Posted on 04/17/2013 5:13:33 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: What kind of cloud is next to that mountain? A lenticular. This type of cloud forms in air that passes over a mountain, rises up again, and cools past the dew point -- so what molecular water carried in the air condenses into droplets. The layered nature of some lenticular clouds may make them appear, to some, as large alien spaceships. In this case, the mountain pictured is Mt. Hood located in Oregon, USA. Lenticular clouds can only form when conditions are right -- for example this is first time this astrophotographer has seen a lenticular cloud at night near Mt. Hood. The above image was taken in mid-March about two hours before dawn.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit & Copyright: Ben Canales]
For scenery lovers, a good APoD. :')
|
Lenticular clouds are a trip.
NEVER fly into a lenticular cloud!
They are very violent.
I like that. That is some candlepower with those spots to make that cloud light up like that.
A few weeks ago I saw one over the top of a cumulus cloud.
That is pretty weird.
They are usually around mountains.
Years ago, I flew a twin engine over a sheer cliff face in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. Our speed over the ground went from 130mph to 30mph as we popped up over the mountains flying west. I had a full rudder when I turned in a crosswind to land at Cascade MT, so I could watch my boy play 8-man football against the Cascade Cowboy’s.
Yow!
I’ve had APOD as my home page for years.
This picture lit up my day when I sat down for my breakfast...just beautiful.
Here are some great satellite pics of the earth posted from the space station every day.
https://twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield/media/grid
Very cool!
I’d never seen one which was why it caught my attention.
Living in eastern WA near the stateline with Oregon we have the opportunity to see these on an almost daily basis when the prevailing westerlies are strong. Our own little Rattlesnake Mtn. (3,500 feet) is also a prolific creator of lenticular clouds. As expected the little wave clouds are much closer to Rattlesnake than the big ones to the Cascades (difference in wavelength). At times you can see successive, smaller clouds at each wave crest farther from the mountains.
I like Cmdr. Hadfield. Seems like a nice guy.
Cool!
Oregon ping
No way!
Those are spectacular.
Wow! That is a gorgeous painting.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.