6 ringed corona

Last updated on September 16, 2023

The Enchanting Phenomenon of the 6-Ringed Corona

Have you ever gazed at the sky and witnessed a mesmerizing display of light surrounding the moon? This captivating spectacle is known as a corona, a diffraction pattern formed when light interacts with tiny water droplets in the clouds. While most of the scattered light is concentrated in the central aureole, the corona itself encompasses a vast range of brightness. Interestingly, the corona is not limited to a single ring but can manifest in multiple concentric circles, with the outermost ring being incredibly faint. In this article, we will delve into the intriguing details of the 6-ringed corona, exploring its characteristics and the challenges faced in capturing its ethereal beauty.

The Elusive Rings of the Corona

Our eyes, despite their remarkable capabilities, struggle to perceive the full extent of the corona's radiance due to its immense brightness range. Typically, we can discern only two or three rings encircling the moon. Even cameras face similar difficulties, often overexposing the moon and central portions while attempting to capture the delicate outer coronal rings. However, on rare occasions, fortuitous cloud formations allow photographers to preserve the intricate details of the lunar surface while capturing the enchanting outer corona.

Unveiling the 6-Ringed Corona

At the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Science, situated at an elevation of 2,070 meters, astronomers were fortunate enough to witness and photograph an exceptionally vivid 6-ringed corona. In this pristine atmosphere, the visual observation revealed four distinct rings encircling the moon, while subsequent image analysis uncovered even more delicate concentric circles. To accurately render the wide range of brightness in the photograph, high dynamic range (HDR) techniques were employed.

Techniques Behind Capturing the 6-Ringed Corona

To capture the breathtaking beauty of the 6-ringed corona, the astronomers utilized a Canon EOS 20D camera equipped with a 50mm lens. A series of exposures ranging from 1/1000 to 10 seconds were taken to account for the vast range of brightness within the scene. These individual images were then merged using Photoshop CS through the "Merge to HDR" function, followed by adjustments in levels and curves. The resulting composite image successfully preserved the intricate details of the lunar surface while accentuating the ethereal delicacy of the outer coronal rings.

The Intensity Distribution of the 6-Ringed Corona

The brightness distribution within the 6-ringed corona is a fascinating subject of study. Each ring exhibits a progressively diminishing intensity compared to the central aureole. The first ring, located just outside the aureole, possesses only 1.75% of the intensity of the forward-scattered light. Moving outward, the second ring is approximately four times fainter still, with an intensity of only 0.42%. This pattern continues as we encounter each subsequent ring, creating a visually captivating display of diminishing luminosity.

Exploring the Inner Workings of a 6-Ringed Corona

The formation of a 6-ringed corona is intricately linked to the interaction between light and water droplets in the clouds. When light encounters these tiny droplets, it undergoes diffraction, resulting in the formation of concentric rings around the light source. The precise arrangement and spacing of these rings depend on factors such as droplet size and distribution. As a result, variations in atmospheric conditions can lead to the appearance of different numbers of rings in a corona.

The Beauty and Mystery of Atmospheric Optics

The study of atmospheric optics unveils a world filled with captivating phenomena that astound and inspire us. From rainbows to halos and coronas, these optical wonders continue to fascinate scientists and skygazers alike. Each observation provides valuable insights into the intricate workings of light and its interaction with the atmosphere, reminding us of the boundless beauty and complexity of the natural world.

In conclusion, the 6-ringed corona stands as a remarkable testament to the captivating interplay between light and water droplets in the atmosphere. While our eyes and cameras may struggle to capture its full splendor, fortuitous circumstances occasionally allow us to glimpse the outer coronal delicacy. By employing advanced techniques such as HDR imaging, astronomers have been able to preserve the intricate details of the lunar surface while revealing the mesmerizing beauty of the 6-ringed corona. So, the next time you find yourself gazing at the moon on a clear night, take a moment to appreciate the enchanting spectacle that unfolds before your eyes.

HDR Lunar Corona by Boris Dmitriev & Stanislav Korotkiy at the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Science, Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Russia. Images ©Boris Dmitriev & Stanislav Korotkiy, shown with permission.

A corona is a diffraction pattern in the sky produced by light interacting with small water droplets in clouds. It has a huge range of brightness. Most scattered light goes into the bright central aureole but even that is dim compared with the moon itself. The first ring outside the aureole has only 1.75% of the forward-scattered light intensity. The second ring is 4X fainter still at 0.42% and so on.

Our eyes cannot cope with the intensity range and we usually see no more than 2-3 rings. Cameras are worse and cannot capture the rings without grossly over-exposing the moon and central portions. Sometimes a fortuitous cloud does allow the lunar details to be preserved while capturing the outer coronal delicacy.

In the clear air of the 2,070m high observatory, four rings were seen visually and even more are on the image. High Dynamic Range (HDR) techniques were used to render the brightness range. Individual images were made with a 50mm lens on a Canon EOS 20D using exposures of 1/1000, �, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10s. They were combined in PhotoShop CS (File > Automate > Merge to HDR) followed by levels and curves adjustment.

The small images are from the original 1/1000, 1/2 and 10s exposures.

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