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Solar pillar
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The
air in Antarctica is frequently very dry. The low temperatures mean that
little or no water vapour is held in the air, instead it freezes and falls
out, or builds up on surfaces as frost. Sometimes however depending on the
particular atmospheric conditions, the frozen water vapour remains in the
air as suspended ice crystals. In these conditions the crystals can
reflect sunlight in a variety of ways forming atmospheric phenomena of
different types.
One of these phenomena is the "Solar Pillar"
seen above. The sun is reflected very strongly so that the reflection is
almost as bright as the sun itself. Like a rainbow, this sight is
dependent on where the light is coming from and where the observer is
standing. The pillar appears to move when the observer moves, but always
remains directly below the sun.
Paul
Ward - Pentax equipment, 50mm lens, 35mm film, K64.
This picture may not be copied or used in any manner without
prior written permission. |
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