Blood Red Sword, sun pillar, Wales - OPOD

The Blood Red Sword: A Rare Atmospheric Phenomenon

Have you ever witnessed a breathtaking spectacle in the sky that left you in awe? One such phenomenon, known as the "blood red sword," occurred in Wales and captivated the eyes of many onlookers. This rare event, often associated with omens of war even in Roman times, was beautifully captured by John Hardwick in his photograph titled "Blood Red Sword, sun pillar, Wales - OPOD."

The image portrays the sun setting behind Y Aran, an outlier of Snowdon, as a band of crimson light rushes up the sky from the sea to the zenith. The description by G Withrop Youngs's "An impression of Pen-y-pass, 1900-1920" perfectly encapsulates the scene. The sight of the sun's flames reflected on the sea, combined with the four dark peaks of Snowdon, creates a stunning backdrop for this extraordinary phenomenon.

A Rare and Elusive Sight

Sun pillars, like the blood red sword, are not frequently observed occurrences. They require specific conditions to manifest and can only be seen when certain elements align perfectly. In this case, blood red sunlight is necessary for the formation of the sun pillar. These pillars, however, do not possess their own colors but instead reflect the hues of the light that illuminates them.

The Science Behind Sun Pillars

To understand how sun pillars form, we must delve into the physics of light and atmospheric optics. Sun pillars are a type of optical phenomenon created by the interaction of sunlight with ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. The crystals act as tiny prisms, bending and refracting the light as it passes through them.

In the case of a sun pillar, one ray path involves two refractions at plate crystal side faces. These refractions are equal and opposite, resulting in no net dispersion into colors. As a result, the pillar appears as a vertical shaft of light extending above or below the sun. The pillar's height depends on the altitude of the ice crystals in the atmosphere and the angle at which the sunlight interacts with them.

Unveiling the Beauty of Nature

John Hardwick's photograph showcases the beauty and grandeur of nature's wonders. The blood red sword, rising from the sea to the zenith, is a testament to the awe-inspiring sights that can be witnessed in the sky. As the sun sets, the pillar seems to move, creating an illusion that it emerges from the mountain top.

The Significance of the Blood Red Sword

The blood red sword has long been associated with omens of war, even dating back to Roman times and Caesar's Commentaries. Its appearance in the sky has historically been seen as a foreboding sign, a symbol of impending conflict and strife. While we now understand the scientific principles behind its formation, the mystique and symbolism surrounding this phenomenon continue to captivate our imagination.

Capturing Moments in Time

Photography allows us to freeze these fleeting moments and preserve them for generations to come. John Hardwick's skillful capture of the blood red sword serves as a reminder of the power and beauty of nature. Through his lens, he immortalized this rare atmospheric phenomenon, enabling us to appreciate its splendor long after it vanished from the sky.

In conclusion, the blood red sword is a mesmerizing atmospheric spectacle that occurred in Wales. This rare event, beautifully captured by John Hardwick, showcases the grandeur of nature and its ability to create awe-inspiring displays in the sky. Sun pillars, like the blood red sword, are formed through the interaction of sunlight with ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. While we can now explain their scientific origins, their historical significance as omens of war adds an intriguing layer of mystique to these phenomena. Photography allows us to capture and share these fleeting moments, ensuring that the beauty of nature's wonders lives on.

Blood Red Sword, Wales

“The sun was setting in flames on the sea, behind the four dark peaks of Snowdon; and suddenly, from sea to zenith, there rushed up the sky an even band of crimson light-fulgurous and burning; it was the rare phenomenon of the ‘blood red sword’, an omen of war even in Roman Times and Caesar’s Commentaries.”

John Hardwick quotes from G Withrop Youngs’s “An impression of Pen-y-pass,1900-1920”.

He took this photo from 2000ft looking over Nant Gwynant with the sun setting behind Y Aran, an outlier of Snowdon.

“I look out for sun pillars but have not seen them very often. This one was very visible. It moved as the sun set, I have one photo where it looks as if the pillar is coming out of the mountain top!”

Images ©John Hardwick, shown with permission

Blood red pillars need blood red sunlight for sun pillars have no colours of their own.

One ray path for an upper pillar involves two refractions at plate crystal side faces. However, they are equal and opposite and there is no net dispersion into colours.

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Reference Atmospheric Optics

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  • "Blood Red Sword, sun pillar, Wales - OPOD". Atmospheric Optics. Accessed on March 29, 2024. https://atoptics.co.uk/blog/blood-red-sword-sun-pillar-wales-opod/.

  • "Blood Red Sword, sun pillar, Wales - OPOD". Atmospheric Optics, https://atoptics.co.uk/blog/blood-red-sword-sun-pillar-wales-opod/. Accessed 29 March, 2024

  • Blood Red Sword, sun pillar, Wales - OPOD. Atmospheric Optics. Retrieved from https://atoptics.co.uk/blog/blood-red-sword-sun-pillar-wales-opod/.