Friday, April 16, 2021

Atmospheric Particulates...

Spring time breezes seem to create an uptick in air borne debris, on Earth and Mars. Plants getting busy, pumping the pollen and spores, drought prone regions getting dusty and throw in a few volcanoes and Earth's atmosphere is full of (mostly) unseen particles.
Most everything in Va. has a yellow tinge from pollen, mostly pine at this point. The recent rain helped but that washing is mostly done with none coming of significance anytime soon. Beijing, with centuries of worst practices in farming, has been dark with dust storms of late, 3 monsters so far. In an oppressive country, stuck deep in superstition and wacko beliefs and practices , I like to think it's a bit of karma from the planet dousing them in Mongolian dust.. It's not, but it is a direct result of their overpopulation and horrid treatment of their part of the planet. Trees filter a lot of that dust, and slow the wind, but they have cut most of them down.
Mars dust storms have created a bad scene for NASA; solar panels on their latest rover, successfully deployed, are covered in dust and in need of a non-dust laden wind to clean them off..or dead batteries will result in a dead rover:(
St. Vincent ash, while likely not a big issue across the Atlantic in Africa, still gives you an idea of how far dust, ash and smoke can travel on a very breezy planet. Remember, Europe was shrouded in Sahara dust no long ago. That dust also lands on the Caribbean islands now returning the favor with tiny glass shards. Va. skies were hazy with west coast fire smoke last summer; when the wind blows, the dust goes!!
Clear skies here last night made for gorgeous sky viewing; the crescent moon, brightened with Earth shine near Aldebaran, the Winter Triangle (Betelgeuse, Procyon & Sirius) pointing moonward. Mars and Capella farther overhead. After many not so clear days, quite lovely. Our satellite will be nearer to Mars tonight, hope for clear skies!
But, clear skies and no humidity mean the temp, not exactly jumping up quickly will drop again tonight making for a chilly evening..again, it's Spring. Cool temps and little rain dominate the forecast for much of what remains of April. Time...
The sun is getting spotty; 1 newly numbered spot with two more likely to get there own code later today; the new cycle with a little uptick.
Speaking of ticks; they are out, check after outdoor wanders.
A rather slow day of quakes, only 2 even shook the meters to mag. 5. We all know that will change, but where.
TrumpVirus deaths above 900 again yesterday, with over 70K new cases. Even as vaccinations continue to go into arms dumbasses continue to ignore simple guidelines and spread the virus. Republicans whine a lot but still have no plans, for anything. No is not a plan. No black voters, no abortions and more guns is not a plan, it's a travesty..but, standard for suckers, still on their knees, conned by a NY slumlord.
A big dog is back home..WOOOOOO..time to take him and myself for a walk, Today On Earth.

No comments:

Post a Comment