The asymmetric formation of frost often comes from very local differences in temperature on the surface concerned. Imagine a wall, a window, or even the...
To understand how sand can end up high in the sky, it all starts on the ground. The wind blows over a dry surface, initially...
Even though it seems unlikely, it is possible to receive rain while the sky appears perfectly clear. This phenomenon is mainly explained by the presence...
The Earth's magnetic field typically forms a kind of protective shield that deflects charged particles from the Sun towards the polar regions. But sometimes, it...
In flight, the airplane becomes a prime target for lightning as it significantly disrupts the electric field of the air around it. By passing through...
When a plane flies at high altitude, its engines primarily expel hot gases rich in water vapor into an extremely cold atmosphere. This harsh contrast...
Frost in the shape of feathers most often appears when it is cold and rather humid. When the air contains a lot of water vapor...
In the cloud, the small water droplets spend their time bumping into each other. Sometimes, they merge to form larger drops: this is coalescence. The...
Ozone, present in the stratosphere (a layer located at about 15 to 35 kilometers altitude), acts somewhat like a giant sunscreen for our planet: it...
When light hits the snow, it doesn't pass directly through the crystals. It bounces multiple times in all directions, moving from one crystal to another. This is...
