Beautiful Skies: 8 Incredible Phenomena That Prove That Nature Is An Amazing Artist
1. The Green Flash
This optical phenomena occurs either directly after sunset or right before sunrise and usually doesn’t last for a second or two. The rays, which are visible on the upper rim of the disk of the sun, occur because the atmosphere can cause the light from the sun to separate out into different colors.
2. Venezuela’s Everlasting Storm
The Everlasting Storm, also known as “Relámpago del Catatumbo” (Catatumbo lightning), is an atmospheric phenomena in Venezuela which occurs only over the mouth of the Catatumbo River. This occurrence of frequent and powerful strikes of lightning are considered to be the world’s largest single generator of tropospheric ozone. The area sees an estimated 1,176,000 electrical discharges per year and is visible up to 400 km away.
This incredible spectacle originates from a mass of storm clouds at a height of more than 5 km, and occurs during 140 to 160 nights a year, 10 hours per day and up to 280 times per hour.
3. Undulatus Asperatus
4. Fire Rainbow
While they have no relation to fire or rainbows, these beautiful halo-like formations are as supreme as they sound. These optical phenomenons are formed by plate-shaped ice crystals in high level cirrus clouds. Technically named Circumhorizontal arcs, their multi-coloured bands run parallel to the horizon with their centre beneath the sun. Although fully formed fire rainbows are rarely seen, we think even getting a glimpse of their magnificence would be enough.
5. Sun Dogs
Sun dogs (phantom suns or parhelia) are a angelic, atmospheric phenomena which creates a pair of “sun dots” on either side of the sun. When these ‘mock suns’ co-occur with something called a “22 degree halo,” it appears as if theres a dome surrounding the sun. Sun dogs are best seen when the sun is low, as they’re beauty is often subtle and not easily spotted.
6. Nacreous Clouds
Nacreous clouds are a phenomena that, while beautiful and rare, are dangerously destructive. These “polar stratospheric clouds” are a major contributor to the formation of ozone holes in the Arctic and Antarctic. Existing at only high altitudes, 70,000 feet or above, these anomalies take place two times higher than where commercial airlines fly.
7. Belt of Venus
This beautiful sight can be seen at sunrise and sunset. Also known as the “anti-twilight arch,” the pinkish glow is often paired with Earth’s Shadow, or dark segments, another phenomena of the atmosphere.
8. Skypunch
Skypunches, or punch hole clouds, were deemed as such because they actually look like isolated punches in clouds. This anomaly only occurs when the temperature of cirrocumulus or altocumulus clouds is below freezing, but the water has not yet frozen.
Once the ice crystals are formed in the clouds, it creates a “domino effect” and the water surrounding the crystals begin to evaporate, thus creating a large circular or elliptical gap.
