Science in Seconds - Cloud Seeding

Science in Seconds Know Everything RUMOURS - Cloud Seeding Brit Trogen: What do ski resorts, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Beijing Weather Modification Office have in common? They all engage in something called cloud seeding, a controversial technique once mocked by scientists and meteorologists alike as belonging in the realm of pseudoscience, but now clawing its way back into the mainstream. Cloud seeding works by dispersing chemicals like silver iodide into the air, where they can act as nuclei for the formation of ice particles, increasing the precipitation that falls from the clouds. And, just like that one superhero from X-Men who can only manipulate fire, cloud seeding only works on clouds that are already formed. It can't create them out of nothing. Now, at first glance, it seems pretty cool. Drought stricken areas could reduce crop damage just by sending silver iodide rockets into the sky. But, as it turns out, we can't always control all the variables. Earlier this year, an attempt by the Chinese government to increase rain using this technique ended up causing record breaking snowfall instead, in addition to over 40 weather related deaths. So, when it comes down to it, weather modification goes into a long list of things we probably shouldn't be messing with. Worst case scenario, something goes wrong and we end up with a world full of personal Eeyore style storm clouds floating over our heads. Oh, bother. Courtesy of Science in Seconds – All rights reserved Only for educational/non-profit purposes. (Translators are invited to put their name here)