Venus Rays & Shadows, Hungary - OPOD

Last updated on September 16, 2023

Venus Rays & Shadows, Hungary - OPOD

Have you ever gazed up at the sky and witnessed the enchanting phenomenon of rays and shadows? While most of us are familiar with solar and lunar crepuscular rays, there is another celestial body that can create these captivating displays - Venus. In Hungary, photographer Monika Landy-Gyebnar captured a remarkable animation featuring Venus and its accompanying cloud shadow rays. This stunning visual spectacle may very well be a photographic first.

When observing the animation closely, one can discern the cloud shadow rays sweeping anticlockwise above Venus as the cloud moves. Although these moving shadows and rays were visible to the naked eye, Monika had to employ an ISO setting of 12500 to ensure the exposures were short enough to capture them without significant blurring. While this high ISO setting introduced some noise, Monika skillfully filtered the still images through a noise reduction algorithm to enhance their clarity.

The still images may not immediately reveal the intricate details of the shadows and rays, but rest assured, they are indeed present. This unique display showcases the interplay between light and shadow in our atmosphere, offering us a glimpse into the mesmerizing world of atmospheric optics.

If you find yourself captivated by this fascinating phenomenon, you may be wondering how these Venus rays and shadows are formed. Here's a brief explanation:

• Venus, as the second planet from the Sun, reflects sunlight back towards Earth.
• As sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, it encounters tiny particles such as dust, water droplets, and ice crystals.
• These particles scatter the sunlight, creating a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering.
• The scattered light then forms rays that appear to converge towards Venus when viewed from Earth.
• Additionally, when there are clouds present in the atmosphere, they can cast shadows onto the surrounding air, creating shadow rays that add to the spectacle.

To fully appreciate the beauty of Venus rays and shadows, it is crucial to find a location with clear skies and minimal light pollution. By positioning yourself in an area where Venus is visible during twilight or early evening, you increase your chances of witnessing this celestial dance firsthand.

While the phenomenon itself is captivating, capturing it on camera can be a challenging endeavor. As Monika Landy-Gyebnar demonstrated, using a high ISO setting can help freeze the motion of the shadows and rays. However, this may introduce noise into the images, which can be mitigated through post-processing techniques like noise reduction algorithms.

It is important to note that the Venus rays and shadows captured in Hungary by Monika Landy-Gyebnar are a testament to her skill and dedication as a photographer. Her keen eye and technical expertise allowed her to document this unique occurrence, providing us with a visual feast of atmospheric optics.

In conclusion, the mesmerizing display of Venus rays and shadows offers a captivating glimpse into the intricate interplay of light and shadow in our atmosphere. Through the skillful photography of Monika Landy-Gyebnar, we are able to witness this phenomenon in all its glory. So, next time you find yourself gazing at the night sky, keep an eye out for Venus and its enchanting rays and shadows - you never know what celestial wonders may unfold before your eyes.

Venus Rays & Shadows

Not the Moon but Venus.

Monika Landy-Gyebnar produced this animation. Look carefully above Venus to see cloud shadow rays sweeping anticlockwise as the cloud moves.

Solar and lunar 'crepuscular' rays are familiar - these from Venus are very possibly a photographic first.

The moving shadows and rays were visible by eye but Monika had to use ISO 12500 to keep exposures short enough to capture them without much blurring. That added noise - The stills below were filtered through a noise reduction algorithm.

All images ©Monika Landy-Gyebnar, shown with permission

The shadows and rays are hard to see in stills - But they are there.

Note: this article has been automatically converted from the old site and may not appear as intended. You can find the original article here.

Reference Atmospheric Optics

If you use any of the definitions, information, or data presented on Atmospheric Optics, please copy the link or reference below to properly credit us as the reference source. Thank you!