March - cumulus You are here: Home Photo gallery Atmospheric optics


Atmospheric optics is a collective name for everything having to do with light and color in the atmosphere, which includes subjects on the ground. Of all this, everybody knows the rainbow; other examples are the sunset colors, the flattening of the low sun, the occasional solar rays, and the light curtains of Aurora. But there is a vast number of phenomena which you may or may not have heard of. This gallery contains photos of a number of them. If you ever saw something strange in the sky and wondered what it was, chances are that you'll find the answer here.

Unlinked galleries are being worked on and will be available soon.

Note: some galleries may be empty or contain broken links to photos. I am still in the process of adding new galleries and photos.

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Ice crystal halos
120o parhelia
18o halo
18o parhelia
20o halo
22o halo
22o parhelia
23o parhelion
24o halo
46o halo
9o halo
9o parhelion
Anthelion
Circumhorizon arc
Circumscribed halo
Circumzenith arc
Infralateral arcs
Light pillar
Lowitz arcs
Parhelic circle
Parry arcs
Subsun
Supralateral arc
Wegener arcs


Light in water droplets Expand this category


Sunrise and sunset Expand this category


Twilight phenomena Expand this category


Light scattering Expand this category


Diffraction phenomena Expand this category


Atmospheric refraction Expand this category


Reflection phenomena Expand this category


Various phenomena Expand this category


Featured galleries

Select a photo gallery from the list below to view photos, or select a different subcategory.

120o parhelia

18o halo

18o parhelia

20o halo

22o halo

22o parhelia

23o parhelion

24o halo

46o halo

9o halo

9o parhelion

Anthelion

Circumhorizon arc

Circumscribed halo

Circumzenith arc

Infralateral arcs

Light pillar

Lowitz arcs

Parhelic circle

Parry arcs

Subsun

Supralateral arc

Wegener arcs