Thursday, April 2, 2009

SkyWatch #38 – April Fools’ Sunset

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Last night, the sunset sky seemed to intentionally offer a contribution for this week’s SkyWatch post:

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These photos were taken near my home in northeast Iowa, USA.flare 2

If you know the scientific explanation for the colorful shaft of light which is part of this sunset, please include it in a comment.

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Thank you for stopping by this SkyWatch post. Please visit Skyley.com to find the multitude of other links to beautiful sky scenes from around the globe.

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[Many thanks to Dewdrop who left info about the "sun pillar" in her comment to this post. She states: "A sun pillar is a beam of sunlight reflected upward from horizontal surfaces of ice crystals."]

18 comments:

  1. Magnificent photos, the colors are beautiful.

    Have a great weekend!
    Guy
    Regina In Pictures

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  2. the colours are just stunning, no idea why there is that shaft of life..

    Gill in Canada

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  3. Interesting light there! Aren't skies amazing?

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  4. beautiful sky shots...colors are gorgeous. i don't think that is a sun dog, but maybe?
    have a great weekend.

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  5. I can't offer any scientific explanation but I'd like to congratulate you on capturing it.

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  6. You have captured a magnificent sun pillar! A sun pillar is a beam (pillar) of sunlight reflected upward from horizontal surfaces of ice crystals. Great capture! Aren't they cool?!

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  7. So beautiful, but strange...
    Nice weekend from Norway Anne :-)

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  8. Thanks Dewdrop! I was going to ask my Hubby, my Mr. Science...

    Really is neat Jeaannelle... I've never seen that before. Good capture!

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  9. Good sky watch post, I have no answer for your question.

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  10. Amazing color! Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Wonderful photos and I'm glad Dew Drop enlightened us on the phenomenon.

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  12. Loved learning about sun pillars! Now, if only we can see one in person!

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  13. Great sunset shots...the colors are so beautiful...I have never seen a sun pillar...good catch

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  14. Great photo's, I have never seen a sun pillar before, but now I'll know if I'm ever that lucky. Dew is a mine of information!

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  15. I love, love, love these sunset photos. But, as I always say, I never tire of looking at sunsets and pictures of sunsets. Those are beautiful.

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  16. Wow, a sun pillar, huh? Never knew that. Anyhoo, it's an awesome photo, quite spectacular!

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  17. Great sky watch photos. Nice to know about sun pillar..

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Thank you for leaving a comment! I don't usually reply to comments though I might answer a question.