Abstract
OPTICAL phenomena appear to have been very prominent in the upper atmosphere over the southeast of England on November 9, 1941. An account of a brilliantly coloured arc has been received from Mr. A. F. Dufton, of the King's Lodge, Hunton Bridge, Herts. Although the colouring is described as fully as brilliant as that of a rainbow, the colours being in the usual sequence with the red outermost, the accompanying sketch, which was sent by Mr. Dufton, shows that the arc was not part of an ordinary rainbow, being parallel with the horizon. The radius of curvature was estimated to subtend about 40°, the sun being estimated to be about 50° from the nearest point of the arc (the middle of the arc). The phenomenon was seen at 4 p.m. B.S.T., and a trace of cirrus cloud was present. On the same day, Mr. L. C. H. Cave, of the Old Rectory, Blechingley, Surrey, as reported in The Times of November 24, that he saw a mock sun at Hitchin of exceptional brilliance, also at 4 p.m. B.S.T. This is described as being so bright that it was almost difficult to look directly at it.
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A Brilliant Atmospheric Arc. Nature 149, 46 (1942). https://doi.org/10.1038/149046a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/149046a0