Don't panic! UFO-shaped clouds sweep across sky in Chile

• Stunning pictures capture rare saucer-shaped cloud formations that could be mistaken for an alien invasion
• Clouds spotted above a mountain range in a national park in Chile

At first glance these images could be mistaken for an imminent alien invasion, but the mysterious 'UFOs' seen floating over a mountain range are in fact clouds.

The rare formations - known as lenticular clouds - have been mistaken for UFOs thanks to their smooth, flying saucer-like shape and orange glow.

The clouds, which form in areas of high altitude, often baffle onlookers and have sparked fears of alien attacks.

Eerie: The rare cloud formations are often mistaken for UFOs because of their saucer-like shape and orange glow

Despite their sinister appearance, the cloud formations are a natural weather phenomenon created when moist air flows over a mountain or mountain range.

If the temperature in the air drops, the moisture condenses forming a spiral-shaped lenticular cloud.

These stunning pictures were captured in Chile by Russian amateur photographer Dmitry Dubikovskiy while he was travelling with friends.

The 47-year-old was 'euphoric' when he spotted the rare cloud formations in the skies over Torres Del Paine National Park.

'It was a really stunning view,' he said.

'Lenticular clouds always look unusual and against teh light of a sunset they look even more magnificent.

'Whenever I go out for dinner with my friends, they all want to see the pictures and talk about how unique they are.

'I've only seen this sort of phenomenon a few times in my life but each time I see it I think it's amazing,' the photographer added.

'The feeling when I saw the clouds in Chile was similar to euphoria.

'Despite having to be out in the freezing and gusty wind conditions for a few hours to capture these pictures, it was completely worth it when I saw the finished work,' Mr Dubikovskiy said.

Space invasion: The cloud formations were snapped in the skies over Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park

Spectacular: Amateur photographer Dmitry Dubikovskiy spotted the unusual cloud formations while travelling with friends in Chile