Condensing moisture from ocean currents in some parts of the world creates clouds that stay uniformly in position above that current for months at a time. This example shows cloud hanging above the cold Benguela current, which travels northward along the Atlantic coast of southwest Africa. It is interesting that while the ocean is densely cloud-covered and the clouds lap at the coast, they never cross the coastline. The pinkish-colored Namib Desert is one of the driest places on Earth, confirming that the cloud associated with the ocean current does not stray off its prescribed track. Indeed, the Namib Desert is home to unique inhabitants — insects with leg hairs especially adapted to collect moisture from morning dew--a strange irony of life on Earth where moisture-laden clouds hang so close by.

STS 51-G, June 1985. Picture #25-46-076.

Right click here to download a high-resolution version of the image (8.49 MB)