Mysterious trapezoid shaped stricks on sky

[sky_sumana]

Hi,
I noticed trapezoid shaped stricks on sky from my roof. Can anyone please tell what has caused this kind of shape in the sky? As you can see even the on the right hand side clouds has also been affected by this shape. I took this picture from south. It means that the sun is behind me. I'm sure it was not caused by aeroplane. Here is the image :

[Chris Peterson]

Hi,
I noticed trapezoid shaped stricks on sky from my roof. Can anyone please tell what has caused this kind of shape in the sky? As you can see even the on the right hand side clouds has also been affected by this shape. I took this picture from south. It means that the sun is behind me. I'm sure it was not caused by aeroplane.

Those are anticrepuscular rays- the converging shadows of clouds or mountains on or just below the horizon behind you. They are converging on the antisolar point. It is more common to see them on the opposite horizon, diverging from the Sun (in which case they are called crepuscular rays).

[geckzilla]

The sun is behind you, you took the photo from the south (south of what?), and yet your photo indicates you are looking west. You might want to check your compass. It seems you must be looking either east if this is at sunset or west if this is at sunrise.

Edit: I'm being silly and assuming it was a sunset. Was this at sunset or sunrise?

[sky_sumana]

The sun is behind you, you took the photo from the south (south of what?), and yet your photo indicates you are looking west. You might want to check your compass. It seems you must be looking either east if this is at sunset or west if this is at sunrise.

Edit: I'm being silly and assuming it was a sunset. Was this at sunset or sunrise?

No you are assuming right it was indeed sunset. Sun was behind me. I pointed the camera to east direction. So these are anticrepuscular rays ?

[geckzilla]

Yup. Time to impress your friends with your new knowledge. Personally, I use every chance I get to say "crepuscular" since I learned it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticrepuscular_rays