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Atmospheric Optical Phenomena
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Flashcards
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Aurora
A natural light display in the Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitudes regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras are the result of disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar wind. These disturbances alter the trajectories of charged particles in the magnetospheric plasma.
Solar Pillar
A visual phenomenon where a vertical column of light appears to extend above and/or below a low sun, often during a sun setting or rising. This occurs due to the reflection of light from numerous tiny ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere or clouds.
Rainbow
A meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicoloured circular arc. Rainbows caused by sunlight always appear in the section of sky directly opposite the sun.
Glory
A circular rainbow-like phenomenon observed when the observer is situated between the sun and cloud of refracting water droplets. Glories arise due to the backscattering of sunlight and are often seen from airplanes or high altitudes.
Sundogs
Bright spots that appear on either side of the sun, typically when it is low on the horizon. They are caused by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere. Sundogs are part of the larger family of halos.
Mirage
An optical illusion that occurs because of the refraction of light. It can happen on hot days when layers of air at different temperatures create gradients of refractive index, causing light waves to bend. Mirages are often observed on roads, giving the appearance of water at a distance.
Halos
A ring or circle of light around a celestial body. Halos are formed by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light through ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. They often occur around the sun or the moon, and can indicate the presence of high thin cirrostratus clouds.
Green Flash
A phenomenon occurring just before sunrise or just after sunset, when a green spot is visible for a short time on the top of the sun. It is caused by the atmosphere acting as a prism, which separates light into various colors.
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