Clouds Descending .....?



Earth’s clouds descended a little — about one percent on average — during last decade, finds a new NASA-funded university study based on NASA satellite data.
 The results have potential implications for future global climate.


Decreasing global cloud heights suggest negative feedback over the last decade
Data from NASA's MISR instrument on NASA's Terra spacecraft show that global average cloud height declined by about 1 percent over the decade from 2000 to 2010, or around 100 to 130 feet (30 to 40 meters). (Image credit: University of Auckland/NASA JPL-Caltech)
Data from NASA's MISR instrument on NASA's Terra spacecraft show that global average cloud height declined by about 1 percent over the decade from 2000 to 2010, or around 100 to 130 feet (30 to 40 meters). (Image credit: University of Auckland/NASA JPL-Caltech)
The study was recently published in GRL.
Global cloud height fluctuations measured by MISR on Terra from 2000 to 2010
Roger Davies & Matthew Molloy
http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2012/2011GL050506.shtml

Read Reports:
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-02/earths-clouds-are-sinking-and-could-help-cool-planet
http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/02/22/nasa-satellite-finds-earths-clouds-are-getting-lower/

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