In a surprising show, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) lately captured a lightning storm illuminating the skies above Singapore. The picture, taken throughout the station’s orbit over Southeast Asia, exhibits intense bursts of sunshine flickering via cloud cowl within the area.
What’s it?
The ISS sits in low Earth orbit, offering a novel vantage level for observing large-scale climate phenomena, occasions corresponding to wildfires, volcanoes, snowfall and extra.
Because the ISS handed above the city-state of Singapore at 3:18 a.m. native time on June 15, the crew witnessed an electrifying storm with flashes of lightning throughout the panorama. The flash, which seems virtually spherical within the picture, is because of lightning hanging the clouds above the city space, according to NASA.
The place is it?
The ISS was orbiting 259 miles (417 kilometers) above the South China Sea when this picture was captured.
Why is it superb?
Observing lightning from house gives essential information for atmospheric scientists. Singapore and the encompassing areas have plenty of storm exercise, making them hotspots for finding out tropical climate patterns.
Whereas weather satellites orbit Earth and research related patterns and phenomena, having an additional set of eyes, together with human ones, on and across the planet offers consultants extra information to work with, which may be helpful in growing extra correct modeling and forecasting frameworks.
Wish to study extra?
You may learn extra about the International Space Station and Earth’s weather satellites as scientists proceed finding out Earth’s climate.