Atmospheric phenomena: what are they and their characteristics

Many layers exist in the atmosphere, but atmospheric phenomena occur only in the troposphere. This phenomenon takes place worldwide and depends on the number of solar waves, the intensity of the solar rays, wind regime, atmospheric pressure, temperature and many other variables. Sundogs, light pillars, Halos in the Sky are atmospheric phenomena. They occur when light from the Sun and the Moon enters the earth through the atmosphere; it is sometimes reflected, dispersed and refracted by tiny ice crystals, water droplets and dust to produce fantastic atmospheric visions. Rainbows also fall in the category of atmospheric phenomena.

Halos are most commonly observed from the earth; the 22-degree formed when light passing through an ice crystal bends 22 degrees. While 46-degree halos form when the light bends 46 degrees

In general, halos can be seen throughout the year worldwide. However, they are more often seen in the winter months because the cold weather creates better conditions for forming halo-generating ice. 

Alpenglow is also an atmospheric phenomenon that occurs just after sunset. The pink light in the Sky, opposite the evening, gives mountains a pinkish glow.

Auroras or northern lights are also atmospheric phenomena. These beautiful phenomena can typically only be seen near the arctic circles. Zodiacal lights are reflected off of the planet, dust in our solar system, as these objects light on a flat plan to each other. It is similar to the way stars and dust in the Milky Way create a beautiful band across a dark in the Nighttime Sky.

Green flashes are also an atmospheric phenomenon. Those who see these lights are lucky because it happens for a short interval of time. It occurs when the sunsets. Crepuscular rays are rays of sunlight that are parallel to each other. But they appear to come together due to the long distances between the Sun and observer. These are the pink or red rays that sit approximately 10 degrees above the eastern horizon right after the Sunsets in the westside or 10 degrees above the western horizon before Sun rises in the east. The pink band rests on a darker grey or blue bar, the earth’s shadow.