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Wednesday, November 5, 2014

10 Spectacular Natural Atmospheric Phenomena

10 spectacular natural phenomena that probably many of us will not witness in our entire lifetime!

Look up at the sky! Its a bird, its a plane… but it isn’t Superman. It’s a natural phenomen that lights up the sky!. Read on to learn more about these wonders of the sky.

Polar Night

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Have you experienced a night of darkness that extends more than 24 hour? This spectacular natural phenomenon happens only inside the polar circle and it is called the Polar night. Since the Earth’s axis is tilted 26 degrees, certain regions of the Arctic and Antarctic Circle experience a once-a-year of more than 24-hour of total darkness. An added treat… Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) is best seen during Polar nights!

Sun dog

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A Sundog or mock sun, is another natural optical phenomenon, occuring when bright light resembling halo appears on either the sun’s right or left side. Sun dog which may appear at any given season, and in any part of the world, is best appreciated when the sun is low in the horizon. This natural atmospheric phenomenon is formed during cold weather, when ice crystal crosses in high cirrus clouds. Sundog takes a reddish hue nearest to the sun’s edge and getting orange to blue in color further out.

Aurora Borealis

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An aurora borealis (or the northern lights), is a spectacular luminous arches of light occurring in polar sky. Aurora borealis is formed when highly-charged particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules present in the Earth’s higher atmosphere. Some of the energy are then transformed into luminous lights. Aurora borealis range in color, shapes and structures. Visible during clear nights, this spectacular natural atmospheric phenomenon occurs often during winter in places like Canada and Alaska.

Moonbow

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A moonbow or a lunar rainbow, is another spectacular but rare phenomenon to watch. It is a rainbow produced when a minimal amount of light is reflected off the moon’s surface. Moonbow is an elusive light display to catch, since its color (white) is too faint for the naked eye to see. For you to see one, factors should be take into considerations like; the moon must be in its shiniest, the presence of water vapor in the atmosphere, a dark sky, and the moon is low in the horizon. Moonbow can only be seen regularly in a few places on earth that include: Yosemite Falls in California, Cumberland Falls in Kentucky, Waimea on Hawaii. and Victoria Falls in Africa.

Midnight sun

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The opposite of polar nights during winter north of the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun occurs during summer months where there is a continuous 24-hours of sunlight. This natural phenomenon is due to the Earth’s 23°26′ inclination and as a result both the South and North poles are tilted toward the Sun for a period of six months. Midnight sun is best seen in places in the polar region such as; Alaska, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Northern Sweden, Northern Iceland and some parts of Canada.

Catatumbo Lightning

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The Catatumbo Lightning is another spectacular atmospheric phenomenon that occurs only in Catatumbo River, Venezuela. It is a thunderstorm characterized by flashes of continuous lightning that begins about an hour after sunset. Scientific findings showed that the areas topography influenced the occurrence of this natural phenomenon, which produces thunderstorm clouds as high as 10 km or more. Somehow, between January and April 2010, Catatumbo lightnings were surprisingly not seen mainly because there is a drought in the area.

Supercell

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The Mother of all thunderstorms, Supercells, is characterized by a rotating updraft (mesocyclone) that could bring in heavy rain, flooding, destructive winds, powerful tornadoes and large hails. Supecells usually occur in arid areas anywhere in the world. In the U.S., super cells occurred in the great plain states. Supercells range in sizes and usually last a few hour. Supercells are classified under Low precipitation(LP) supercell characterized by rain or hail and High precipitation (HP)that brings heavy showers.

Green flash

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Green flashes are genuine natural phenomena that can be seen before sunrise or before sunset, when due to different causes visible green to appears. These green flashes are usually observed over the ocean, over the clouds or mountain tops. The reason why green flashes occur is due to the refracted lights in the atmosphere. This optical phenomenon usually lasts for a second or two. It is best to observed green flashes over the ocean on a clear day.

