Colourful moon dog observed, or what?

In summary, a colourful moon dog was observed in a picture taken by Thomas Sannes on December 9th. Meteorologists identified it as a moon dog due to its rainbow coloring, although these phenomena are usually white. Other suggestions from PF'ers were also considered, but the observer confirmed seeing colors with the naked eye and the camera only enhanced them. This was a rare and beautiful occurrence.
  • #1
arildno
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Colourful moon dog observed, or what??

Look at the following picture, taken 12/9 by Thomas Sannes:
http://www.storm.no/nyheter/fotograferte-sjeldent-vaerfenomen-3583707.html

He sent the picture to meteorologists, and they made their bet that this rainbow-coloured bright spot on the night sky was some sort of moon dog, although these tend to be uniform white.

Any other suggestions from PF'ers?
 
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  • #2


Probably a moon dog. Per wiki on moondogs: Moondogs show little color to the unaided eye because their light is not bright enough to activate the cone cells of humans' eyes.

However a camera is much better at capturing color than the human eye in low light.
 
  • #3


Drakkith said:
Probably a moon dog. Per wiki on moondogs: Moondogs show little color to the unaided eye because their light is not bright enough to activate the cone cells of humans' eyes.

However a camera is much better at capturing color than the human eye in low light.

The observer has affirmed that he DID see colours with the unaided eye (that was what brught his attention to it in the first place), but that the camera sharpened the colours somewhat.

So it was a very rare moon dog from what I understand. I wish I had seen it myself.
 
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FAQ: Colourful moon dog observed, or what?

What is a moon dog?

A moon dog, also known as a lunar halo, is a rare atmospheric optical phenomenon where a bright ring appears around the moon, caused by the refraction of moonlight through ice crystals in the Earth's atmosphere.

What causes a moon dog to appear?

A moon dog is caused by the refraction of moonlight through hexagonal ice crystals in the Earth's atmosphere. The crystals act as prisms, bending the light and creating the halo effect around the moon.

How often do moon dogs occur?

Moon dogs occur infrequently, as they require specific atmospheric conditions such as a sufficient amount of ice crystals in the air. They are more commonly observed in colder regions and during winter months.

Are moon dogs a sign of bad weather?

No, moon dogs are not necessarily a sign of bad weather. They are simply a result of the natural refraction of light through ice crystals in the atmosphere. However, the presence of ice crystals in the atmosphere can sometimes indicate the potential for upcoming precipitation.

Can moon dogs be seen with the naked eye?

Yes, moon dogs can be seen with the naked eye. They are typically visible as a bright, circular ring around the moon, and can sometimes appear to have a rainbow-like effect due to the refraction of light through the ice crystals. However, they may be more difficult to see in areas with a lot of light pollution.

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