Rare optical phenomenon observed from orbit

Rare optical phenomenon observed from orbit

Mankind has managed to make significant progress in scientific knowledge, especially when it comes to studying the home planet. But there are still many phenomena that challenge traditional explanations. “Gloria” is a rare optical phenomenon that is mainly observed by pilots or climbers who observe clouds or fog. This is a miniature circular rainbow that appears when the sun shines from behind and is in contact with water droplets (the light is refracted and returns to the observer).

This photo is an even more rare example of Gloria taken from space. On September 14, 2018, during the Horizon mission, the ISS astronaut Alexander Gerst posted a photo and signed: “It is amazing to observe the glory from the ISS. This optical phenomenon can usually be seen from the aircraft or above volcanoes. Theoretically, our shadow is right in the middle of a rainbow, but we cannot have a shadow because of the height. ”

This is really an incredibly rare case to observe the glory from the height of the ISS (400 km), since certain atmospheric conditions are necessary. The Earth's atmosphere extends 480 km above the surface of the planet, but most of it remains at 16 km, which makes the definition of the boundary with the space quite vague. The Karman Line at an altitude of 100 km is a common point representing the boundary between the Earth and the cosmos, but Earth and space weather usually ignore our scientific beliefs. In the atmospheric peaks, we managed to find many phenomena that are still difficult to explain, like silver clouds, sprites and blue jets. But the ISS provides an excellent platform for research.

The Atmospheric and Outer Space Monitor (ASIM) was installed at the orbital station this year as a specialized object. The collection of optical cameras, photometers and X-ray detectors is designed to search for electrical discharges born in stormy weather conditions that extend above thunderstorms to the upper atmospheric layer.

This observatory is not intended to study Gloria, but cameras also capture other events. Astronaut Andreas Mogensen with the ISS was able to capture the sprite, proving that this phenomenon can be observed from space. The orbital station serves not only as a space laboratory, but also as a convenient observation point. For example, earlier on it there was a solar installation, tracking the radiation of the Sun by the electromagnetic spectrum.

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