If you've been following my blog for a while, then you know how much I enjoy taking pictures of clouds during my many flights throughout the year. Last weekend was no exception as I flew to Knoxville, Tennessee to work as guest artist and event photographer at Fanboy Expo.

As we descended onto Knoxville, I haphazardly took a few snapshots toward the setting sun outside my plane window. It wasn't until after I reviewed these photos that I noticed a small, odd trail of tiny lights above the top of the sun. What could it be??

See the following photos (click to enlarge):

My thoughts:
-I don't think it can be explained as lens flare; lens flare moves around and changes shape and color (as you see in the photos). This anomaly maintained its shape/position to the sun. Even in the last shot, it was underexposed and the lens flare is gone (due to clouds obscuring the sun). yet the thing is still there in the same position.

-I don't think it's a stray cloud formation because there's no other cloud-like formation in its vicinity. Also, it's brightness intensity seems to match the sun's. If there were clouds that far away, then it wouldn't stick out as much due to atmospheric perspective/haze (lower contrast in distant objects).

-Finally, note in the last photo as the plane begins to descend through the clouds. You can even see part of that anomaly getting obscured by the clouds, thereby further eliminating the possibility that it's a lens flare.

I am stumped...is this a giant solar flare captured in the distant space? Is it some kind of energy-alien craft??? lol If you are astronomically- or meteorolically-inclined, the feel free to chime in. I've tried google to see if I could find any similar photos, but have yet to come across any.

All shot with Olympus OMD-EM5 and Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm/2.8 lens.