MSGID: 1:317/3 6472454c   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   May 27, 2023 - Popcorn Clouds in the Congo Basin   
      
      Popcorn clouds   
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      Clouds covered the Congo Basin on May 24, 2023, when the Moderate   
      Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Terra   
      satellite captured this stunning true-color image. In some areas, the   
      clouds look puffy—almost like popcorn scattered across the scene. Note,   
      however, that clouds are completely absent over rivers and lakes in the   
      region, including the Congo River which curves across the center of the   
      scene.   
      
      The Congo River Basin, located along the equator in central Africa,   
      holds a mosaic of dense rain forest, savanna, swamps, and even flooded   
      forests, all filled with lush vegetation and considerable moisture.   
      This area is also known as one of the cloudiest places on Earth.   
      
      Cloud formation in the Congo River Basin is in large part driven by   
      water vapor released from trees and other plants throughout the day.   
      Plants convert light, carbon dioxide, and water into sugar and oxygen   
      through photosynthesis. As the plants inhale carbon dioxide, water   
      vapor escapes, a process called transpiration. On dry, sunny days, the   
      plants respond to the additional light by increasing photosynthesis,   
      which releases water vapor into the atmosphere. As the warm, moist air   
      above the plant canopy rises, it eventually begins to cool clouds form   
      overhead.   
      
      In addition, the land itself gives off heat and moisture on warm days.   
      This process, called evaporation, also creates clouds. The most common   
      clouds formed in the Congo Basin are low-altitude cumulus clouds, which   
      earned the nickname “popcorn” clouds due to their puffy appearance.   
      
      Bodies of water, on the other hand, do not change temperature as   
      rapidly as forest and land. Water remains cooler even during full Sun   
      exposure, typically not heating up enough to significantly warm the air   
      above it. Because of the cooler temperatures, the air doesn’t rise, and   
      clouds don’t form.   
      
      Image Facts   
      Satellite:  Terra   
      Date Acquired: 5/24/2023   
      Resolutions:  1km (495.7 KB),  500m (1.6 MB),  250m (1.8 MB)   
      Bands Used: 1,4,3   
      Image Credit: MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC   
      
      
      
   https://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/individual.php?db_date=2023-05-27   
       
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