NASA astronaut took a fascinating photo of a giant tower of clouds

An amazing photo taken by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station shows a giant tower of clouds against the backdrop of the Arabian Peninsula. The image was taken while the ISS was orbiting over South Asia.

In particular, the photo shows the western coast of the Persian Gulf – the countries of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. Landmarks such as Doha and Ras Laffan in Qatar, Al Hufūf, and the lush Al Hasa oasis in Saudi Arabia are visible along the coast, their urban and natural textures creating a striking contrast to the cloud formation, Newsweek writes.

The photo published by NASA is a great example of cloud formation in action, experts say.

A cirrus cloud rises sharply in the image, casting a dark shadow over the landscape below. According to experts, cirrus clouds come in a variety of shapes and sizes, often referred to as the classic fluffy white clouds that dot the sky.

"When viewed from above, sunlit cirrus clouds are more dazzling than other types of clouds. The upper parts, with their well-defined and heavily shaded protrusions and domes, are shaped like large cauliflowers, huge chimneys, or towers. Their tops, which can reach very different levels, sometimes protrude from a layer of fog," the International Cloud Atlas website says.

Such cloud towers form when warm, moist air rises rapidly in unstable atmospheric conditions, experts say. The visible presence of smaller cumulonimbus clouds at its base indicates the initial stages of potential cumulonimbus cloud development, which can cause intense precipitation or thunderstorms.

Sunlight appears over the waters of the Persian Gulf in the lower right corner of the image, adding to the visual appeal. This optical phenomenon occurs when sunlight is reflected directly to the observer, revealing shimmering patterns and textures of the Persian Gulf surface, scientists say.

Scientists emphasize that the horizon at the top of the image separates the Earth's atmosphere from the boundless darkness of space, recalling the unique position of the ISS, which at that moment was at an altitude of about 410 kilometers above the Earth.

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