World's tallest lily corona

Last updated on September 16, 2023

World's Tallest Lily Corona: Exploring the Phenomenon of Atmospheric Optics

Atmospheric optics never ceases to amaze us with its stunning displays of natural phenomena. One such captivating spectacle is the "World's Tallest Lily Corona." This phenomenon occurs when sunlight interacts with tiny water droplets in high-altitude cloud cover, causing diffraction and the formation of a corona. While the original article touched upon the basics of this phenomenon, let's delve deeper into the intricacies of the world's tallest lily corona.

Unveiling the Beauty: Understanding Corona Formation

To comprehend the formation of a corona, we must first grasp the role of scattered waves. When sunlight encounters the rim of water droplets or other objects like pollen, waves scatter in various directions. The diagram provided showcases two series of spherical waves radiating from two points on a droplet rim. In reality, waves from all over the droplet's surface contribute to the corona formation.

• Wave crests of the same direction combine, resulting in bright light in that specific direction.
• Overlapping crests with opposing signs interfere and cancel each other out, creating darkness at that angle.
• Consequently, far from the droplet, we observe bright light in the direction of the original light, forming the corona's central aureole, surrounded by vibrant rings.

Exploring the Role of Water Droplet Size

The size and brilliance of a corona provide valuable insights into the characteristics of water droplets involved in its formation. In the case of the world's tallest lily corona, it suggests that the water droplets were relatively small and similar in size to one another. These tiny droplets interacted with sunlight, diffracting it and creating a mesmerizing display of colors.

Creative Techniques for Viewing Sun Coronas

Observing sun coronas can be both captivating and challenging. To witness the enchanting colors of a corona, one often needs to obstruct the direct view of the sun. The original article suggested using various methods, such as using fingers, buildings, trees, or even the reflections of water. In the case of the world's tallest lily corona, the photographer employed a native Cabbage tree and a rose bush as obstructions to view the corona.

• The Cabbage tree, despite its resemblance to a palm tree, is actually the world's tallest lily, reaching impressive heights of up to 20 meters. Its towering presence provided an ideal vantage point for capturing the stunning corona.

Awe-Inspiring Dimensions: The World's Tallest Lily Corona

While the original article mentioned the world's tallest lily corona, it didn't delve into the dimensions or scale of this remarkable phenomenon. Let's take a moment to appreciate the grandeur of the world's tallest lily and its corona:

• The world's tallest lily, known as the Cabbage tree, can grow up to an astounding height of 20 meters. Its towering stature adds a unique perspective to the corona formation.
• The corona itself extends outward from the obstruction point, showcasing bright rings that surround the central aureole. The brilliance and size of this particular corona emphasize the significance of the water droplets involved in its creation.

Captivating Nature's Artistry: Atmospheric Optics Unveiled

The world's tallest lily corona exemplifies the captivating artistry of atmospheric optics. It reminds us of the wonders that occur when sunlight interacts with our atmosphere, creating breathtaking displays for us to admire. This phenomenon serves as a testament to the beauty and complexity of nature, leaving us in awe of its ever-surprising wonders.

In conclusion, the world's tallest lily corona showcases the enchanting interplay between sunlight and water droplets in high-altitude cloud cover. Understanding the formation of a corona, the role of water droplet size, and creative techniques for viewing sun coronas allows us to appreciate the grandeur and intricacies of this natural phenomenon. The world's tallest lily, standing tall at 20 meters, adds a unique perspective to the corona formation, leaving us mesmerized by the artistry of atmospheric optics.

Solar Corona imaged by Stefan Krivan at Manawatu, New Zealand. ©Stefan Krivan, shown with permission.

"The corona was caused by tiny water droplets in high altitude cloud cover which diffract sunlight. The corona size and brilliance suggests that the water droplets were quite small and were of similar size to each other.

Trying to cover the sun to view the sun coronas can be quite annoying, but it works. Fingers, buildings, trees or even the reflections of water can help with seeing the colors. I used a native Cabbage tree and also a rose bush.

Believe it or not, the Cabbage tree may look like a palm tree, but it is actually the worlds tallest lily & grows up to 20m tall."

Waves scattered from the rim of droplets or other objects like pollen are largely responsible for forming a corona.

The diagram (for simplicity) shows two series of scattered spherical waves radiating outwards from two points on a droplet rim. In reality, waves from points all over the droplet surface contribute.

Where wave crests of the same direction overlap they combine and there is light in that direction.

Where the overlapping crests are of opposing sign they interfere, cancel each other out and there is darkness at that angle.

The overall result far from the droplet is bright light in the direction of the original light, the corona's central aureole, with surrounding bright rings.

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

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