On December 26, 2024, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) captured a remarkable photograph showcasing a towering cloud formation against the backdrop of the Arabian Peninsula. The image was taken as the ISS orbited over South Asia.
The photograph highlights the western coastline of the Persian Gulf, featuring countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. Notable landmarks, including Doha and Ras Laffan in Qatar, as well as Al-Hufuf and the lush oasis of Al-Hasa in Saudi Arabia, are visible along the coast, their urban and natural textures contrasting sharply with the cloud formation.
NASA released the image as an exemplary representation of cloud formation, according to experts. The cumulus cloud prominently rises in the photograph, casting a dark shadow on the landscape below. Experts describe cumulus clouds as having various shapes and sizes, often referred to as classic fluffy white clouds.
“When viewed from above, sunlit cumulus clouds appear more dazzling than other types of clouds. The upper parts, with sharply defined and heavily shaded protrusions and domes, resemble large cauliflowers, enormous smokestacks, or towers. Their peaks, which can reach varying altitudes, sometimes protrude from a layer of fog,” states the International Cloud Atlas.
Such cloud towers form when warm, moist air rises rapidly in unstable atmospheric conditions. The presence of smaller cumulus clouds at the base indicates the early stages of potential development into cumulonimbus clouds, which can lead to heavy rainfall or thunderstorms.
Sunlight emerges over the waters of the Persian Gulf in the lower right corner of the image, enhancing its visual appeal. This optical phenomenon occurs when sunlight reflects directly to the observer, revealing shimmering patterns and textures on the surface of the Persian Gulf, scientists note.
Experts highlight that the horizon at the top of the image separates Earth's atmosphere from the boundless darkness of space, emphasizing the unique position of the ISS, which was approximately 410 kilometers above Earth at that moment.