Refraction of light through ice crystals

AI Thread Summary
Sundogs form due to the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the atmosphere, creating bright spots on either side of the sun. A ray diagram illustrating this process can clarify how light bends at specific angles when passing through hexagonal ice crystals. The discussion includes a recommendation for a helpful website that provides further information and visuals on the topic. Moving the conversation to the General Physics forum is suggested for broader engagement and to share the visual resources. Understanding the mechanics of light refraction in ice crystals is essential for grasping the phenomenon of sundogs.
jnimagine
Messages
176
Reaction score
0
can someone explain to me how sundogs form?
I know it has to do with refraction of light through ice crystals but i need a good ray diagram explaining this...
 
Science news on Phys.org
A web pointer would help.
 
My physics teacher gave us this website. It helped me, maybe it will help you too

http://www.meteoros.de/indexe.htm
 
I'm going to move this up to the General Physics forum. If nothing else, for the pretty pictures in your link. :smile:
 
Thread 'A quartet of epi-illumination methods'

Thread 'A quartet of epi-illumination methods'

Well, it took almost 20 years (!!!), but I finally obtained a set of epi-phase microscope objectives (Zeiss). The principles of epi-phase contrast is nearly identical to transillumination phase contrast, but the phase ring is a 1/8 wave retarder rather than a 1/4 wave retarder (because with epi-illumination, the light passes through the ring twice). This method was popular only for a very short period of time before epi-DIC (differential interference contrast) became widely available. So...
View full post »

Thread 'Effective absorption coefficient of gold nanoparticles'

I am currently undertaking a research internship where I am modelling the heating of silicon wafers with a 515 nm femtosecond laser. In order to increase the absorption of the laser into the oxide layer on top of the wafer it was suggested we use gold nanoparticles. I was tasked with modelling the optical properties of a 5nm gold nanoparticle, in particular the absorption cross section, using COMSOL Multiphysics. My model seems to be getting correct values for the absorption coefficient and...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Shouldn't the refracted ray be along the boundary here?
Replies
5
Views
2K
I Why do we use low-coherence light in Optical Coherence Tomography?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Critical angle (symmetry of refraction) confusion
Replies
5
Views
2K
I Optical Effect: curved light source when seen through the bus window
Replies
5
Views
3K
I How can I derive this relation from Snell's law?
Replies
1
Views
2K
No double refraction (birefrigence)?
Replies
22
Views
3K
180 degree phase shift of reflected light
Replies
2
Views
2K
Refraction of Light: Myth or Reality?
Replies
41
Views
4K
I How different is a calcite crystal from a polarizer?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Birefringence in in uniaxial optical media and Snell's law
Replies
6
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top