Study Finds Industrial Aerosols May Cause Local Snowfall by Freezing Clouds
Research led by the University of Tartu has revealed a potential link between industrial air pollution and localised snowfall. Observations using both satellite and ground-based radar indicate that industrial facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia may trigger local snowfall by causing ice to form in supercooled clouds. This phenomenon, observed near factories such as copper smelters and coal power plants, results from the release of aerosol particles that interact with clouds in specific atmospheric conditions. Dr V. Toll, an associate professor at the University of Tartu, highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary research in identifying this process.
Aerosols and Snow Formation
Industries, especially those involved in cement production, metallurgy, and fossil fuel combustion, emit aerosols—tiny solid and liquid particles that significantly affect cloud properties. Aerosols have been shown to increase the number of cloud droplets, thereby brightening clouds and reducing solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. However, the new findings suggest that, in certain conditions, these particles also trigger the freezing of liquid cloud droplets, resulting in snowfall downwind from industrial sites. Weather radar images taken near industrial locations in Canada and Russia show unique plumes of snowfall, a discovery corroborated by satellite data indicating concurrent reductions in cloud cover.
Supercooling in Cloud Droplets
Cloud droplets can remain in liquid form at temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius in a process known as supercooling. Only when suitable particles, such as anthropogenic aerosols, are present can these droplets freeze at temperatures between zero and -40 degrees Celsius. Toll’s team suggests that aerosol emissions, combined with heat and water vapour from industrial facilities, are likely inducing ice formation within clouds, resulting in snowfall. While this phenomenon has been observed at specific sites, it is uncertain whether similar mechanisms affect cloud formation on larger scales.
Further Research Required
The study, published in Science, underscores the need for further investigation into the role of different aerosol types in ice nucleation processes. Future research will aim to understand whether these localised snowfall events have broader atmospheric impacts and to identify the types of aerosol emissions most effective in initiating ice formation in supercooled clouds.
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Bronze statues, including depictions of snakes and a child priest, have been uncovered from a hot spring at San Casciano dei Bagni in Italy, according to the Italian Ministry of Culture, as per reports. The site, located around 120 kilometres northwest of Rome, has been excavated since 2019 and is believed to have been used for sacred rituals dating back to the third century B.C. The spring, originally used by the Etruscans and later adopted by the Romans, was a place where votive offerings were made in hopes of divine protection or healing, as per reports.
Discovery of Snake Statues and Other Artefacts
Bronze snake statues, some measuring up to 90 centimetres in length, were among the latest findings during the 2024 excavation, as reported by the excavation team. These statues were discovered in the deeper layers of the spring and are thought to have symbolised protection for the sacred waters. Other artefacts include a nude male figure inscribed with the name “Gaius Roscius” and a child priest holding a ball, which may have been used in divination rituals.
Preserved Organic Remains Found
The excavation also revealed well-preserved organic remains, such as eggs with visible yolks, pine cones, and plant matter. According to the Italian Ministry of Culture, in a statement, these items may have been used in rituals symbolising rebirth and regeneration. The preservation of these items is attributed to their rapid burial in sediment.
Expert Perspective
Alexandra Carpino, an art history professor at Northern Arizona University, commented in an email to Live Science that these findings are among the most significant discoveries of the 21st century. The range of artefacts provides insights into the role of healing sanctuaries in ancient societies.
Ongoing Research at the Site
Research continues at San Casciano dei Bagni, with scholars examining the inscriptions and artefacts to uncover more about the Etruscan and Roman use of the spring.
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A new pulsar, PSR J1922+37, has been discovered with a spin period of 1.92 seconds using the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) in China, according to a report. The finding was made in the direction of the open cluster NGC 6791. If confirmed as a member of this cluster, it would be the first pulsar identified in an open cluster, a breakthrough in pulsar and stellar cluster research, according to sources.
Key Details of PSR J1922+37
The finding was reported in a paper published Dec. 11 on the arXiv preprint server. As per reports, the pulsar PSR J1922+37 has been observed with a dispersion measure of 85 pc/cm³ and a flux density of approximately 7.0 µJy. Its position aligns closely with the location of NGC 6791, with an offset of 14 arcminutes from the cluster’s centre. The estimated distance of the pulsar, 15,600 light-years, is consistent with the cluster’s distance range, which is calculated to be between 13,100 and 16,000 light-years.
According to the study, led by Xiao-Jin Liu of Beijing Normal University, the dense stellar environment of NGC 6791 increases the likelihood of pulsars being present within the cluster. Researchers have suggested that precise measurements of PSR J1922+37’s distance and proper motion will be necessary to confirm its association with NGC 6791.
Potential for Further Discoveries
The researchers indicated that NGC 6791’s compact and high surface brightness environment could host additional pulsars. An estimate provided in the study predicts that as many as nine pulsars may exist within this cluster. The team noted that further observations using advanced techniques could help verify these predictions.
The report further highlights that the discovery has been described as a significant development in the understanding of pulsars within open clusters, an area of study previously limited due to low stellar density in such regions. Verification of PSR J1922+37’s cluster membership will require additional studies, including proper motion analysis to establish a definitive connection.
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