Can't help being pedantic again ;) This is actually the exact same optical phenomenon as in your post on the fallstreak hole: a circumhorizon (or circumhorizontal) arc. The flame-like appearance of this gorgeous example is purely the result of the clouds being shaped like that. Had the clouds been more regular, the arc would have appeared as a continuous "rainbow" band parallel to the horizon (hence the name). Atmospheric optics enthusiasts get a little grumpy when people call it a "fire rainbow", but I've got to admit the name sounds catchy.
I had posted a couple of photos of a 'fire rainbow' that Drabkikker describes on my blog a while back: Fire rainbow - and Drabkikker was kind to comment on those there.
Kidding aside, I would love to see me one of these in real life; they must be breathtaking to behold. Unfortunately I live at a latitude where the Sun doesn't rise high enough for them to form, so I should either take a trip south, or hope for a super-rare lunar circumhorizon arc.
Can't help being pedantic again ;) This is actually the exact same optical phenomenon as in your post on the fallstreak hole: a circumhorizon (or circumhorizontal) arc. The flame-like appearance of this gorgeous example is purely the result of the clouds being shaped like that. Had the clouds been more regular, the arc would have appeared as a continuous "rainbow" band parallel to the horizon (hence the name). Atmospheric optics enthusiasts get a little grumpy when people call it a "fire rainbow", but I've got to admit the name sounds catchy.
ReplyDeleteI had posted a couple of photos of a 'fire rainbow' that Drabkikker describes on my blog a while back: Fire rainbow - and Drabkikker was kind to comment on those there.
ReplyDeleteDid I? Goodness, I am pedantic, aren't I? ;)
ReplyDeleteKidding aside, I would love to see me one of these in real life; they must be breathtaking to behold. Unfortunately I live at a latitude where the Sun doesn't rise high enough for them to form, so I should either take a trip south, or hope for a super-rare lunar circumhorizon arc.
That - Atmospheric Optics https://www.atoptics.co.uk/index.htm - is THE site for sky and weather phenomenon explanations and examples!
ReplyDelete