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How did clouds get their names? - Richard Hamblyn

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TEDEd Animation

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The study of clouds has always been a daydreamer’s science, aptly founded by a thoughtful young man whose favorite activity was staring out of the window at the sky. Richard Hamblyn tells the history of Luke Howard, the man who classified the clouds and forever changed humanity’s understanding of these changeable, mysterious objects.

Luke Howard chose Latin words for the names that he gave the clouds. Why do you think he chose Latin, and how did it help him create his cloud classification?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Richard Hamblyn
  • Director Nick Hilditch
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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