Corona Rings - OPOD

Last updated on September 16, 2023

Corona Rings: A Spectacular Atmospheric Phenomenon

Corona rings, also known as coronae, are mesmerizing optical phenomena that can be observed around the Sun or Moon. These multi-ringed structures appear as colorful circles surrounding the celestial body and are caused by the diffraction and interference of light as it passes through tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the Earth's atmosphere. While the existing content provides a glimpse into the beauty of corona rings, let's delve deeper into this captivating phenomenon and explore some additional aspects.

The Complexity of Corona Rings

The number of rings visible in a corona can vary, with some sightings displaying as many as four rings or possibly even more. The intensity of the rings decreases as you move away from the central point, with the first ring typically being the most prominent. However, subsequent rings may appear fainter but still retain their enchanting allure.

Factors Affecting Corona Appearance

Several factors influence the appearance and characteristics of corona rings:

• Light Color: Different colors of light can yield varying corona ring patterns. For instance, a computation using monochromatic green light (500nm) reveals a distinct pattern of rings. The first ring is already significantly dimmer compared to the central intensity, while subsequent rings gradually decrease in brightness. This suggests that we may often observe multiple rings in corona formations.

• White Light: When viewing corona rings under white light, the intensity profile becomes more challenging to interpret. The overlapping colors of different-sized coronae can obscure intensity variations, leaving only differences in color to distinguish the rings.

• Droplet Size: The size of water droplets or ice crystals in a cloud plays a crucial role in determining the characteristics of coronae. Corona rings are produced through diffraction by individual droplets, and smaller droplets tend to generate larger coronae. Clouds with a wide range of droplet sizes may produce coronae with fewer rings due to the variation in droplet size.

Capturing the Beauty of Corona Rings

Photographing corona rings can be a captivating experience, although it can be challenging to fully capture their magnificence. The existing content showcases a photograph taken with a basic iPhone 3, which, although impressive, does not truly do justice to the intricate details and vibrant colors of the corona. To fully appreciate the complexity of corona rings, it is recommended to use high-quality camera equipment capable of capturing the subtle variations in intensity and color.

Awe-Inspiring Encounters

Corona rings are not only a visual delight but also provide opportunities for unique observations. In the photograph mentioned earlier, a flock of migrating Sandhill Cranes appears as tiny specks near a parking lot light. This highlights how corona sightings can coincide with other natural phenomena, creating awe-inspiring moments that combine atmospheric optics with the wonders of nature.

Exploring the Science of Corona Rings

Understanding the science behind corona rings involves delving into the principles of diffraction and interference. As light passes through the atmosphere, it encounters tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air. These particles act as miniature prisms, bending and scattering the light. The diffracted light waves interfere with each other, creating a series of concentric rings that form the corona.

The Beauty of Nature's Optical Illusions

Corona rings are just one example of the many captivating optical illusions created by interactions between light and atmospheric particles. Rainbows, halos, and sundogs are other fascinating phenomena that arise from similar principles. These natural wonders serve as a reminder of the intricate beauty that surrounds us and provide opportunities for scientific exploration and artistic inspiration.

Conclusion

Corona rings are truly spectacular atmospheric phenomena that showcase the mesmerizing interplay between light and atmospheric particles. From their multi-ringed structure to the intricate color patterns, these optical illusions never fail to captivate and inspire. While the existing content provided a glimpse into the world of corona rings, our exploration has delved deeper into the factors influencing their appearance, the challenges in capturing their beauty, and the scientific principles behind their formation. So, keep your eyes to the sky, and you may be fortunate enough to witness the enchanting dance of corona rings in all their glory.

Corona Rings ~ An intense multi-ringed corona around the sun by David Smith at Columbus, Indiana. ".. the best I could do with a basic Iphone 3. It really does not do the corona justice. I was amazed at the number of rings, it was truly spectacular. Oh, and those little specs just up and to the right of the parking lot light are a flock of migrating Sandhill Cranes."

©David Smith, shown with permission

Red and green image channels were subtracted to enhance colour features and especially the rings which now appear dark. There are definitely four present and possibly more.

A Mie computation of corona intensity. The green line is for monochromatic green light (500nm). The first green ring is already down to 1/50th of the central intensity. Then the rings fall off in brightness more slowly and we might therefore expect to see many rings more often.

White light is enemy number one as the white intensity profile shows � intensity wise we now have difficulty picking out the ring positions. Coronae of different colours are different sized and beyond the first ring the colour overlap wipes out intensity variations leaving only colour differences to identify the rings. Enemy number two is droplet size variations. Coronae, produced by single droplet diffraction, are larger the smaller the droplet. A cloud with many sized droplets will produce coronae with fewer rings.

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Reference Atmospheric Optics

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