Is an ice age on it's way?

Question

Noctilucent clouds that are usually seen over the poles have recently been seen as far south as iran and West France.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/aim/multimedia/first_view.html

Answer 1

ice ages happen every 20,000 years, upon what has been recorded. so tis ok. we all just move to the southern hemisphere.

Answer 2

Not till my vacation.

Answer 3

Yes, lovely aren't they? I've been trying to get some pictures (West of England)

As for being precursors of an Ice age, I don't think so. The climate is changing, for sure, but it is a complex thing to model and no one is really sure what will eventually unfold.

Answer 4

Wow...even in the north noctilucent clouds are a rare event.  I don't think anyone's figured out what they are...they aren't water vapor apparently.  If they're expanding southward it could be a sign of major cooling in the high atmosphere.

Answer 5

not really

the Poles shift around, so come 2020, magnetic North will be a different reading..

Answer 6

"I don't think anyone's figured out what they are...they aren't water vapor apparently".

Most clouds are not strictly water vapor, as they are mostly condensed water. I would assume that, because they occur at such high elevations, they are mostly ice crystals.

"is an ice age on it's way?"

I doubt it. I don't think anyone has postulated that more noctilucent clouds at lower latitudes are a sign of a coming ice age. They may be some sort of "thermostat" feature of our planet--more clouds at higher altitudes raises planet's albedo, helping to cool us.

Answer 7

Maybe in 500-1000 years

its not going to effect me.

Answer 8

Actually, we're coming out of one as we speak, the Little Ice Age.  If we do enter another one, somehow I'm sure the alarmists will find a way to blame global warming . . .excuse me, I mean climate change, since that seems to be the buzzword of choice that allows for a larger umbrella of blame.

Answer 9

It is widely believed that we've already entered one and it will be quicker because of the pollutants and decreased ozone in the atmosphere. Core testing and analysis of ice near the south pole is quite convincing, as the quality of the atmosphere is determined by the composition in the layers of ice. They even have determined the eruption of Krakatoa and the climate change brought on by that historic event.

Answer 10

Technically, we are in an interglacial period of the current Ice Age.  We have already had several periods of glaciation and interglacial periods that come and go in intervals near 100,000 years.

Answer 11

Alot of people believe that something big might happen in 2012 like a big international natural disaster that will bring about the end of the world. Because 2012 is when the Mayan Calander ends. A tribe call the Mayans who lived thousands of years ago ended their calander in 2012 as if to say that there would be no more time left. December 21st 2012 to be exact. Some people have predicted that it will be an Ice Age. Other predict a Supernova in our Galaxy. Meaning our sun burning out all it's remaining energy being poured out on the earth. Which would be very very hot at first to have the sun pour out all it's energy. But then after that of course thered be an Ice Age. But who would survive the heat to see that happen? Others predict Astreods. And alot of other things. http://www.december212012.net/ WATCH THIS VIDEO. GO TO THE LINK.