Mysterious Circular Cloud Holes Above Florida Finally Explained by NASA
A captivating image captured by NASA’s Terra satellite has revealed a cluster of peculiar circular holes in the clouds above Florida. This rare phenomenon, previously mistaken for UFO sightings, has finally been explained by scientists after more than six decades of speculation. The image, released by NASA’s Earth Observatory on February 26, showcases these enigmatic voids, known as fallstreak holes or hole-punch clouds, hovering above the Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s west coast.
The appearance of these circular holes dates back to the 1940s, triggering wild theories suggesting extraterrestrial involvement. However, the truth behind these mysterious formations is far simpler than anticipated. The holes are actually created by airplanes passing through the clouds.
The recent photographs reveal two types of clouds: cavum clouds, characterized by large, circular holes, and canal clouds, which possess a more elongated shape. These cloud formations are most commonly found in altocumulus clouds, which are supercooled bands of water vapor floating between 7,000 and 18,000 feet above the Earth’s surface. Altocumulus clouds exist at higher altitudes than typical rain clouds and can reach temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit without their water droplets freezing. This is due to the scarcity of small particles like dust and pollen required for ice crystals to form in the air.
However, when airplanes move through the clouds, the air around their wings and propellers further cools the surrounding water vapor by up to 36 degrees Fahrenheit. At such frigid temperatures, the droplets freeze even without particles to form around them. Consequently, these frozen droplets descend below the holes, creating delicate strands of cloud known as virga. These wispy clouds often linger beneath the holes from which they originated and can be observed at the core of these misty voids when viewed from above.
The Earth Observatory has determined that the holes captured in the recent image were all generated by planes departing from Miami International Airport. While cavum and canal clouds can form naturally under specific atmospheric conditions, this occurrence is rare. Scientists only recently uncovered the cause of these more frequent artificially created holes within the last 15 years. In a groundbreaking 2011 study, researchers utilized satellite images and flight data to definitively establish planes as the culprits behind these formations.
Furthermore, the study revealed that the angle at which planes ascend or descend through the clouds determines the type of hole that appears. A steep angle results in the formation of circular cavum clouds, while a more gradual angle produces stretched canal clouds. Typically, these cloud formations persist for approximately one hour before closing up. However, their lifespan can be influenced by various factors such as temperature, cloud density, and wind speeds.
Fortunately, these holes pose no threat to individuals on the ground. However, the study did indicate that they can marginally increase precipitation in the areas surrounding airports.
In conclusion, what was once a perplexing and unexplained phenomenon has now been demystified by NASA. The captivating circular cloud holes above Florida, previously associated with UFO sightings, are simply the result of airplanes traversing through the clouds. This discovery, made possible through satellite imagery and flight data analysis, has shed light on a natural occurrence that had puzzled scientists and intrigued the public for over six decades.
