Australia's 'Morning Glory' cloud can stretch 1,000 kilometers long, resembling a massive rolling pin in the sky.

The Morning Glory cloud is a rare meteorological phenomenon primarily observed in the Gulf of Carpentaria in Northern Australia. It is a type of 'solitary wave' or 'undular bore' that forms when sea breezes from the east and west coasts of the Cape York Peninsula collide. This collision creates a pressure wave that travels across the gulf, cooling the air at its leading edge and causing moisture to condense into a distinct tubular cloud.These clouds typically form at an altitude of 100 to 200 meters and can reach lengths of 1,000 kilometers while maintaining a height of up to 2 kilometers. The phenomenon is most consistent during the 'Morning Glory season' from late September to early November. Burketown, a remote town in Queensland, is considered the world's premier location for observing and flying within these formations.Research conducted by meteorologists like Dr. Roger Smith from the University of Munich has shown that the clouds are driven by a complex interaction between temperature inversions and sea-breeze fronts. The air at the front of the cloud moves rapidly upward, while the air at the rear sinks, creating a rolling motion. This unique structure allows glider pilots to soar along the leading edge for hundreds of kilometers without using an engine, a practice known as 'cloud surfing.'