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People in Bursa, Turkey, were in for a surprise this morning, when a bizarre pink cloud materalised in the skies.
The circular cloud appeared at sunrise, and featured a large hole in the middle.
This type of formation is known as a ‘lenticular cloud’ – a cloud that forms when the air is stable and winds blow across hills and mountains from the same or similar direction at different heights through the troposphere.
However, users have been quick to point out its resemblance to other objects, including flying saucers and even female genitalia.
The cloud was photographed over the Gokmen Aerospace Training Center (GUHEM) in Bursa in the early hours of this morning
This type of formation is known as a ‘lenticular cloud’ – a cloud that forms when the air is stable and winds blow across hills and mountains from the same or similar direction at different heights through the troposphere
The cloud was photographed over the Gokmen Aerospace Training Center (GUHEM) in Bursa in the early hours of this morning.
Lenticular clouds get their name from the Latin ‘Altocumulus lenticularis’, which translates to ‘like a lens’.
They are known for their curved, flying saucer-like appearance, and are usually found at heights of around 6,400 – 16,500ft.
‘These strange, unnatural looking clouds sometimes form downwind of hills or mountains,’ the Met Office explains.
‘They look a lot like the traditional shape of flying saucers in science fiction, and real lenticular clouds are believed to be one of the most common explanations for UFO sightings across the world.’
Lenticular clouds are a visible sign of mountain waves in the air, according to the Met Office.
‘When air blows across a mountain range, in certain circumstances, it can set up a train of large standing waves in the air downstream, rather like ripples forming in a river when water flows over an obstruction,’ it added.
Lenticular clouds get their name from the Latin ‘Altocumulus lenticularis’, which translates to ‘like a lens’. They are known for their curved, flying saucer-like appearance, and are usually found at heights of around 6,400 – 16,500ft
Several surprised viewers took to Twitter this morning to discuss the strange clouds. One user tweeted: ‘giant yoni cloud seen in Turkey’
‘If there is enough moisture in the air, the rising motion of the wave will cause water vapour to condense, forming the unique appearance of lenticular clouds.’
Several surprised viewers took to Twitter this morning to discuss the strange clouds.
One user tweeted: ‘giant yoni cloud seen in Turkey.’
A yoni is a stylised representation of the female genitalia that in Hinduism is a sign of generative power and that symbolizes the goddess Shakti, according to Merriam-Webster.
Another added: ‘It’s very interesting, just like in the Alien movies.’
San Francisco Bay Area resident Rain Hayes caught the moment rare noctilucent clouds go over Lake Merritt in Oakland on Friday, December 16
And one joked: ‘In Turkey a UFO hiding in a cloud was sighted.’
This isn’t the first time in recent weeks that people have been left baffled by unusual clouds.
Last month, noctilucent clouds — the world’s rarest clouds — appeared over the San Francisco Bay area, just a few days after a SpaceX rocket launch.
Rain Hayes, a local photographer, saw the clouds sailing over Lake Merritt in Oakland two days ago at around 6.30 a.m. before sharing images of the rare sighting later on social media.
‘Strange bright cloud over Lake Meritt during the tail end of astronomical twilight this morning,’ she wrote, while also notifying the National Weather Service’s regional office.