‘Sky combs’ appear over Antarctica: Ukrainian polar researchers describe the phenomenon.

Ukrainian polar researchers have discovered an unusual phenomenon in Antarctica - "sky combs", which form due to Kelvin-Helmholtz instability when two streams with different densities collide. This was reported by the National Antarctic Scientific Center.

The scientists explained that this instability can occur at the boundary between two different media or two layers of the same medium.

An example of instability is the waves on the surface of the water created under the influence of the wind. Under certain conditions, they become unstable, and foamy crests appear on their tops.

"Sky combs" arise as a result of the interaction of different layers of the troposphere - the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere.

This phenomenon is often associated with temperature inversion, where the upper layer of air is warmer than the lower one. A similar phenomenon can be observed in the mountains when cold air descends down the slopes.

The upper stream moves faster and interacts with the slower and colder lower stream, leading to the formation of waves with crests," the researchers explained.

The researchers also noted that most of these waves remain invisible in the atmosphere. Only under certain conditions, when there is moisture-saturated air at the boundary of the layers, do the waves with crests become visible to the human eye.

Earlier, Ukrainian polar researchers recorded a record wind speed near the Arctic station "Akademik Vernadsky", which belongs to Ukraine.