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Credit & Copyright: Sean R. Heavey
Explanation:
Is that a spaceship or a cloud?
Although it may seem like an
alien mothership,
it's actually a impressive thunderstorm cloud called a
supercell.
Such colossal storm systems center on
mesocyclones --
rotating updrafts that can span several kilometers and deliver
torrential rain and high winds including
tornadoes.
Jagged sculptured clouds adorn the supercell's
edge, while wind swept dust and rain
dominate the center.
A tree waits
patiently in the foreground.
The above supercell cloud
was photographed in July west of
Glasgow,
Montana,
USA, caused minor damage, and lasted several hours before moving on.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Earth - thunderstorm - clouds
Publications with words: Earth - thunderstorm - clouds
See also:
- APOD: 2024 December 29 Á Methane Bubbles Frozen in Lake Baikal
- Interplanetary Earth
- Earthset from Orion
- APOD: 2024 November 19 Á Undulatus Clouds over Las Campanas Observatory
- APOD: 2024 July 7 Á Iridescent Clouds over Sweden
- Manicouagan Impact Crater from Space
- APOD: 2023 August 20 Á A Roll Cloud Over Wisconsin