Bad Astronomy

Huge lenticular cloud near Mt. Fuji

Astronomers love clouds. Well, actually a lot of us hate clouds, but a lot of us are fascinated by meteorology, and clouds in particular. I love ‘em all, from cumulonimbus to mammatus. But there’s something about the bizarre lenticular clouds – lens-shaped beasties that form downwind from mountains.

So how could I not love this video of a gigantic lenticular that formed near Mt. Fuji in Japan?

Yegads. I have a decent understanding of these, but even I would’ve soiled myself if I had seen this one. I love the layering in it, and how perfectly shaped it is. I’ve seen a few like it (see Related Posts below) but never one as nice as this.

Now that summer has hit once again - with a vengeance here in Boulder - I’m hoping to see more. If I do I’ll be sure to snap some pix and post ‘em.

Tip o’ the brolly to BABloggee Cristiana Senni.

Related Posts:

- Lenticular clouds over the Boulder foothills
- Windswept clouds over Boulder
- The odds of successfully surviving an attack on an Imperial Star Destroyer are approximately…
- Time lapse: Epic Skies