Dawn Clouds In North Eugene 1: Atmospheric Illusions

Dawn Clouds In North Eugene 1

Photographed and Writ by jimmyinspazZz

Atmospheric Illusions

•  Afterglows

• Alpenglow

• Belt of Venus

• Earth's Shadow

•  Coronas 

• Halos 

• Rays of sunlight

• Anticrepuscular Rays

• Crepuscular  

•  Sun dogs.

• Novaya Zemlya effect

Earth's shadow

A similar phenomenon to Brocken Spectre is the Earth's shadow also known as Twilight's wedge which happens during Twilight (early dust or late dawn).  When the sky is clear and unobstructed the shadow from the earth is cast onto the atmosphere causing this guy to be two different colors. Often the deeper purple or blue near the horizon 180° opposite of the Sun and pink orange  further up in the atmosphere.  Opposite the sun is Western at dawn and Eastern at dusk.

Belt of Venus AKA Venus's Girdle also the AntiTwilight Arch or AntiTwilight

 Of the same ilk and region of the sky another phenomenon occurs known as the Belt of Venus aka Venus's Girdle also the AntiTwilight Arch or AntiTwilight which happens just at the beginning of Sunrise or after sunset during a thing called "civil Twilight" it extends 10 to 20° above the horizon and is that pinkish glow separating morning and night or vice-versa. 

 The Belt of Venus and Alpenglow are twin phenomena, the difference being Alpenglow happens  after the sun is below the horizon. Causation for a more intense magenta and orange which is actually reflections of tiny particles precipitation ice crystals in the lower atmosphere.  By definition Alpenglow is not direct sunlight.

Crepuscular and Anticrepuscular rays aka Antisolar Rays

Anticrepuscular rays AKA antisolar rays are a phenomenon caused opposite of the Sun in the sky visible around sunrise or sunset and the reason is visible back scattering of atmosphere which is larger for low angles to the horizon. Muscular rays are not as bright and appear to converge in the sky at the vanishing point also called the anti-solar point which is caused by linear perspective, a visual illusion.  

Crepuscular rays come from the direction of the Sun as it travels through clouds and appears to diverge from each other. In layman's terms crepuscular rays are sunbeams whereas anticrepuscular rays are when the sun is below the horizon coming from the opposite direction.  It is called Wagon Wheel Spokes when crepuscular rays are encased by a rainbow.  A single beam of light caused by the shadow of a mountain is called a Mountain Shadow, go figure?!?!