God's Footprint
by Mitch Shindelbower
Title
God's Footprint
Artist
Mitch Shindelbower
Medium
Photograph
Description
Lenticular clouds (Altocumulus lenticularis) are stationary lens-shaped clouds that form in the troposphere, normally in perpendicular alignment to the wind direction. Lenticular clouds can be separated into altocumulus standing lenticularis (ACSL), stratocumulus standing lenticular (SCSL), and cirrocumulus standing lenticular (CCSL). Because of their shape, they have been offered as an explanation for some unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings.As air flows along the surface of the Earth, it encounters obstructions. These are human-made objects, such as buildings and bridges, and natural features, like hills, valleys, and mountains. All of them disrupt the flow of air into eddies. The strength of the eddies depends on the size of the object and the speed of the wind. It results in turbulence classified as ‘mechanical’ because it is formed through the “mechanical disruption of the ambient wind flow”. Where stable moist air flows over a mountain or a range of mountains, a series of large-scale standing waves may form on the downwind side. If the temperature at the crest of the wave drops to the dew point, moisture in the air may condense to form lenticular clouds. As the moist air moves back down into the trough of the wave, the cloud may evaporate back into vapour. Under certain conditions, long strings of lenticular clouds can form near the crest of each successive wave, creating a formation known as a "wave cloud." The wave systems cause large vertical air movement, enough that water vapour may condense to produce precipitation. The clouds have been mistaken for UFOs (or "visual cover" for UFOs), particularly the round "flying saucer"-type, because these clouds have a characteristic lens appearance and smooth saucer-like shape; also, because lenticular clouds generally do not form over low-lying or flat terrain, many people have never seen one and are not aware clouds with that shape can exist. Bright colours (called irisation) are sometimes seen along the edge of lenticular clouds.[1] These clouds have also been known to form in cases where a mountain does not exist, but rather as the result of shear winds created by a front.Lenticular cloud formations over South Lake Tahoe California..
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June 22nd, 2016
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Comments (37)
Phyllis Kaltenbach
Stunning, Mitch! I love these clouds but have, yet, to get an image and beautiful as this! I love your description of them! V/F
Brian Tada
Mitch, this is absolutely spectacular! What an amazing portrait of lenticular clouds, one of the very best I've seen. The colors and textures alone are incredible. Awesome composition with the mountain scenery below. Paired with the perfect title. Outstanding work! F/L
Linda Howes
Wow Mitch, you have been doing some great work, I couldn't decide which one to look at! So awesome! l/f
Elizabeth Tillar
Mitch, what a gorgeous image! The colors are spectacular as is the capture, and your description is so informative! l/f/g+
Mary Chris Hines
Wow, it's so fabulous to catch a lenticular cloud formation! Good job, Mitch! Gorgeous colors too! l/f