Atmospheric Optics

Iridescence is the phenomenon of the rainbow, which is caused by the refraction, dispersion, and reflection of sunlight in water droplets.

Mirage is an optical illusion caused by the bending of light rays due to variations in temperature and density of air near the ground, resulting in the appearance of shimmering objects.

Scintillation is the twinkling of stars due to variations in the density and temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, causing the light rays from the stars to bend and fluctuate.

Halo is a circular or elliptical ring around the sun or moon caused by the refraction of light through ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Anthelion is the bright spot opposite the sun during sunrise or sunset, caused by the reflection of sunlight from ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Green flash is a brief flash of green light seen just as the sun sets or rises, caused by the dispersion of sunlight through the Earth's atmosphere.

Belt of Venus is a faint band of light seen in the sky opposite the sun during sunrise or sunset, caused by the scattering of sunlight by dust particles in the Earth's atmosphere.

Sun pillar is a vertical column of light extending from the sun or moon, caused by the reflection of sunlight or moonlight from ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Parhelia are bright spots seen around the sun or moon during sunrise or sunset, caused by the refraction of sunlight or moonlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Gegenschein is a faint glow in the night sky opposite the sun, caused by the scattering of sunlight by dust particles in the Earth's atmosphere.

Corona is a colorful ring seen around the sun or moon during sunrise or sunset, caused by the diffraction of sunlight or moonlight through water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Counterglow is a bright spot above or below the sun or moon, caused by the reflection of sunlight or moonlight from ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Zodiacal light is a faint band of light seen in the sky after sunset, caused by the scattering of sunlight by dust particles in the Earth's atmosphere.

Anthelion is a bright spot opposite the sun during sunrise or sunset, caused by the reflection of sunlight from ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Halo is a colorful ring seen around the sun or moon during sunrise or sunset, caused by the refraction of sunlight or moonlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere.