OpticsPOD Archive - Latest Features

Last updated on September 16, 2023

OpticsPOD Archive - Exploring the Latest Features

Welcome to the OpticsPOD Archive, a treasure trove of atmospheric optics phenomena captured from all around the world. In this article, we will delve into some of the fascinating and awe-inspiring features that have been documented in the archive. From crystal halos in Poland to the elusive Green Flashes in two different types, there is no shortage of mesmerizing optical displays to discover. So, let's embark on this visual journey and explore the wonders of the atmospheric optics world.

Crystal Halos - Poland

Poland has witnessed the enchanting beauty of crystal halos, which are formed by the refraction and reflection of sunlight passing through ice crystals in the atmosphere. These halos manifest as delicate rings and arcs surrounding the sun or moon, creating a celestial spectacle that captivates the onlooker's imagination.

Glory & Brocken Spectre - Turkey

In Turkey, a combination of atmospheric conditions can give rise to a phenomenon known as the glory and Brocken spectre. The glory appears as a set of concentric colored rings encircling the shadow of an observer cast onto a cloud or mist. Meanwhile, the Brocken spectre occurs when the observer's shadow is cast onto fog or mist, creating a magnified and ethereal figure surrounded by a halo of light.

Three Suns - Northern Mongolia

Imagine witnessing not just one, but three suns in the sky! In Northern Mongolia, a rare atmospheric optical event occurs where two phantom suns appear on either side of the real sun. This mesmerizing display, known as the three suns phenomenon, is caused by the refraction and reflection of sunlight by ice crystals suspended in the air.

Twilight Arch & Earth's Shadow

During twilight hours, a beautiful arch of colors can be observed spanning across the sky. This phenomenon, known as the twilight arch, occurs when the sun is below the horizon but still illuminates the sky. Additionally, the Earth's shadow can be seen as a dark blue band opposite the sunset or sunrise. These captivating optical effects add a touch of magic to the transition between day and night.

Sundog Reflections - Skypools

Sundogs, also known as parhelia, are bright spots of light that appear on either side of the sun. In Skypools, these sundogs are not only visible in the sky but also reflected in bodies of water, creating a mirrored symphony of light. This unique reflection adds an extra dimension to the already captivating display of sundogs, further enhancing their ethereal beauty.

Reflections on Sundogs

Sundogs have been a subject of fascination for sky watchers around the world. These atmospheric phenomena occur when sunlight passes through ice crystals in the atmosphere, resulting in the bending and dispersion of light. The result is a pair of bright spots on either side of the sun, resembling two "mock suns." Sundogs are often accompanied by other optical phenomena, such as halos and arcs, making them a delight for those who appreciate the wonders of the sky.

Cloudbow & Glory - Greenland

Greenland, with its pristine landscapes, is also home to unique atmospheric optics phenomena. One such phenomenon is the cloudbow, which is a rainbow-like arc formed by the diffraction and scattering of sunlight by water droplets in clouds. This ethereal display adds a touch of magic to the Greenlandic skies. Additionally, the glory can also be observed in Greenland, casting its enchanting rings of colors onto clouds or mist.

Eclipse Night Venus Pillars

During a solar eclipse, when the moon passes in front of the sun, a fascinating optical phenomenon known as Venus pillars can be observed. These pillars appear as vertical beams of light extending from the sun's position, creating a mesmerizing sight. The pillars are caused by the reflection and scattering of sunlight by ice crystals or other particles in the atmosphere, adding an extra layer of wonder to the already awe-inspiring eclipse.

Green Flashes of Two Types

Green flashes are elusive optical phenomena that occur just before sunrise or after sunset. These flashes manifest as brief bursts of green light on the horizon, adding a touch of magic to the transition between day and night. In the OpticsPOD Archive, green flashes of two types have been documented, showcasing the diversity and complexity of this phenomenon. The first type is known as the inferior mirage green flash, which occurs when the temperature gradient in the atmosphere causes light to bend and create a mirage-like effect. The second type is the mock-mirage green flash, which is caused by atmospheric refraction and can appear as a green dot above the sun.

Glory Road Sign Optics

Sometimes, even road signs can become canvases for atmospheric optics displays. In Lebanon, a road sign has been transformed into a backdrop for a captivating glory phenomenon. The glory manifests as concentric rings of colors surrounding the shadow of the road sign, adding an unexpected touch of beauty to an everyday object. This unique sighting reminds us that atmospheric optics phenomena can appear in unexpected places, inviting us to always keep our eyes open to the wonders around us.

Lebanon Spotlights

Lebanon has also witnessed the awe-inspiring phenomenon of spotlights created by the interaction of sunlight with atmospheric particles. These spotlights appear as beams of light extending from the sun's position, casting a radiant glow onto the surrounding sky. The interplay between light and particles in the atmosphere creates a spectacle that is both mesmerizing and ethereal, reminding us of the intricate beauty hidden within our everyday surroundings.

