Clouds Over Patagonia: A NASA Astronaut's Lucky Shot
In a stunning image captured on December 27, 2025, by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station, a school of fish-shaped clouds hung suspended over Lago Argentino in Patagonia. The photograph has sparked interest among NASA scientists and researchers, who are trying to determine the type and origin of these unusual clouds.
The lens shape reminds Maria Hakuba, a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, of lenticular clouds, which typically form near or over mountains. However, the edges of this cloud appear smooth rather than fuzzy, suggesting that it may be an ice cloud relatively high up in the atmosphere.
Lenticular clouds are known to form when prevailing winds are forced up and over a topographic barrier, such as a mountain range, and then condense into cloud droplets. The unique shape of these clouds can be influenced by factors like wind shear and turbulence, which stretch and organize them horizontally above the landscape.
Atmospheric scientists Hazem Mahmoud and Santiago Gassó agree that the clouds in question are likely lenticular, with sublimation of glacial ice contributing to their formation. However, without analyzing more data, it's difficult to say for certain whether they're lenticular or a different type of cumulus.
One thing is clear, though: these clouds are a rare and remarkable sight in Patagonia, where strong surface-level winds can sweep across glacial lakes like Los Glaciares National Park. The interaction between the lake's moisture source, the Andes' dynamic topography, and atmospheric circulation has created an intriguing phenomenon that's captured the attention of scientists and the public alike.
NASA's ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit at NASA Johnson Space Center have made the photograph freely available on the Internet, allowing us to marvel at these incredible clouds in all their glory.
In a stunning image captured on December 27, 2025, by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station, a school of fish-shaped clouds hung suspended over Lago Argentino in Patagonia. The photograph has sparked interest among NASA scientists and researchers, who are trying to determine the type and origin of these unusual clouds.
The lens shape reminds Maria Hakuba, a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, of lenticular clouds, which typically form near or over mountains. However, the edges of this cloud appear smooth rather than fuzzy, suggesting that it may be an ice cloud relatively high up in the atmosphere.
Lenticular clouds are known to form when prevailing winds are forced up and over a topographic barrier, such as a mountain range, and then condense into cloud droplets. The unique shape of these clouds can be influenced by factors like wind shear and turbulence, which stretch and organize them horizontally above the landscape.
Atmospheric scientists Hazem Mahmoud and Santiago Gassó agree that the clouds in question are likely lenticular, with sublimation of glacial ice contributing to their formation. However, without analyzing more data, it's difficult to say for certain whether they're lenticular or a different type of cumulus.
One thing is clear, though: these clouds are a rare and remarkable sight in Patagonia, where strong surface-level winds can sweep across glacial lakes like Los Glaciares National Park. The interaction between the lake's moisture source, the Andes' dynamic topography, and atmospheric circulation has created an intriguing phenomenon that's captured the attention of scientists and the public alike.
NASA's ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit at NASA Johnson Space Center have made the photograph freely available on the Internet, allowing us to marvel at these incredible clouds in all their glory.
I mean can you even imagine being up there in space looking down at that and just like whoa 
I love how scientists are trying to figure out what's going on with those clouds, it's like a big puzzle to solve 
and Patagonia is already such an amazing place, it's crazy to think about these weird clouds showing up there 
. Like, what's up with that? Is it just me or does it seem weird that NASA is spending so much time on this? I mean, I get it, it's cool and all, but can't we focus on, like, curing diseases or something instead of gawking at clouds? 
I've seen pics of them before but never thought I'd see something like that in real life. And the fact that scientists are stumped trying to figure out what they are is just wild 
At least now we get to enjoy the pics and speculate about it till someone cracks the code 
and I'm loving how NASA is sharing all the deets on this one. But what's really wild is how they're still trying to figure out if it's actually lenticular or not... 
i mean i know its not a hoax cuz nasa would never post something fake right? 
anyway i need to see this pic in person ASAP gonna have to plan a trip to patagonia like stat! 
But honestly, can we just appreciate the awesomeness of it all? It's a reminder that there's still so much to explore and discover out there in our amazing universe 
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it's like something out of a sci-fi movie! I mean, can you imagine being up in space and witnessing something so rare and beautiful? And the fact that scientists are stumped about what type of cloud they are is just amazing...like, there's still so much we don't know about our atmosphere 
. The way those winds and glacial lakes interact to create something so unique and breathtaking...I need to visit there ASAP 
it's gotta be those astronauts on the ISS who have access to some serious vantage point. i'm loving the scientific breakdown too - lenticular clouds are cool and all, but these ones seem almost...otherworldly.