Double Sun Illusion
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- Asternaut
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Double Sun Illusion
It was a bright clear winter day when I happened to look up at the sun while stopped at a traffic light. I was amazed to see TWO perfectly identical suns - one above the other - distinctly separated. Both were surrounded by a streaky band of clouds. The illusion lasted for about 5 minutes; then both images became obscurred. The brightness of the sun(s) was sufficiently diffused by the clouds to permit direct viewing without discomfort.
Now, I'm guessing it was an unusual ice crystal refractive phenomenonon; however I've never heard it mentioned in the literature. Perhaps one of you can explain this phenomena or point me to a reference/pictures.
Now, I'm guessing it was an unusual ice crystal refractive phenomenonon; however I've never heard it mentioned in the literature. Perhaps one of you can explain this phenomena or point me to a reference/pictures.
Regards,
Fred Klein
Fred Klein
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A little more information would help. What time of day, where was the Sun in relation to the horizon, the estimated temperature, are there any mountains, valleys, bodies of water?
Did this involve any alcohol or controlled substances? Just kidding!![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Did this involve any alcohol or controlled substances? Just kidding!
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
The more I learn, the more I know what I don't know.
- orin stepanek
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In all probability, the actual position of the sun would have been directly behind the thickest part of the cloud, and the images you saw were 'sun dogs' created in the thinner fringes. These bright spots are created at 22-1/2* from the sun's position (in any direction), usually in high ice clouds. Beautiful things to see, given a rather strict set of conditions that have to come together by random chance.
Slan go foill!
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- Asternaut
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Double Sun Illusion
Specifics...
I'm guessing it was about 2PM, quite cold - in the 20-30F range. The location was over land - however, Long Island Sound is about 2 miles away. No controlled substances![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
I'm guessing it was about 2PM, quite cold - in the 20-30F range. The location was over land - however, Long Island Sound is about 2 miles away. No controlled substances
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Regards,
Fred Klein
Fred Klein
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- Science Officer
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- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 12:12 am
- Location: The Enchanted Forests of N. Central USA
Quite cold? Where I come from we a looking for our tee shirts at 20* FI'm guessing it was about 2PM, quite cold - in the 20-30F range.
For ice crystals to form in the amount need, I would guess that some much colder air was trapped above 3000 ft line. The wetter, warmer air must have been mixing with the colder air in a relatively thin layer producing the reflective ice crystals making the Sun Dog from your vantage point near the same size as the Sun. I would have liked to see that.
The more I learn, the more I know what I don't know.