Orange Lenticular Cloud over Snow-capped Mountain Peaks at Sunset, Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
© Ignacio Palacios/Stone/Getty Images
Set those phasers back to stun, space cadets—false alarm. Turns out this 'mothership' caught on camera over southern Chile is just a very large lenticular cloud. Often said to look like alien spacecraft, these strangely shaped clouds may have contributed to early reports of UFO sightings. They form as directional winds hit obstacles like mountains or tall buildings, forcing air upward until it cools and its moisture condenses, then sinks back down to its previous level and evaporates. This cycle continues throughout the (usually quite short) life of the cloud, so while lenticulars appear stationary, they're actually in constant flux.
沐浴在晚霞中的海岸
鸟儿遇见海滩
三重峰
照亮迷雾
这难道是天外来客的座椅？
大海、沙滩和日落
科技之都的黄昏
荒地上的美好时光
