From what I can see in the photo, it looks like a night sky scene where a bright light or glow is partially obscured by clouds, with tree silhouettes below. The bright area looks like it could be:
Most likely explanations
✅ The Moon behind thin clouds
- A partially visible crescent or bright shape shining through cloud cover can look very dramatic, especially when long‑exposure smartphone settings pick up extra light.
- The glow around it could be moonlight illuminating the nearby clouds, creating that halo or eerie effect.
✅ Light reflection from atmospheric conditions
- When there’s moisture, fog, or ice crystals in the air, light (especially from the moon or even distant ground lights) can scatter and create unusual glowing patches.
- This often produces halos, bright spots, or what looks like a “portal” in the sky.
Less likely — but still possible
🔹 Astronomical object + clouds
A bright planet (like Venus) or even a satellite flare can show up, but they’re usually just points of light — not glowing clouds.
🔹 Man‑made light source reflected on clouds
Some industrial lights, stadium lights, or floodlights pointed upward can illuminate clouds from below. But since this was taken 13 miles from home and looks elevated, the moon explanation fits best.
Why it looks unusual
- Clouds can distort and “frame” the moon in ways that make it look like a glowing swirl or portal.
- Phones often capture more light than the eye sees at night, enhancing the glow.
If you want to check
You could compare the time the photo was taken with:
- Moonrise / moon phase for your location
- Weather conditions (cloud cover / humidity)
Would you happen to know the time of night when the photo was taken? That would help confirm whether it’s the moon or something else.