OPOD - Airplane Optics

Last updated on September 16, 2023

Airplane Optics: Unveiling the Spectacular Phenomena in the Sky

Have you ever looked out of an airplane window and been captivated by the stunning optical effects that adorn the sky? On a flight from Victoria B.C. to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Rose Babcock experienced an extraordinary display of airplane optics that left her in awe. Let's delve into the enchanting world of atmospheric optics and explore the remarkable phenomena that can be observed from an airplane window.

The Multi-Ringed Glory: A Mesmerizing Spectacle

As Rose gazed out of her window, she witnessed a mesmerizing optical phenomenon known as a glory. This ethereal sight is formed by small spherical water droplets present in the clouds. When sunlight interacts with these droplets, it undergoes diffraction and backscattering, resulting in the formation of concentric rings of vibrant colors. The glory appears directly opposite the sun, encompassing the point where Rose's camera's shadow would have appeared if not for the airplane's shadow obstructing it.

Primary and Secondary Rainbows: Nature's Colorful Masterpiece

The sky offered Rose another enchanting spectacle - primary and secondary rainbows. Raindrops, significantly larger than cloud droplets, play a crucial role in creating these captivating phenomena. As sunlight passes through raindrops, it undergoes refraction and internal reflection, giving rise to the vibrant arcs of color that we associate with rainbows. In Rose's photograph, the primary and secondary rainbows are separated by a distinct dark space known as Alexander's Dark Band. This region is where the raindrops refract no light towards the camera, although they contribute to the formation of someone else's rainbow.

Crepuscular Rays and Shadows: A Play of Light and Darkness

Looking down from the airplane window, Rose observed a breathtaking sight - giant shadows cast by countless cloud water droplets. These opaque droplets collectively create an opaque mass, casting massive shadows known as crepuscular rays and shadows. These ethereal beams of light and shadows extend downward through the air, creating a tangible entity that one can almost imagine flying around or even through.

Unlocking the Window Seat: A Gateway to Spectacular Sights

Next time you find yourself confronted with an impersonal check-in machine at the airport, make it your mission to secure a window seat. By doing so, you open yourself up to a world of awe-inspiring visual wonders. From the captivating glory encircling the airplane's shadow to the vibrant rainbows adorned with Alexander's Dark Band, and the breathtaking crepuscular rays and shadows cast by countless cloud droplets, the sky becomes a canvas of optical marvels.

So, fasten your seatbelt, secure that window seat, and prepare to be amazed. The skies above are teeming with extraordinary phenomena waiting to be discovered. Take a moment to appreciate the intricate play of light and water droplets as you embark on your next airborne adventure.

Airplane Optics

Optical effects seen by Rose Babcock on a flight from Victoria B.C. to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ©Rose Babcock, shown with permission

At top - Small spherical water droplets in the clouds diffract and backscatter sunlight to form a multi-ringed glory.

The glory is directly opposite the sun and therefore surrounds the point where the shadow of Rose's camera would appear in the sky had not the airplane shadow got in the way.

Middle - Spheres of water 10-1000X larger than cloud droplets - raindrops - refract and internally reflect sunlight to form primary and secondary rainbows. Here they are separated by a noticeable dark space, Alexander's Dark Band, where the drops refract no light towards the camera (but those drops do form someone else's rainbow).

Lower - Untold millions of cloud water droplets are collectively so opaque that they cast giant shadows - crepuscular rays and shadows - downwards through the air. In this picture it is obvious that the shadows are tangible entities that could be flown around or through.

Next time you are faced by an airport's impersonal check-in machine, try to persuade it to deign to allocate you a window seat. There are many sights to be seen.

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Reference Atmospheric Optics

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