On December 10, not one but three suns were visible in Shanghai’s skies. The strange scene consisted of one large sun with two smaller ones on each side. Photos of the scene quickly went viral and people immediately associated the sighting with the end of the world (due to occur on Dec 21 according to some). However, experts were quick to point out that this is actually a very common astronomical phenomenon— essentially an optical refraction of the atmosphere, and has no links with a potential apocalypse whatsoever. The phenomenon is also known as a “phantom sun” or “ice halo” and generally occurs in the winter when ice crystals create high clouds.
Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.
Keywords: three suns over Shanghai phantom sun phenomenon
All comments are subject to moderation by eChinacities.com staff. Because we wish to encourage healthy and productive dialogue we ask that all comments remain polite, free of profanity or name calling, and relevant to the original post and subsequent discussion. Comments will not be deleted because of the viewpoints they express, only if the mode of expression itself is inappropriate.
Please login to add a comment. Click here to login immediately.
The three suns should be linked with an horizontal line, not curved, maybee due to the optical of the camera? Also with a wider angle shooting, one may could have shot two more suns,, so at least 5... did you see that? I am surprised to be the first to post,, I am not a specialist..So not so very common phenomen from my side.The line which link the three suns is a " circle" , an horizontal circle. I could post a picture of the entire phenomen but I don' t know how to upload a picture on "echinacities", If someone could help me I could add that picture. Thanks in advance. So tricky,, I couldn't manage to upload a photo....very easier to see 5 suns,, so I put it in my profile !! the easiest way I got to upload.
Jan 01, 2013 03:16 Report Abuse
Sign up with
Google
(
(