images

Stratocumulus over ocean seen from the space shuttle Discovery.

by

Nasa/Novapix

Reference

t-nua04-00040

Date

2006-09-25

Stratocumulus clouds, southern Pacific Ocean This view is part of a large field of cellular stratocumulus clouds over the southern Pacific Ocean. Such patterns are common over the tropical and subtropical oceans when high pressure dominates and winds are light and variable. Under these stable conditions, a gradual modification of a cool, dry air mass to a more marine nature can occur, forming this cloud pattern. October 2000.