Balloon Ducted Mock-Mirage Sunset

Last updated on September 16, 2023

Balloon Ducted Mock-Mirage Sunset: A Breathtaking Atmospheric Phenomenon

Have you ever witnessed a sunset that left you in awe? Julie Deth-Rhoden Hutto had a similar experience on June 28, 2006, while photographing the sunset from the Kona Coast of Hawaii. Hoping to capture a green flash, she was instead greeted by an extraordinary sight. As the sun began to descend towards the ocean, a peculiar sequence unfolded before her eyes. The light appeared to "touch" the ocean and slowly worked its way up to the sun, resembling a luminous string. This unique atmospheric phenomenon, known as a "Balloon Ducted Mock-Mirage Sunset," captivated Julie and piqued the interest of atmospheric optics experts worldwide.

The initial analysis of Julie's photographs reveals evidence of atmospheric layering, with the base of the sunset exhibiting a weak resemblance to the Etruscan vase or "Omega" shape. However, this alone fails to explain the pronounced asymmetry observed in frames 1-3 and later in 6-8. Curiously shaped clouds can be ruled out as a cause, as they would have been either visible or backlit in the early frames. In search of an explanation, several theories have been proposed by experts in atmospheric optics.

One suggestion put forth by Andrew Young is that a weak convective vortex, such as a waterspout or funnel cloud, could have produced the necessary atmospheric refraction. However, this explanation is deemed unlikely due to the duration and altitude of the event. Another possibility raised by Craig Bohren is that atmospheric waves within the inversion layers might be responsible for the phenomenon. These waves could induce bending of light, resulting in the peculiar sequence observed by Julie.

Harald Edens offers yet another intriguing hypothesis. He suggests that hot gases rising from the smokestack of a distant ship could have caused the same refraction effect as an ocean vortex. Considering that Kailua-Kona is a major cruise ship stop on the Big Island, Julie's discovery gains further context. On the day in question, the "Pride of America" cruise ship had dropped anchor in the bay, but by the time Julie set out for her sunset photography, it had vanished from sight, presumably en route to its next port of call. Could it have been positioned over the horizon, aligned with the line of sight to the sun? While this explanation holds merit, it is essential to acknowledge that alternative possibilities may exist.

The balloon-ducted mock-mirage sunset witnessed by Julie Deth-Rhoden Hutto offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate workings of atmospheric optics. It serves as a reminder that nature continues to surprise us with its ability to create mesmerizing visual phenomena. As we delve deeper into understanding these phenomena, we gain valuable insights into the behavior of light in our atmosphere.

In conclusion, while the exact cause of the balloon-ducted mock-mirage sunset remains elusive, it is clear that a combination of atmospheric factors is at play. The layers of the atmosphere, convective vortices, atmospheric waves, and even distant ships all contribute to the intricate dance of light that Julie witnessed on that memorable day in Hawaii. As we continue to explore and unravel the mysteries of atmospheric optics, we are reminded of the profound beauty and complexity that surrounds us.

On June 28, 2006 Julie Deth-Rhoden Hutto was photographing the sunset from the Kona Coast of Hawaii with the hope of capturing a green flash, instead she saw this very odd sequence. "I was surprised to see the sun 'touch' the ocean in a unique fashion: the light started at the ocean and worked its way up to the sun, like a bright string. I've seen some great solar illusions, but this one was pretty cool and very different."

Image ©2006 Julie Hutto, shown with permission.

There is some evidence of atmospheric layering and the base of the sunset is weakly of the Etruscan vase or "Omega" type but that does not explain the obvious asymmetry in frames 1-3 and later in 6-8. Odd shaped clouds can be ruled out because they would be visible or backlit in the early frames. Several explanations have been proposed by atmospheric optics experts. Andrew Young (site) has suggested that a weak convective vortex, a waterspout or funnel cloud, not strong enough to produce condensation and thus become visible could produce the necessary atmospheric refraction. He mentions also that vortices from aircraft have also produced distortions but says the duration and altitude of this event makes that explanation unlikely. Craig Bohren raises the possibility that atmospheric waves in the inversion layers might be responsible. Harald Edens (site) suggests that hot gases rising from the smokestack of a distant ship could produce the same refraction effect as an ocean vortex and it would not be such a rare occurrence. Julie says "Kailua-Kona is a major cruise ship stop on the Big Island... .. That day a cruise ship did drop anchor in the bay... I checked back through my image files for that day and found that it was the "Pride of America" cruise ship. By the time I headed out that evening to do some sunset photography, it was nowhere in sight... it had obviously left for it's next port of call." Was it over the horizon but along the line of sight to the sun? And, of course, there might be other explanations...

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