Friday, May 8, 2009

Skywatch Friday - Crepuscular Rays




Crepuscular rays, in atmospheric optics are rays of sunlight that appear to radiate from a single point in the sky. These rays, which stream through gaps in clouds or between other objects, are columns of sunlit air separated by darker cloud-shadowed regions.

Crepuscular rays are near-parallel, but appear to diverge because of linear perspective. They often occur when objects such as mountain peaks or clouds partially shadow the sun's rays like a cloud cover. Various airborne compounds scatter the sunlight and make these rays visible, due to diffraction, reflection, and scattering.


Visit other skies and crepuscular rays here.

9 comments:

  1. Really nice photo. Where would we be without Wikipedia. Sadly living in England I guess I will never meet Wilson.
    Paul Leeds Photo Daily

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  2. Beautiful picture, informative commentary.

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  3. I too love the effect the rays make. Breathtaking! Great capture! :)

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  4. I learned something here today! Thanks! Amazing photo.

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  5. Yes that's a very good example all right. Nice one

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  6. Who knew that something we are very familiar with has such a cool name?!?!? Your blog is not only interesting, but educational - and the pictures are great, too!

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  7. You certainly captured gorgeous light in this photograph! Thanks for sharing that with me!

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  8. We love learning from the Skywatch Friday crowd, not to mention seeing the beautiful photos like yours!

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So nice to hear from you!

Warm regards,
Lori Lynn