Nature never really fails to surprise us, does it? The silhouettes that the sun casts as it waves goodnight to one side of Earth, the hues of blue that the sky paints and the waves of lush green that sing sweet-sounding melodies of life, Nature is much more than what one may perceive. It is a beautiful mystery that mesmerizes and brightens our experiences. These natural phenomena have gained their basis through scientific explanations and facts.
Scroll through to check out five astonishing natural phenomena that will surprise you and will compel you to revere with the strength and power of Nature.
1. The Light Pillar
A light pillar is the result of an internal reflection that takes place between two ice crystals in horizontal and parallel planar surfaces. This natural phenomenon is usually conceived when the sun sets and positions itself near the horizon. Many times, a similar light effect is observed due to the Moon. The reflected light soars right out of the source and distorts into the sky creating a pillar-like scenic view that is worth all the admiration.
2. Virga
Meteorology discusses a type of precipitation that originates from clouds and characterizes this as “Virga”. Virga is a visual marvel that showcases a huge hole in the sky. This natural phenomenon is basically a streak of precipitation that takes place from the cloud(s). The precipitates fall towards the Earth but evaporate right before they touch the surface. So basically, virga is simply rain that doesn’t reach the ground. This leaves a hole in the sky and a similar effect has been observed due to ice crystals in Gippsland, Australia.
3. Fallstreak Hole
Quite rarely, the water in some clouds in a specific region reaches below the freezing point but does not freeze. This is because the clouds do not have enough ice nucleation particles to form ice crystals. Due to this, an elliptical gap is observed in the cloud bed giving way to this amazing natural phenomenon.
4. Moonbow
When moonlight falls on moisture-filled clouds through reflection, the light gets refracted forming a faint bow in the opposite side of the sky from where the moon is. Since the bow is a resultant of reflection and refraction from the moonlight, this natural phenomenon is called a Moonbow. The bow is faint because the amount of light that is reflected and refracted is very little. However, it can be noticed due to the arch it forms in the sky.
5. The False Sunset
This natural phenomenon is an atmospheric optical one wherein a region of tiny ice crystals form a mirror and reflect and refract the sunlight that falls over them. Due to this, the cluster of ice crystals appears like a Sun or a False Sun to be precise. While the actual Sun is a few degrees above the horizon, the False Sun can be seen exactly at the horizon on a late afternoon. Usually, the look and feel of the False Sun are lower in chromaticity as compared to the actual Sun but in some rare cases, it appears exactly the same.