FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: iridescent green mother of pearl sky

[Andrew Cooper <acooper@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Bill,

We spoke with each other when you were looking at the event and I
mentioned a couple links that have much of the science behind these sort
of solar refraction effects.  Here are the links, the first one has a
list of about thirty different effects, with photos and explanations of
the mechanism.  Check out the entry under cloud iridescence under other 
phenomenon.

Andrew


http://www.meteoros.de/indexe.htm
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/opt/ice/halo/22.rxml



afls@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> I would like an explanation please of the following.
> 
> Saturday, May 2 at Kartchner Caverns State Park, was the middle of the four 
> day Astrofest with speakers and nightly star parties. Towards sunset the sun 
> was shining through high cirrus clouds. A large section of the clouds 
> southeast of the sun became incredibly brilliant mother of pearl blue and 
> rich aqua green.  This area was NOT 22* south of the sun and absolutely NOT 
> sundogs, nor were they in line to be sun pillars.  In fact the phenomenon was 
> not at all symmetrical.  What is this?
> 
> Bill Peters
> afls@xxxxxxx
> 
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-- 

Andrew Cooper
Tucson, AZ
mailto:acooper@xxxxxxxxx
http://www.whitethornhouse.com
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