Tag: atmospheric optics

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Last night at around 10.55pm BST - 27th June 2026 - several members got their 2nd sighting of rare Noctilucent Clouds (NLC).

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The 1st two images are from Diane Clarke taken from Bexley.

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The next 3 images are by Martin Crow - taken from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex.

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This image was taken by Jim Burchell from Dartford.

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The next 2 images were taken by John Archer from East Sussex.

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A super example of a Sun Pillar taken by Martin Crow from Burham-on-Crouch, Essex on the 14th June 2026 using an iPhone.

''A light pillar or ice pillar is an atmospheric optical phenomenon in which a vertical beam of light appears to extend above and/or below a light source. The effect is created by the reflection of light from tiny ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere or that compose high-altitude clouds (e.g. cirrostratus or cirrus clouds).  If the light comes from the Sun (usually when it is near or even below the horizon), the phenomenon is called a sun pillar or solar pillar. Light pillars can also be caused by the Moon or terrestrial sources, such as streetlights and erupting volcanoes.'' Ref:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pillar

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The first sighting of Noctilucent clouds (NLC) by a CMHASD member this year was by member Jim Burchell in the early hours of the 9th June 2026. Below are 2 splendid photos Jim took of the NLC around 3am from Dartford, Kent. The photo on the right shows some fine detail of the NLC.

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Then later that night on the 9th June around 10.50pmish they were spotted again by 2 other CMHASD members.  Below is the photo taken of the NLC by Martin Crow from Burnham on Crouch in Essex.

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Two superb images of the same Solar Halo taken by Jim Burchell on the 17th February 2026.

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Four fab Lunar Halo images. All taken on the night of the 13th Dec 2025.

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By Martin Crow from Burham-On-Crouch.

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By Gary Hunt taken from Isle of Sheppey.

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By Honor Wheeler from Dartford.

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By George Buckberry from Hextable.

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NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.

A stunning example of 2 Sun dogs captured by member Kevin Smith whilst on an early morning walk on the 10th Sept 2024.

A sun dog is also called a parhelion (plural parhelia) and is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that consists of a bright spot to one or both sides of the Sun. The sun dog is a member of the family of halos caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere.

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Images by Honor Wheeler

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Images by Terry Miles

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