[sac-forum] Re: Puzzling Phenomenon
- From: Jeff Hopkins <phxjeff@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:55:22 -0700
Hi Howard,
I have a pilot's license and used have my own plane, a Mooney Mark 21.
I used to see that all the time. What you are seeing is the plane is
acting like a lines and the Sun is focused around it. If you are the
right distance from the surface the spot will be a bright spot. Closer
and it will be a shadow. Further and the spot dissipates. If you ever
took a Physical Optics course you might have done an experiment with
focusing using a point.
Jeff
Hopkins Phoenix Observatory
Counting Photons
Phoenix, Arizona USA
www.hposoft.com/Astro/astro.html
International Epsilon Aurigae Campaign
http://www.hposoft.com/Campaign09.html
On Feb 5, 2010, at 12:09 PM, Howard C. Anderson wrote:
Hi,
I encountered a puzzling phenomenon on a flight from Phoenix to
Atlanta
and recorded it on video: http://www.astroshow.com/Puzzle/Puzzle.html
Bright spot on the ground that moved as the plane moved. Spot,
aircraft,
and the sun were on the same straight line. Either a diffraction
effect caused
by aircraft's disturbance of the density of the air, simple specular
reflection, or something
else? Nothing I've thought of satisfies me regarding the cause.
Would appreciate thoughts from anyone who might know the cause
or is willing to speculate.
--
Thanks,
Howard, in Tempe AZ
Http://www.astroshow.com
http://www.AZcendant.com
http://www.ShastaDaylight.com
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