Articles About Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, and Climatology

Volcanic Twilight Diary

This article explores the captivating phenomenon of volcanic twilights, revealing the influence of volcanic eruptions on the colors of the sky and offering techniques for observing and capturing the vivid hues. It delves into various aspects of volcanic twilights, including twilight arches, stratospheric clouds, and the elusive purple light, providing a diary-like journey through these awe-inspiring natural occurrences.

Moonbows, stars, dawn, more rainbows.

This article explores the captivating world of atmospheric optics, focusing on the enchanting phenomena of moonbows, stars, dawn, and more rainbows. From the elusive beauty of moonbows to the mesmerizing dance of stars across the night sky, this article showcases the transient beauty and captivating allure of these natural wonders.

OPOD - Idaho Glory

This article explores the captivating "Idaho Glory," a stunning display of atmospheric optics captured by photographer Ed Stockard. It delves into the formation of glories and the role of droplet size distribution in shaping their mesmerizing colors and rings.

Sundogs, England

This article explores the captivating atmospheric phenomenon of sundogs in England, discussing their formation, appearance, and tips for spotting them. It highlights the scientific significance of studying sundogs and offers advice on capturing their beauty through photography.

Zodiacal Light

The article explores the celestial phenomenon of Zodiacal Light, a softly luminous cone of white light visible during twilight hours. It explains that the light originates between the planets and is created by the scattering of sunlight by dust particles.

Five Sunsets

This article explores five stunning sunsets captured by Mila Zinkova over the Pacific Ocean, showcasing a range of vibrant colors, tranquil pastels, dramatic light and shadows, a tapestry of purples and pinks, and even the rare green flash phenomenon. These awe-inspiring sunsets remind us of the ever-changing wonders of nature's beauty in the sky.

Sun pillars from column crystals

This article explores the formation of sun pillars created by column crystals and their unique orientation, demonstrating how these crystals contribute to the creation of these stunning vertical columns of light. The study reveals that the nearly horizontal positions of the crystal's side faces make them ideal candidates for producing sun pillars, concentrating the dots near the zenith.

Circumscribed Halo

This article explores the formation, characteristics, and accompanying phenomena of the circumscribed halo, a captivating atmospheric optical phenomenon that occurs when sunlight interacts with ice crystals in the atmosphere. It delves into the intricacies of the halo and highlights its association with the parhelic circle, providing a deeper understanding of these rare occurrences in the skies.

OPOD - Another Peculiar Rainbow

This article explores a peculiar rainbow captured in Barbados, which deviates from the typical split or twinned rainbows. The unique characteristics of this rainbow, such as its curved split and widened outer secondary bow, remain unexplained and add to the mysteries of atmospheric optics.

OPOD - Peacocks

This article explores the intricate beauty of peacock feathers, revealing the microscopic structures that give rise to their vivid colors. From the highly ordered arrangement of melanin rods to the interplay of light waves, these feathers serve as a testament to the complexity of nature's creations and inspire advancements in science and technology.

OPOD - Errant Ski-slope

This article explores the fascinating world of atmospheric optics through the captivating image of a ski-slope captured by renowned photographer Pekka Parviainen. The image showcases various distortions caused by the complex and ever-changing vertical atmospheric temperature profile, offering a mesmerizing display of looming, sinking, towering, and stooping effects.

Submit an image, Questions

This article provides information on submitting images and questions related to atmospheric optics, while also emphasizing the website's history and the importance of copyright and privacy policies. Although image submissions are currently not accepted, the website offers a wealth of knowledge and stunning visual content for enthusiasts to explore.

Crepuscular Rays, Greece

This article explores the captivating beauty of crepuscular rays in Greece, showcasing their vibrant colors and ethereal quality. It highlights how the interplay between sunlight, clouds, and atmospheric particles creates a mesmerizing display of radiant beams of light in the sky.

Desert Fogbow - OPOD

This article explores the mesmerizing world of desert fogbows, discussing their formation, characteristics, and the factors that influence their appearance. It also highlights the rarity and enchanting beauty of these optical phenomena, offering a unique twist on traditional rainbows.

Halo Display, Oslo, Norway ~ December 16, 2007

The article describes a halo display observed in Oslo, Norway on December 16, 2007, showcasing various atmospheric optics phenomena such as upper tangent arcs, sundogs, halos, and rare arcs. The display left observers in awe of the wonders of nature, providing a visual feast of captivating features.

OPOD - Prismatic Doors

This article explores the fascinating phenomenon of Prismatic Doors, where glass doors transform into mesmerizing displays of spectral colors due to the interaction of light with the edges of the glass. It delves into the science behind this optical phenomenon and highlights that similar prismatic spectra can be observed in everyday objects.

OPOD - Spider Light Rings

This article explores the phenomenon of spider light rings, which are circles of light that can be seen when sunlight interacts with spider silk strands in a web. It delves into the unique properties of spider silk and how the random orientation of the strands creates the mesmerizing patterns we observe.

Cloud Bow - OPOD

This article explores the rare and often overlooked atmospheric phenomenon of cloud bows, which can appear against low-contrast grey clouds or in clear blue skies. It discusses the formation, appearance, and unique characteristics of cloud bows, as well as offers photography tips and highlights the importance of appreciating the wonders of nature.

OPOD - Volcano Skies

This article explores the phenomenon of volcanic twilights, showcasing stunning displays of colorful sunsets and twilight rays caused by sunlight scattering by aerosols and dust in the lower stratosphere. It highlights the impact of volcanic eruptions on atmospheric optics, emphasizing the global distribution of volcanic aerosols and their influence on sunsets and twilights worldwide.

Sunset Mirage Video

This article explores the fascinating world of sunset mirage videos, delving into the science behind them and showcasing awe-inspiring footage captured by dedicated observers like Cindy Lippincott. Witness the mesmerizing dance of refracted sunlight and discover the height dependency and equipment needed to capture these captivating natural wonders.