Circumhorizontal arc

Anyone can spot a tiny rainbow among the cirrus cloud?
*hint hint: look above the lamppost!*
If you can't, never mind then, because I think my camera is quite lousy afterall. Anyway, for those who can, what you see is essentially a phenomenon called circumhorizontal arc.

A circumhorizontal arc is created when light is refracted through ice crystals in cirrus clouds. It occurs when the sun is at least 58 degrees above the horizon, and only in presence of cirrus clouds. In contrast to rainbow, circumhorizontal arc is seen on the same side of sky as the sun (so in case you are wondering, the sun in the picture is blocked by the trees).

Below are more pictures of this beautiful phenomenon:

(from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2d/Circumhorizontal_arc.jpg)

(from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/CircumhorizonArcIdaho.jpg)

(from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/09/Circumhorizon_Arc.jpg)

(from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Ohlookarainbow.jpg)

Other related phenomena include iridescent cloud, circumzenithal arc, Kern arc, infralateral arc, supralateral arc, tangent arc, Parry arc, halo, parhelic circle, sundog, etc. in case this is not enough for your knowledge greed :D

I'm still wondering whether this is astro-related. lols

Clear skies,
Anne (:

Watch "The Sky at Night" online!

Hey all!

This is super interesting! You can access this BBC website to watch current and past episodes of the monthly BBC TV documentary "The Sky at Night" online, hosted by Sir Patrick Moore. The show features a wide range of astronomical topics including stellar life cycles, radio astronomy, black holes, artificial satellites, neutron stars, and current celestial events such as comets or meteor showers, among others.

According to Wikipedia:
"Sir Patrick Moore is a former president of the British Astronomical Association, co-founder and former president of the Society for Popular Astronomy, author of over 70 books on astronomy, presenter of the longest running television series (with the same original presenter), "The Sky at Night" on the BBC and a famous figure on British television (such as being the Gamemaster). He is well known for his rapid mode of speech, trademark monocle, poorly fitting blazers, extremely high trouser line and a fondness for the xylophone."

You can explore other areas of BBC - Science & Nature: Space website as well. Do make good use of the resource when you have the time (:

Clear skies,
Anne

1st post!

Hi all!

Our NJC Astronomy Club's blog is now up and running! The blog features a wide range of content from announcements, training-related issues, to your daily bits of astronomy!

Feel free to leave comments, suggestions, etc. at the tagboard (:

Well, I don't know what to write for the first post either, so that's it!

Clear skies,
Anne (: