A saucer-shaped cloud above a mountain in a blue sky
Observers in Hawaii have captured stunning images of UFO-like lenticular clouds hovering near the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.
The photos were taken on March 8 from the vantage point of the W. M. Keck Observatory, situated near the summit of the dormant volcano Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The images depict lenticular clouds, which are typically formed downwind of a hill or mountain as strong winds blow over and around rugged terrain.
"We spotted some UFOs today! Or rather, their doppelgangers. Check out these stunning photos several Keckies took of flying saucer-shaped lenticular clouds hovering near Maunakea and Mauna Loa. Did you see them too?" the observatory tweeted on March 8.
Lenticular clouds—scientifically known as altocumulus standing lenticularis—generally form in the troposphere, the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, parallel to the wind direction, which gives them their otherworldly appearance.
An oval cloud in a blue sky above a lush green island
These clouds are fairly common over the western half of the mainland due to the Rockies but relatively rare in Hawaii, according to the National Weather Service.
A spiral-shaped cloud is lit in bright red and gold at sunset above a mountain
These strange-looking clouds are sometimes mistaken for UFOs due to their smooth saucer-like shape. They formed near Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, which reach above 13,000 feet (3,960 meters) in elevation, because strong winds are forced to flow over and around the peaks of the volcanoes. This, in turn, creates waves in the atmosphere just downwind of both of the summits.
A large saucer-shaped cloud above a wooded road
The photos were taken by employees at the observatory, including Rick Krehbiel, software engineer; Sherry Yeh, staff astronomer; Avinash Surendran, postdoctoral fellow; and Ariana Rostopchina, observing assistant.
