Ship tracks across the Pacific Ocean

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features ship tracks across the North Pacific Ocean near the Aleutian Islands. Until a NASA scientist identified the lines as ship tracks, they were initially thought to be white streaks left behind by an aircraft. Particles that are released by the smokestacks of ships are carried up into the atmosphere, where they act as cloud condensation nuclei in the low-lying clouds. Given the right wind conditions, ship tracks can remain visible for many hours. This image was captured …

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