Undulatus Asperatus

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Undulatus asperatus is likely to be recognized as a new cloud formation, though these undulatus-looking clouds have been observed the past 30 years. Undulutus asperatus is characterized by its rough appearance due to the presence of dry air above and colder air beneath. These cloud formations are commonly seen in the United States great plain states in particular Texas. They appear during the morning following continuous thunderstorm activity.

Light Pillar

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A light pillar is another natural optical phenomenon seen as streak of lights beaming vertically upwards. It is formed by light reflecting from floating ice crystals in the Earth atmosphere. Normally, these lights are seen when the sun sits just below the horizon during extreme cold weather.

28 comments:

  1. Wow, I don't think I have ever seen any of these phenomenons yet.

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  2. no wonder why they are called spectacular natural atmospheric because of its extraordinary happening.

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  3. Why only in places with extremely cold weather? I wish we had it here too. I would love to experience an aurora borealis!

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  4. I only know Aurora Borealis. The rest, I don't remember learning about them in school. Thanks to your post, Papaleng. I'm now aware that all of these atmospheric phenomena exist.

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  5. The catacumbo lightning sounds so awesome to see,but I'm afraid to be near any form of lightning, haha.

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  6. This is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this. I need to witness all of these before I die. I just need to.

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  7. Wow this is really cool. I have seen the northern lights up in Montana...pretty freakin amazing!

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  8. When I look at these stunning and beautiful pictures I think to myself that heaven was created on earth for us, the humans to enjoy. Incredible masterpieces of nature that leave me speechless.

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  9. I would love to see the aurora borealis one day :') It's my dream since veryyy long ago! Other than the midnight sun, I've no idea about the rest... :O

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  10. your post just gave me some amazing knowledge,never find such an awesome post before.Great work.

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  11. The rainbow, albeit one of the more commonly seen phenomenon, is the one that most people love and appreciate the most. Somehow, the combination of the colours will make one happy~ :)

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  12. wow, if i can (afford to) do it, i will surely add all of them into my bucket list! but first i guess i shall work towards seeing the northern lights.

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  13. So where am I living? Seems like I haven't witnessed any of these splendid phenomena... Interesting post you have here.

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  14. The Moonbow is my favourite. I hope I get a chance to see it at least once :)

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  15. at first sight i thought the title was related to paranormal occurrences! hahaha these are beautiful! hopefully i'll get to see em someday

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  16. Interesting to learn about these phenomenon! I was mot impressed by the sun dog! Would love to witness that someday!

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  17. Wah. I only knew of the Aurora Borealis. Today, your post has given me new things to learn. And I adore learning. A lot. :) So, thank you.

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  18. The north pole is lucky to have a lot of spectacular atmospheric phenomenon. The Aurora Borealis would be a great site to see.

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  19. I've never heard of these phenomenon! I personally love the light pillar & moonbow. Now, it kind of makes me wonder if the so-called alien appearances could be considered as a phenomenon too? What if it was some natural atmospheric activity that causes those appearances? Hmm...

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  20. Absolutely amazing post! My best friend lived in Finland for many years and has informed me of the crazy nights and days that last forever! Would love to see a Sun Dog, it looks stunning!
    Simone x

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  21. I have never heard of the last four, but they are fascinating all the same. I really must plan a visit to Norway to see all those polar phenomena. Those cloud phenomena are also very interesting to read about.

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  22. Wow, I had no idea there were so many incredible natural displays that happen! Of all of them I have only ever witnessed the Northern Lights and they are beautiful!

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  23. They are beautiful!! I would love to see Aurora Borealis one day.

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  24. This was a fantastic post on atmospheric changes that continue to amaze us. I've seen several of them but would love to see all in this life time. What a beautiful world we live in.

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  25. oh wow the photos are beautiful. i hope one day i can see some of these in person

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  26. Is it possible to observe one of these in our country? I dream to see the aurora borealis someday. huhu

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  27. This is sure one incredible list of natural phenomenon, and I have not seen any one of them so far... Thanks for compiling this list

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  28. Beautiful! This is very amazing. I want to see this personally :)

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