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Maghera Mesocyclone/Poss LP Supercell - August 1st 08

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Author Topic: Maghera Mesocyclone/Poss LP Supercell - August 1st 08  (Read 739 times)
martinastro
Martin Mc Kenna
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« on: August 06, 2008, 11:39:21 am »

Here's a few images of the monster cell which appeared over Maghera on friday evening August 1st. It had a very large mesocyclone and based on the visual features I believe this is a good candidate for a rare LP supercell over N. Ireland. It has been a major goal of mine to catch a Meso. So with a solar eclipse, the excitement of John's funnel and the meso during the evening, I would say that this would be a day which I will never forget. I have a report with images on my site...

Page 1

http://www.nightskyhunter.com/Maghera%20Mesocyclone%20-%20August%201st%202008%20-%20Page%201.html

Page 2

http://www.nightskyhunter.com/Maghera%20Mesocyclone%20-%20Page%202.html

Here's a video clip...

















A meso is a persistent rotating updraught within a storm cell. This one had an area of rotation longer than several football pitches end on end and was cranking for over 1.5 hours. It also produced inflow bands and a wall cloud. These cells are capable of strong tornadoes and big hail. They are rare in the UK but are a big attaction in the states.  More info...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesocyclone

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercell
« Last Edit: August 06, 2008, 11:42:24 am by martinastro » Report Spam   Logged

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Paul
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« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2008, 12:15:27 pm »

Gosh, that's magnificent stuff Martin - very well caught! This is some "summer" we're having.

P.
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Steveo74
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« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2008, 02:08:23 pm »

Fantastic Martin!!!! That was a big beast of a cloud system, you captured it well... Well done....
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Thanks,
         Steven..

Visit my Blog http://steviesskyshack.blogspot.com

Visit my Flickr  http://www.flickriver.com/photos/16671294@N07/
Paul
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« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2008, 05:36:18 pm »

Martin, I take it you've sent this to BBC NI? I shall be watching :-)

P.
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martinastro
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« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2008, 06:44:06 pm »

Thanks very much guys!

Paul, I actually haven't. I wasn't going to because I thought I would be pushing my luck. Do you think I should?, and if so, which images should I send in?

Thanks  Smiley
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martinastro
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« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2008, 07:13:45 pm »

Here's an annotated version with the storm structures identified. I forgot to mark the striations in the updraught near the word Mesocyclone which is another visual sign of rapid rotation.

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Paul
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« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2008, 08:47:31 pm »

Now that's a fabulous annotated photo Martin  - very informative for those of us who are some way behind you on the weather front Smiley

I'd seriously send in an unannotated version of that  pic to the Beeb - I don't think there's a restriction on how many times you can be on!

P.
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martinastro
Martin Mc Kenna
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« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2008, 10:23:08 pm »

Glad you liked the annotated version. It took me some time to put that together.

I sent in the full size version of the above image and an annotated version and talked a bit about the phenomena. It's in their hands now. Hopefully it should generate some interest.

Thanks.
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Roman White
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« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2008, 12:15:45 pm »

Martin, what a great photos!!  Smiley It looks like a real storm, not like other gentle storms. I have no words to comment, just beatiful weather. Underlined weather because when it is warm and clear (like today in Poltava) I can say there is no weather.
Especially liked your annotated photo  Smiley

Now I recall January. That's what I call weather!


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SkyWatcher 130/900mm EQ3, Bresser 76/700mm, 20x90 bino. and other, Olympus SP-550UZ
Eclipse & comet chaser, occultation & meteor observer
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