Anthelion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

12/21/15, 13:14

Anthelion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An anthelion (plural anthelia, from late Greek , "opposite the sun") is a rare optical phenomenon
appearing on the parhelic circle opposite to the sun as a faint white halo, not unlike a sundog.
How anthelions are formed is disputed. Walter Tape, among others, has
argued they are not separate haloes, but simply where various haloes caused
by horizontally oriented column-shaped ice crystals coincide on the
parhelic circle to create a bright spot. If this theory is correct, anthelia
should only appear together with these other haloes.[1]
However, anthelia occur unaccompanied by other plate crystal haloes, thus
scientists have produced alternative explanations. The Dutch professor S.W.
Visser proposed they form by two exterior light reflections in quadrangular
prisms, while Robert Greenler has suggested two interior reflection in
column-shaped crystals produces the phenomenon.[1]
While the anthelion area is usually sparse on haloes, in a complex display it
features various rare optic phenomena: Flanking the anthelion on the
parhelic circle are two 120 parhelia (and two Liljequist parhelia) caused by
plate crystals. The Tricker and diffuse arcs are produced in singly oriented
column crystals and form an Ankh-like shape passing through the
anthelion. Wegener arcs occasionally crosses the sky to converge in the

Anthelion 120 parhelion depicted

in Vdersolstavlan

anthelion.[2]

See also
Anthelic point
False sunrise
Glory
Liljequist parhelion
Optical phenomenon
Parhelion
Rainbow
Subparhelic circle

References
1. "Anthelion". Arbeitskreis Meteore e.V. Retrieved 2007-04-22.
2. Les Cowley. "South Pole Halos - Anthelic View". Atmospheric Optics. Retrieved 2007-04-22. (including fish eye photo
a.o.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthelion

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Anthelion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

12/21/15, 13:14

External links
Earth Science Picture of the Day, April 26, 2006
(http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2006/04/anthelion-and-anthelicarcs.html) - Photo of an anthelion and anthelic arcs display in
Germany February 2006.

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