Nephology

Nephology

Nephology (play /nɪˈfɒləi/; from the Greek word nephos for 'cloud') is the study of clouds and cloud formation. British meteorologist Luke Howard was a major researcher within this field, establishing a cloud classification system.

While this branch of meteorology still exists today, the term nephology, or nephologist is rarely used. The term came into use at the end of the nineteenth century, and fell out of common use by the middle of the twentieth.[1] Recently, interest in nephology (if not the name) has surged as many meteorologists have begun to focus on the relationship between clouds and global warming.[2] Some nephologists believe that an increase in global temperature could decrease the thickness and brightness (ability to reflect light energy), which would further increase global temperature.[3] Recently research has been going on at CERN's CLOUD facility to study the effects of the solar cycle and cosmic rays on cloud formation.[4]

Notes

  1. ^ "Nephology". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. DRAFT REVISION September 2003. http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/00323129. Retrieved 2007-03-25. 
  2. ^ Fluffy Thinking Financial Times. Retrieved 2007-08-08
  3. ^ Clouds' role in global warming studied CNN website. Retrieved 2007-08-08
  4. ^ "Cloud formation may be linked to cosmic rays" (Press release). Nature News. August 24, 2011. http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110824/full/news.2011.504.html. Retrieved 20 October 2011. 

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  • nephology — [nē fäl′ə jē, nifäl′ə jē] n. 〚 NEPHO + LOGY〛 the branch of meteorology dealing with clouds nephological [nef΄ō läj′i kəl] adj. nephologist n. * * * ne·phol·o·gy (nĕ fŏlʹə jē) n. The branch of meteorology that deals with clouds …   Universalium

  • nephology — [nē fäl′ə jē, nifäl′ə jē] n. [ NEPHO + LOGY] the branch of meteorology dealing with clouds nephological [nef΄ō läj′i kəl] adj. nephologist n …   English World dictionary

  • nephology — noun /nɪˈfɒləʤi/ The branch of meteorology that studies clouds. His heads always in the clouds, so he must want to study nephology …   Wiktionary

  • Nephology (album) — Nephology Studio album by Air Liquide Released 1994 Genre Electronic Length 59:34 (DE) …   Wikipedia

  • nephology — study of clouds Sciences and Studies …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • nephology — ne·phol·o·gy || nɪ fÉ‘lÉ™dʒɪ / fÉ’ n. study of clouds …   English contemporary dictionary

  • nephology — [nɪ fɒlədʒi] noun rare the study or contemplation of clouds. Origin C19: from Gk nephos cloud + logy …   English new terms dictionary

  • nephology — ne·phol·o·gy …   English syllables

  • nephology — /nəˈfɒlədʒi/ (say nuh foluhjee) noun the branch of meteorology that deals with clouds. –nephological /nɛfəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/ (say nefuh lojikuhl), adjective …  

  • nephology —   n. study of clouds.    ♦ nephogram, n. cloud photograph.    ♦ nephoscope, n. instrument measuring direction, velocity, etc., of clouds …   Dictionary of difficult words

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