PARHELIC RING Meaning and
Definition
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A parhelic ring is an atmospheric optical phenomena that appears as a circular band of colored light surrounding the Sun or occasionally the Moon. It is formed due to the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of sunlight by ice crystals present in thin, high-altitude cirrus clouds or by diamond dust in extremely cold temperatures.
The ring is typically located at the same altitude as the Sun or Moon, appearing as a horizontal band encircling the celestial body. It has a diameter of approximately twice the diameter of the solar or lunar disc, and its colors usually consist of red on the innermost edge, followed by yellow, green, and blue towards the outside.
The parhelic ring is created through a complex combination of atmospheric conditions, including the orientation and shape of the ice crystals, as well as the angle and path of sunlight passing through them. These crystals act as tiny prisms that cause the light to refract and scatter, resulting in the circular shape and various colors observed.
Parhelic rings are an awe-inspiring sight and often occur in conjunction with other atmospheric phenomena, such as sun dogs or sundogs, which are bright spots sometimes observed on either side of the Sun. These phenomena are not only visually captivating but also provide valuable insights into the behavior and interaction of light with ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Common Misspellings for PARHELIC RING
- oarhelic ring
- larhelic ring
- -arhelic ring
- 0arhelic ring
- pzrhelic ring
- psrhelic ring
- pwrhelic ring
- pqrhelic ring
- paehelic ring
- padhelic ring
- pafhelic ring
- pathelic ring
- pa5helic ring
- pa4helic ring
- pargelic ring
- parbelic ring
- parnelic ring
- parjelic ring
- paruelic ring
Etymology of PARHELIC RING
The word "Parhelic" is derived from the Greek prefix "para-" meaning "beside" or "beyond", and "helios" which means "sun". "Parhelic" refers to something that is beside or beyond the sun.
The word "Ring" in this context likely refers to the shape of the atmospheric phenomenon known as a parhelic ring. It appears as a circular halo around the sun, hence the use of the word "ring".
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