Atmospheric Conditions Mistaken for UFOs Clouds, ice, and blimps can be mistaken for UFOs Good UFO observers need to be aware of atmospheric weather conditions sometimes mistaken for UFOs. Photographic examples 1 and 2 are provided courtesy of George Ritter. Ruben, AAER Photo 1.
Lenticular clouds are smooth and solid in appearance and have been mistakenly photographed for UFOs.
These clouds are formed by swirling, circular winds rounding off edges of clouds giving them a cylindrical appearance. This photograph is a good representation of lenticular clouds. Note how middle cloud seems to have an upper and a lower dome adding to the illusion. Another atmospheric anomaly is the sun dog formed from ice crystals as high as 20,000 feet. If conditions are right, a sun dog will form equidistant to left and right of sun in western sky.