The OpticsPOD Archive is a testament to the diverse and captivating world of atmospheric optics. From the subtle beauty of crystal halos to the dramatic displays of glory and Brocken spectres, each phenomenon offers a unique glimpse into the intricate workings of light and particles in the atmosphere. As we explore these optical wonders, we are reminded of the boundless beauty that surrounds us and the endless possibilities for discovery that lie above our heads. So, let us continue to gaze at the skies with wonder and curiosity, for there is always something extraordinary waiting to be revealed.

Most recent 50 08 Jan - June 08 Jul - Dec 09 Jan - June 09 Jul - Dec 10 Jan - Jun 10 Jul - Dec 11 Jan - Dec 12 Jan - Dec Crystal Halos - Poland Glory & Brocken Spectre - Turkey Sweden Halos Three Suns - Northern Mongolia Twilight Arch & Earth's Shadow Sundog Reflections - Skypools Reflections on Sundogs Cloudbow & Glory - Greenland Eclipse Night Venus Pillars Green Flashes of Two Types Glory Road Sign Optics Lebanon Spotlights Sun Pillar - Southern Urals, Russia Magellan & Airglow Tropical Iridescent Cloud La Cassiopea & Caustics NY Circumzenithal Arc Florida Halo Display Fogbow & Supernumeraries Primary Bow Cloud Mountain Cape Town Antisolar Rays Moonlight Rays, Stars, Lightning Kitchen Optics & Light Rings Optics Galore Multiple Supernumeraries Multiple Contrail Shadows Bouguer's Halo Contrast Illusion Lunar 22° Halo, Hawaii Primary & Secondary Moonbows, Ireland Waterfall Sea, Alderney Greenland Halos London Rainbows Greenland Ice Cap Optics Norwegian Aurorae Infrared Rainbow Bent Glitter Paths Red Arrows & Shifting Sundogs Classical Bows at Grand Canyon Moon, Rain, Stars & Fire Earth's Shadow - Turkey Greenland Glory Colours? Strider Caustics Year's first sunrise - Svalbard Ice Cap Halos - Greenland Reflection Bows Veszprem Rainbows Tonga Green Flashes Banded Airglow Hungarian Dog Canine Skies Vocanic Sunsets from Africa Diamond Dust Lower Pillar Secondary Bow Supernumerary Intense Iridescence Fluctuating Star Colours Adularescence Tulip Field Bows All-Sky NLCs, Finland California Halos Crossed Bows Sahaha Bishops Ring/Aureole Absent Aureole - Clean Air Stratospheric Aerosol - New Zealand Plasma - Lightning Spectra Antisolar Rays Miraged Clouds Linear Hole Punch Flight Optics Night Shining Clouds, Denmark 'Old Fog' Fogbow, Greenland Atlantis Space Shuttle Glory Pollen Corona, Finland Looming, Towering, Green Flash Upper & Lower Pillars Errant Ski-Slope Lunar Circumhorizon Arc Circumscribed Halo, Finland Near Sun Iridescence Mountain Rays Rainbow Shadows, Wales Mountain Shadow, Germany Iceland Rainbows Melting Radio Telescope Glows opposite the sun New Halo Book European rarity Hole in the sky? Circumhorizon arcs - Wisconsin High sun lower Parry arc - Florida Subsun Alphabet Soup Corpuscles & Waves, Fredericton, NB, Canada Twin Halos Start of NLC season Michigan Corona Norway Rainbow Nepal Lunar Rays Nepal Rays Upper & Lower Sun Pillar Two Summer Arcs - South Korea Bubble Optics Norway Sundog Tuscany Light Sea Water Bows - Blowhole Bow - Ireland Sea Water Bows - Bondi Beach, Australia New Zealand Halos - To enhance or not? Ice Corona? Asymmetric Opposition Glow Winter Halos Flattened Sun Alaskan Skies Diamond Dust Display Frost Dendrites Of still ponds and dusty windows Protractor Strains Halos at 34000 feet Breath Iridescence Atlantic Ocean Halos Cloud Forest Bow Lowitz and Parry Arcs Eiger Banner Cloud Swiss Diamond Dust Montana Halos Californian Mock-Mirage Twin Crescents, California Calgary Pillars Opposition Streak Mountain Shadow Spikes Alpine Sun Pillar Blue Ridge Mountains Haze Spanish Diamond Dust Halos Jupiter Corona/Aureole Ground Halo, Germany Diffracted Sunlight Belt of Venus, Turkey Yosemite Lowitz Arcs Finland Elliptical Halos Ice Crystal Colours Wednesday's Fogbow Christmas Glory Light Pillars near St Petersburg Moonrise over Lower Tatras Wave Clouds, Coronna & Iridescence 44 degree parhelion? Moonbow, New Zealand Swiss Alps Halos Skypools on Walker Pond Dramatic Rays Greenland Nacreous Clouds Corona & Pleiades Aircraft Iridescence Rainbow Colours - Grand Canyon, USA Eclipse Corona, Hungary Cluster Crystals Caustic Diffraction Gobi Desert Glow Tiawan Brocken Spectre

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