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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: 2025 December 8 B Flying Over the Earth at Night
- APOD: 2025 September 7 B All the Water on Planet Earth
- APOD: 2025 August 17 B Asperitas Clouds Over New Zealand
- APOD: 2025 June 15 B Two Worlds One Sun
- Nacreous Clouds over Sweden
- APOD: 2024 December 29 B Methane Bubbles Frozen in Lake Baikal
- Interplanetary Earth