NASA satellite inspects strange cloud that always forms in the same place

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NASA satellite inspects strange cloud that always forms in the same place

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A NASA observation satellite has photographed a strangely shaped cloud hovering over the Strath-Taieri region in southeastern New Zealand.

A satellite picture shared by the space agency and taken on September 7 shows an unusual, elongated cloud nestled along a rocky mountain range. This strange cloud formation often occurs in the same location, leading locals to nickname it “the pet Taieri.”

While this sounds like alien science fiction, there is a completely reasonable explanation: According to NASA, this particular cloud is an altocumulus standing lenticular cloud (ASLC), which is created when winds encounter a steep barrier such than a mountain range. The winds are swept away, creating a standing wave while the air at the top of the wave cools enough to form water vapor that condenses into clouds.

“When the cloud forms on the crest of this wave, it remains almost stationary in the sky and is shaped by the strong winds passing through it,” New Zealand MetService meteorologist John Law said in a statement. NASA statement.

Clouds that blow

Other ASLC clouds can take on even more unusual shapes, appearing as a pile of clouds. stacked disk shapes or narrow bowls that rise high into the sky.

Even the Pet Cuts, seen from the sideappears as layers of stacked clouds that reach hundreds of feet into the air, giving it an even more UFO-like appearance.

“What is unique about these clouds is that they are very dynamic, and while each parcel of air undergoes this cycle of cooling, condensation, warming and evaporation, visually the cloud appears motionless,” explained weather observer Karl Philippoff in a blog post for the Mount Washington Observatory.

With its extremely sharp edges, the Taieri Pet is actually the result of extremely strong environmental forces.

“The appearance of the Taieri Pet is a great indicator of strong winds in the atmosphere,” Law explained.

Unsurprisingly, flying close to the cloud can be dangerous and cause severe turbulence, according to NASA.

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