Describe how, when, and where Sun pillars are formed. What will ...

[maychende]

Describe how, when, and where Sun pillars are formed.
  What will be the ideal response?

Question 2

What atmospheric conditions are necessary for an inferior mirage? A superior mirage?
  What will be the ideal response?

[amy.lauersdorf90]

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: Sun pillars are caused by reflection of sunlight off ice crystals. Sun pillars appear most often at sunrise or sunset as a vertical shaft of light extending upward or downward from the sun. Pillars may form as hexagonal platelike ice crystals fall with their flat bases oriented horizontally. As the tiny crystals fall in still air, they tilt from side to side like a falling leaf. This motion allows sunlight to reflect off the tipped surfaces of the crystals, producing a relatively bright area in the sky above or below the Sun. Pillars may also form as sunlight reflects off hexagonal pencil-shaped ice crystals that fall with their long axes oriented horizontally. As these crystals fall, they can rotate about their horizontal axes, producing many orientations that reflect sunlight. So, look for Sun pillars when the Sun is low on the horizon and cirriform clouds are present.


Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: Inferior mirage: Occurs when the air near the ground is much warmer than the air above. Objects may not only appear to be lower than they really are, but also (often) inverted. Superior mirage: When cold air lies close to the surface with warm air aloft, light is refracted toward the normal causing objects to appear to be shifted upward.

[maychende]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[Joy Chen]

Gracias!