New Zealand's 'Taieri Pet': The recurring UFO cloud mystery
For almost 130 years, a strange cloud has regularly appeared over New Zealand, which may resemble an unidentified flying object (UFO) in appearance. It is unusual not only because of its looks but also because the cloud consistently forms in the same place, intriguing residents. Surprisingly, the explanation for this mystery is quite simple.
Taieri Pet is the name New Zealanders give to the distinctive cloud over the Strath Taieri region. The word "Pet" in the phenomenon's name is derived from the English word "pet." Residents of Strath Taieri have become so accustomed to the cloud's presence that they treat it as their own "pet."
According to IFL Science, the strange cloud is straightforward to explain. Taieri Pet is an altocumulus lenticularis, or lenticular cloud. It is a relatively rare occurrence (also found in Poland) that forms at altitudes above 6,100 metres.
Lenticular cloud over New Zealand
Altocumulus lenticularis clouds form due to the condensation of water vapour in areas where two conditions must be met: high pressure and low temperature. The commonly used name "lenticular cloud" is due to its lens-like appearance. Because of their shape, they are often referred to as "UFO clouds."
Lenticular clouds, including Taieri Pet, form when solar rays heat air masses. This heating makes the air lighter, lifting it upward and increasing humidity. At higher altitudes, the air cools, and the pressure decreases, leading to the condensation of water vapour, which is the final step in forming altocumulus lenticularis clouds.
The cloud over New Zealand and the mountain barrier
John Law, a meteorologist from New Zealand, quoted by IFL Science, explains that Taieri Pet is a common sight in New Zealand. It forms regularly because it encounters a topographical barrier in the form of the Rock and Pillar Range in Otago. The range runs perpendicular to strong northwestern winds, blocking the airflow and causing the wind to move upward. This is where all the phenomena needed to form lenticular clouds occur.
Additionally, strong winds shape the fluffy cloud, giving it its characteristic smooth appearance, which remains remarkably similar each time it appears.
