Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2022 January 16

A 3-section panorama of a retreating thunderstorm taken from my back deck, with the Canon 5D MkII and 14mm Samyang lens. The storm shows mammatiform clouds and virga from falling rain. The illumination at sunset was perfect. The waxing quarter Moon is at right.

A Retreating Thunderstorm at Sunset

Image Credit & Copyright: Alan Dyer (The Amazing Sky)

Explanation: What type of cloud is that? This retreating cumulonimbus cloud, more commonly called a thundercloud, is somewhat unusual as it contains the unusual bumpiness of a mammatus cloud on the near end, while simultaneously producing falling rain on the far end. Taken in mid-2013 in southern AlbertaCanada, the cloud is moving to the east, into the distance, as the sun sets in the west, behind the camera. In the featured image, graphic sunset colors cross the sky to give the already photogenic cloud striking orange and pink hues. A darkening blue sky covers the background. Further in the distance, a risingwaxinggibbous moon is visible on the far right.