Sundogs in Antarctica

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:

Sundogs are caused by ice crystals in high cirrus clouds.

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.

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:

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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