The image of a thin, “extraordinary” cloud illuminated by the full moon in March — commonly referred to as the “Worm Moon” — is attracting attention on social media.
The mysterious cloud over the sky of Oxfordshire on the night of March 7. (Photo: BBC/Debra Newman).
The long cloud, resembling a hovering worm, appeared in the sky above Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, on the evening of March 7 (local time), according to the BBC.
After the unique image went viral on Facebook, many users compared this “strange” cloud to an alien invasion, a deep pit, or the result of experiments at the Harwell science research facility.
Meanwhile, meteorologist Jim Dale from the UK Met Office stated that the phenomenon could be attributed to combustion.
He explained that water vapor from artificial sources, such as rockets, quickly crystallizes in cold weather and hangs in the air.
The expert stated that the phenomenon on March 7 was unlike natural cloud formation. (Photo: BBC/Debra Newman).
Mr. Dale added that this occurrence was unlike any natural cloud formation he had ever seen, though he acknowledged: “Nature sometimes has a very amusing way of expressing itself, creating both wonders and oddities.”
“I don’t think there are any rocket launch pads in Abingdon. It could be a small vortex that looks a bit odd, or a rocket. It is still hovering in the air, quite literally,” he added.
Cassandra Russell, who captured the photo of the cloud from Southmoor, described it as resembling “the vapor trail of an airplane,” starting out as a “thin line on the moon” and gradually expanding.
Meanwhile, Debra Newman reported that upon discovering this phenomenon, her children in Abingdon were convinced that aliens were landing.
The “Worm Moon” peaked on March 7, much to the excitement of sky watchers around the world.
It is called the “Worm Moon” because at this time of year, earthworms begin to emerge from the ground as the soil starts to thaw in the Northern Hemisphere.
The next full moon will occur on April 6 and is referred to as the “Pink Moon,” according to Space.
