The origins of some atmospheric optical illusions remain unknown, even after millennia of observation.
For the first time in almost 5,000 years of observations, researchers have fully cataloged optical illusions created in the sky as light shines through ice crystals known as atmospheric halos.
The atmospheric halo 'inventory' details frequently seen atmospheric optical illusions from known sources as well as shedding light on rarer halos,
including ones with origins that are currently a mystery.
Halos are caused by the accumulation of
water ice crystals smaller than 10 micrometers in the
atmosphere. Qualities of these atmospheric illusions such as their colors or whether they possess arcs, spots or white rings, are determined by the shape and orientation of the ice scatter from and the path light takes towards these crystals. Often, the type of crystal behind the scattering can be identified by the shape of the halo they create.
These atmospheric illusions have been documented by humanity since at least the Babylonian era — which began around 1895 B.C. — when the phenomena were detailed on cuneiform tablets. However, thanks to the availability of cameras as a result of the proliferation of mobile phones, scientists have never had so much data on these phenomena at the tips of their fingers.
Comment: See also:
- Cosmic climate change: 'Space plasma hurricane' observed in ionosphere above North Pole!
- Energy from solar wind favors the north, surprising scientists
- The Seven Destructive Earth Passes of Comet Venus
- Planet-X, Comets and Earth Changes by J.M. McCanney
- Gulf Stream System at its weakest in over a millennium, last significant decline recorded during the little ice age
- Electric currents driven by solar wind create Saturn's auroras, heat planet's atmosphere - NASA
And check out SOTT radio's: