Sundogs in Antarctica

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Sundogs, these rainbow colored splashes of light on either side of the sun, are seen around the world on a daily basis.

Ice crystals in the air around Antarctica are “diamond dust.” And when they catch the rays of the low-hanging sun, the results can be spectacular like in the following pictures:

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Picture by B SUDARSAN PATRO on September 5, 2016 @ Bharati Indian Base Station, Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

Sundogs are caused by ice crystals in high cirrus clouds.

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Picture by B SUDARSAN PATRO on September 5, 2016 @ Bharati Indian Base Station, Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

Ice crystals in the air around Antarctica, however, are special. They are “diamond dust.” These tiny, jewel-like crystals of ice form on cold days in the air near ground level.

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Picture by B SUDARSAN PATRO on September 5, 2016 @ Bharati Indian Base Station, Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

When they catch the rays of the low-hanging sun, the results can be spectacular, with sundogs that glitter intensely as the dust drifts by. Look at this effect in action:

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Picture by B SUDARSAN PATRO on September 5, 2016 @ Bharati Indian Base Station, Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

Each speck and circle of light in this image is sunlight glistening through an individual crystal of diamond dust.

What are they doing in the Antarctica sky?

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