing 'outside' the system is the ground?

 

Clear outside right now as I do a test run on the prototype SUCTON 2 and wait for a week of forecast storms rolling off the Pacific Ocean. :) It's weather whether you watch it or not. :)

[Turtle]

Nice vids Turtle!

 

Are you sure that's not superman? Or perhaps it's a...:eek:

:hihi:

 

Thanks to your comment and further urging by Ace Banyon, I recast the video in question as a UFO over PDX at YouTube. Get's more views and all that. :hihi:

 

However, while I can't exactly identify the object, I can explain it. I couldn't figure out why , if it was an F-15 as I thought, there was no sound; they rattle the windows when they take off. Also, I am considerably East of the end of the runways and they go near straight up as soon as the wheels leave the ground.

 

Not alien either, unless they have adopted our standard aircraft lights. :Alien: :naughty:

 

So, what is it? It is actually a high-altitude jet crossing overhead, which is why you can't hear it, and the camera is inclined ~22 degrees which is why it appears to be in a steep climb.

YouTube - UFO over PDX http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moPDOaNJ2DE

 

My gfriend bought a sony vid cam a few months ago and I've played around with it a bit. The zoom is 32x optical! :eek_big: And the IR is indeed very, very :cool:! I'm going to suggest that she leave it with me for a while (:hihi:) as I want to shoot lots of different things like fresnel->charcoal, the birds in my yard, the Moon, and...

 

 

Oh yeah, clouds, that's the ticket...:D

 

Giddy up. :doh:

[Turtle]

I caught some ranks of clouds (probably contrails & not undular waves) near 10:30 pm, but the uploaded video is darker than the file on the camera and you can't even see the clouds!! :shrug: Here's the dark vid & I'm off to seek help lightening it.

YouTube - night clouds

 

I didn't lighten the entire vdeo, but instead grabbed a still from it and applied the Equalization I discussed in Skywatching post#159. Here's the result. More than just bands, the formation appears to be checkerboard in spots. (upper-right):eek: :hihi:

[freeztar]

2 dozen tornadoes in 24 hours!! :hihi:

:shrug:

 

ABC News: Two Dozen Tornadoes in 24 Hours

[freeztar]

I think the air is cooler because it has a lower density per unit volume. Fewer molecules banging around the room and all that? :shrug: Following your lead to read , the only thing 'outside' the system is the ground?

 

I forgot to address this. Indeed, you are correct. I wasn't factoring in density properly.

Your last sentence in the above quote sounds correct to me based upon my current understanding. :hihi:

[Turtle]

Atmospheric optics expert Les Cowley has brought a new site online that focuses on...well...atmospheric optics. :ebomb: For at least the last couple years, Mr. Cowley has been the goto guy for SpaceWeather.com on skylight phenomena, and this page looks like an exciting new addition. Spaceweather says:

High Atmosphere" explains the physics and fascination of airglow, rocket trails, gravity waves and much more.

Enjoy. :evil: :shrug:

 

High Atmosphere - Atmospheric Optics

[Michaelangelica]

La Nina behind Australia's drought

"The drought that's going on in Australia right now is a very serious drought and it is one of the atypical situations associated with this particular La Niña event," says WMO climate specialist Dr Leslie Malone.

News in Science - La Nina behind Australia's drought - 01/11/2007

Rain predicted tomorrow, lets hope.

I didn't water the plants today.

[freeztar]

My brother, who is a professional photographer, sent me a link to his photos on Flickr and there are some amazing cloud pictures. The most recent ones are b/w's taken from a jet over the Caribean, very pretty. Also there are some SUC (Straight up cam) shots of the St. Louis Arch and the clouds beyond.

 

Here are some of the highlights:

PR_14.JPG on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/1890774621/

PR_23.JPG on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/1891583248/

PR_20.JPG on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/1891582792/

PR_17.JPG on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/1890750575/

PR_21.JPG on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/1891581868/

PR_27.JPG on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/1891518816/

PR_33.JPG on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/1890411773/ (tropical storm front moving in over Puerto Rico!!)

IMG_9639b.jpg on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/1418265203/ (SUC)

Flickr: Image http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/1282205793/

C-33.jpg on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/244788442/

S.F.01-5.jpg on Flickr - Photo Sharing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/studio113/244783118/

[Michaelangelica]

It rained!!

 

Then it rained again!!!

 

I need to look at how widespread it was.

 

I will report when I am less excited!

[Michaelangelica]

So nice to hear rain on the roof turn over and go back to sleep

Lots of thunderstorms

so there should be lots of mushrooms, in the cow paddocks, next week!

Norah Head, NSW - Daily Weather Observations

[freeztar]

Well, it's been really warm in Atlanta the last few days. In fact, it was a record setting 77 degrees F today.

 

"I'm dreaming of a hot Christmas...." :phones:

 

The prior record was 74 degrees in 1972. More here:

FFC Product Viewer

[Turtle]

Well, it's been really warm in Atlanta the last few days. In fact, it was a record setting 77 degrees F today. :cheer:

 

"I'm dreaming of a hot Christmas...." :phones:

 

The prior record was 74 degrees in 1972. More here:

FFC Product Viewer

 

:eek: If it's not one thing, it's another as Ma used to say. :hyper: Here in the Evergreen State of Washington, we had our second 100 year storm & flooding in 11 years. :eek: I didn't total all the water in my gauge, but I do recall emptying one 2 1/2" measure from a 15 hour period. :weather_rain:Parts of Washington & Oregon both have received Federal disaster classification. While my immediate area received heavy rainfall, the drainage engineering used worked like a charm.

 

On that note a bit, my neighborhhod (about 10 years old)is designed so storm drains feed fenced grassy swales which contain any excess and slowly release it to streams. The house gutters feed into a drain field setup rather than directly to the storm drains.

 

We have had some snow the last couple days, which didn't really stick, but I never have any problem dreaming for a white Christmas. : :snowflake:Today is dry, a chilly 38º F, mostly clear.

[freeztar]

On that note a bit, my neighborhhod (about 10 years old)is designed so storm drains feed fenced grassy swales which contain any excess and slowly release it to streams. The house gutters feed into a drain field setup rather than directly to the storm drains.

 

Oh, so you mean that it follows natural drainage in a way that mitigates runoff? Awesome! :)

 

I was looking at videos on Youtube from Olympia and it was quite strange to see familiar places flooded up to the tops of cars. It never rained that hard while I was there (only an earthquake to mention).

[CharlieO]

Don't forget the snow and ice. Here on the Colorado plains we now have about a foot of snow, five feet in the mountains. Temperatures here below zero last night, well below predicted. Still a beautiful sight for us retired folk, but working people have my sympathy!

 

Regards to all, CharlieO