Sun Reflections Across the Sky

[Corso Marche]

So, please be gentle here, first time posting in the science section. I'm hoping somebody can explain the reflections of the sun I saw this morning, in language I can understand.

The first picture shows two of the reflections, and the light rays travelling from one to the other. It's the best picture I could get.


The second picture is worse, as I was looking directly at a bright morning sun and it was blinding and led to overexposure. Combine that with hanging out a window and the photo is far from good.

This shows the morning sun rising at far left, then the first reflection as you move right, and then the second reflection far right.

I tried to get to the roof but everything was locked up and I couldn't get out onto the roof for better photos.
If anybody wants to view the panoramic shot I can send them a link. The shots above are flattened/distorted so it doesn't show the curvature of the suns rays from point to point.

Edited by Corso Marche on Friday 1st March 05:06

[Corso Marche]

Here's another, taken by a guy living a few miles away, circa 1.5hrs before my shots.



Very cool looking.

[Eric Mc]

Sun Dogs - caused by ice particles in the earth's upper atmosphere.

[Corso Marche]

Good stuff. Thanks very much. I suspected folk in here would have the answer.

Will read up a bit more on it, now that I have a name/term to search for.

[AshVX220]

Where were the shots taken? Is that snow on the ground in the shot taken by the other guy? (That shot looks fantastic by the way, plus your first one looks very cool).

[Corso Marche]

Central Asia - Astana, Kazakhstan. The city sits in a vast steppe, so there are some beautiful skies to be seen year round as it's possible to see clearly from horizon to horizon because the steppe is so flat.

[Huff]

+1, Sun dogs.

Very good photos of the phenomenon BTW.

Astronomy Picture Of the Day - an excellent site worth a look every day - covers this well:
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap181221.html


(link to APOD daily post site:
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/
)

Edited by Huff on Friday 1st March 20:29