A photograph taken over Canmore, Alberta, on August 2 has sparked debate online, with some users claiming it depicts a 'cloaked UFO' hiding within a cloud. The image, shared on Facebook, shows a glowing, saucer-shaped formation suspended above the landscape.
UFO researcher Scott C. Waring suggested the central, dark oval in the formation is a classic disk-shaped alien craft concealed within the cloud. Waring stated that by increasing the photograph's contrast, the object becomes more visible. He further alleged that alien craft use clouds to hide themselves while flying closer to the ground and to scan the thoughts of people below, a tactic he claims has been used by extraterrestrials for millions of years.
The image shows a bright formation stretching horizontally across the sky, with a lighter area illuminated by what appears to be the sun shining through thinner cloud. The smooth edges and oval shape have led to comparisons with traditional flying saucers. Some social media users interpreted the image as evidence of extraterrestrial visitors, while others questioned its authenticity in the age of AI-generated imagery. Some also suggested it resembled natural cloud formations or even the Eye of Sauron from 'The Lord of the Rings.'
Others praised the photograph as a remarkable cloud formation. The image file lacks original camera metadata, making it difficult to confirm when, where, or with what device it was captured. A visual examination did not reveal common hallmarks of AI-generated images, such as malformed objects or inconsistent lighting. However, the file appears to have undergone processing, which prevents conclusive authentication of its original state.
Experts suggest the shape could be a naturally occurring lenticular cloud, which often forms lens-like structures over mountains and can be mistaken for flying saucers. The dark central area might be another cloud layer, a shadow, or an opening illuminated by the sun. While increasing contrast can enhance visual differences, it does not definitively prove the presence of a solid object. Currently, the formation remains an unexplained shape within a cloud, rather than confirmed evidence of an alien spacecraft.