Artificial atmospheric cloud formations: state and prospects of research

Abstract

The article presents a classification of atmospheric cloud formations, which includes, along with clouds and fogs of natural origin, also anthropogenic atmospheric cloud formations of an unintentional nature, accompanying human economic activity, and intentional nature (artificial clouds and fogs purposefully created by man).
 Based on a systematic analysis of patent materials and information sources in this subject area, possible methods for creating artificial clouds and fogs are summarized, indicating the level of their implementation.
 It is shown that at present it is possible to create the following types of artificial clouds and fogs: artificial cirrus crystalline clouds, artificial convective clouds, artificial wavy clouds, artificial fogs, artificial low-altitude water-aerosol formations. Some results of field experiments on the creation of artificial fogs and clouds of various forms in our country and abroad are presented. 
 The list of solved applied tasks in the creation of artificial clouds and fogs is defined. The possibility of solving such problems is shown by the example of destroying thunderstorms, hail in large areas with the help of artificial cirrus clouds and by the example of destroying frost with the help of artificial fogs created by thermo kinetic installations.