Image Credit & Copyright: Ben CanalesExplanation: 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.
