On the above date and time near Comrie, Perthshire, my sister and I saw what seemed to be a particularly bright cloud in the sky, like when the sun is behind a cloud, however it wasn't that because the sun was behind us as we were looking at it. Fortunately, my sister took a photo with her phone and the result is amazing - the best way to describe it is it looks just like a sundog except that sundogs only appear near the sun, this thing we saw was almost but not quite opposite it. I can only think that it is obviously the sun reflecting off an object, but what? I don't think a plane, as no noise and also it is round, not oblong like a plane would be and it's too big and low to be a commercial plane (without us hearing it!). Any ideas??! Go to http://monkeyface.magix.net/ to see it.
2007-02-22 03:31:54 · 9 answers · asked by Just_wondering 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I'm not excited like it's a ufo or summat by the way, although I am open-minded about such things. I am hoping someone can tell me is it some kind of weather/cloud formation or is it something plantary, ie could the moon have been in the right position at that time? I here Venus is visible just now but how visible? I thought it was just as a star at night you could see it.... who knows...
2007-02-22 03:44:38 · update #1
Good suggestion Eugene N, but the sun was more or less directly behind us as we took the photo, hence it must be an image of the sun reflecting off something....
2007-02-22 03:46:23 · update #2
Nice picture; It is the Sun reflecting of a cloud. I'll explain.
Clouds are formed by the condensation of evaporated water from our lakes streams etc. As the water gathers the clouds get whiter until there is so much water, it turns Black (Black Clouds).
This picture shows a cloud that is just forming, which is why it is so transparent and clear.
The sun was almost directly behind you.
Picture that you have a jug of water and you shine a light on it. The water reflects the light, but the strength of reflection is weaker than the actual beam of light.
That is what is happening here.
2007-02-22 03:52:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Normally, I would suggest it was Venus.
But, if you are SURE that the Sun was behind you when you took the photo it can't be that.
It could have been a plane a long way away, though, on a course going away or toward you. Sometimes you don't hear them.
By the way, what's a sundog?
2007-02-22 03:51:22 · answer #2 · answered by efes_haze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a really neat picture. However, this is a common phenomena, and not a UFO or anything like that. The sun is simply reflecting off of that deck of clouds, creating an optical illusion. The cloud deck is dense enough to reflect the sun's rays, like the sun reflecting off of water.
2007-02-22 04:04:51 · answer #3 · answered by Tikimaskedman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure could be a reflection off something as you say but could be an unidentified flying object also!
Will take a look at your link and get back to you.
It doesn't look particularly unusual the object doesn't appear to be moving. Why not phone your local met office and ask if object can be identified.
Search Perthshire Met Office
http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=Perthshire+Met+office&src=IE-Address
2007-02-22 03:41:27 · answer #4 · answered by Jewel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Looks like a focused image of the sun due to ice crystal lensing. I've seen it a few times especially at very northern latitudes.
2007-02-22 03:44:04 · answer #5 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting. Sounds like a UFO to me but I wasn't there. forward the info to Matt Drudge at the drudgereport.com . There is a link to his email. He loves these stories and will post it on his website..possibly.
2007-02-22 03:39:54 · answer #6 · answered by casey_leftwich 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that is weird, you should tell the news, get your picture n the news, its interesting
2007-02-22 03:36:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its is just your imagination.
2007-02-22 03:39:58 · answer #8 · answered by b c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
might be ball lightning
2007-02-22 04:02:24 · answer #9 · answered by Definately Maybe 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