Meteorological applications of space shuttle photography

Abstract

The meteorological applications of photography by astronauts is demonstrated fay both synoptic and mesoscale studies. Shuttle photographs of Hurricane Elena and an extratropical cyclone illustrate the value of high resolution and oblique perspective in describing the circulation of these storms and their associated cloud patterns. Studies of barrier effects, a persistent dry slot pattern and a horizontal roll cloud utilize these photographs to interpret and document mesoscale features.

Earth observations during space shuttle mission STS‐33: November 23–27, 1989

“…Also of interest is the wave pattern present in the cloud field on one side of the wake clearing. This case can be added to the barrier island cases studied earlier (Wash, et al, 1989) to further document the role of horizontal wind flow and vertical stability in producing different barrier phenomena. Another barrier cloud pattern ( Figure 17) reveals a gravity wave packet along the southeast coast of Africa.…”