Decoding the Enigma: Unraveling the Secrets of UFO-Shaped Cloud Holes
Clouds are a significant part of the Earth’s ecosystem, yet they often go unnoticed and unappreciated. However, there is one cloud formation that manages to capture our attention – the giant circular and elliptical holes that appear in the sky without any explanation. Many have speculated if these mysterious cloud holes are created by UFOs or other extraterrestrial phenomena, but a team of scientists from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) have debunked these theories and revealed the true cause behind these intriguing formations.
For years, scientists have been studying these cloud holes, theorizing about their formation since as early as 1940. However, it wasn’t until recently that a clear explanation emerged. In 2010 and 2011, two scientists from UCAR proposed that these holes were caused by airplanes flying through altocumulus clouds. Contrary to the fantastical idea of UFOs creating these formations, the process is entirely humanistic and follows a linear pattern.
Altocumulus clouds are composed of supercooled water droplets that do not freeze at the typical freezing point of water. NASA’s Earth Observatory explains that supercooling occurs when water droplets lack small particles around which ice crystals usually form. This phenomenon is relatively common in the atmosphere. When airplanes fly through these altocumulus clouds, their wings and propellers disperse air, causing the droplets to freeze by an additional 20 degrees Celsius or more. Once the process is complete, the result is a sky filled with cloud holes, also known as cavum clouds.
To understand how these cloud holes are formed, UCAR consulted with various institutions to analyze flight data, satellite observations, and weather models. Through their research, scientists identified the precise angles at which planes need to pass through the clouds to create circular cavum clouds or canal clouds, depending on the angle. Factors such as thickness, temperature, and wind shear also influence the length of these cloud holes. It is not a specific type of plane that creates these structures; rather, any airplane has the potential to form these enigmatic holes in the sky.
This revelation from UCAR and NASA has put an end to the UFO myth surrounding these cloud holes. The truth is far less extraordinary but no less fascinating. The next time you spot a UFO-shaped cloud hole in the sky, take a moment to appreciate the scientific explanation behind its formation. Clouds may be often overlooked, but they are an essential part of our planet’s ecosystem and deserve recognition for their role in creating habitable conditions on Earth.
