Ukrainian polar explorers have recorded a rare lunar halo and pearlescent clouds in Antarctica, creating stunning optical effects against the night sky.
Ukrainian polar explorers from the Academician Vernadsky station shared amazing photos of the night sky in Antarctica, depicting rare natural phenomena – a lunar halo and pearlescent clouds.
These photos were published by the National Antarctic Science Center, and their author is meteorologist of the 29th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition Sergei Yakushchenko.
The lunar halo, an optical phenomenon in which a bright ring forms around the Moon, is caused by the refraction of light by ice crystals in the atmosphere. Scientists explain that halos can appear not only around the Moon, but also around other light sources, such as street lamps.
The photographs also show pearlescent clouds, which often form over mountains in winter. Under the influence of strong air currents and low temperatures, moisture quickly crystallizes, creating bright colors due to iridescence – an optical effect when the color changes depending on the angle of illumination.
Such phenomena are usually “illuminated” by the Sun, but this time the moonlight played the role of “illumination”, creating a unique atmospheric picture.
It was previously reported that subantarctic penguins are returning en masse to Galindez Island, where the Ukrainian Antarctic station Akademik Vernadsky is located.
Polar explorers have revealed a rare starry sky in Antarctica
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.