A Lenticular Cloud Over New Zealand by NASA | astromy of the day
This lens-shaped formation is the result of strong wind blown over mountains which causes standing waves and vapor condenses by being below due point at the crest of the waves. When cloud forms, it interrupts the next wind and causes vertical oscillations, hence layers are composed. The Lenticular Clouds which are accumulations of these phenomena are know to foreshadow bad weather.
The strong brightness contrast brought by layers gives an impression for the cloud being stiff and solid as stratus of the earth optically. The cloud like this reveals that reactive formation reflects forces of motions in the same manner as landscape is formed through hydraulic forces. However, forms of clouds, which are composed by less dense air, are evanescent and convince us their forms.
Via. NASA, National Geographic
06/14/2009
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07/06/2009
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