 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Fogbow on Hawksbill Mountain, Virginia

   December 06, 2021

    JohnA_Picture1

    JohnA_Picture2

   Photographer:  John Adam

   Summary Author:  John Adam

    Hawksbill Mountain, at approximately 4,050 ft. high (1,234 m) is
   the highest peak in the  Shenandoah National Park of Virginia. We
   were driving along parts of the  Skyline Drive hoping to catch views
   of the fall leaf colors, but (i) were about a week or more too early,
   and (ii) were driving in thick fog most of the way! However, there are
   some  beautiful hikes of varying lengths all along the road, and we
   decided to take the one to the summit of this peak (it’s about a mile
   from the parking lot and not at all strenuous). The leaf colors were
   quite spectacular when viewed from “within” the woods. At the top we
   encountered a slowly-changing  fogbow as the mist drifted and
   thickened. A faint  supernumerary bow was visible at times, as well
   as a reddish tinge on the upper portion of the bow. A small gathering
   of other hikers on the peak turned into a short impromptu lecture about
   meteorological optics and the beauties of nature, despite not being
   able to see a panoramic view of the valley below!

   Cloud or  fog droplets (usually no more than 100 microns in
   diameter) are much smaller than the rain drops producing  rainbows.
   These tiny cloud droplets result in a bow that’s very broad compared to
   the bow formed by rain drops. Thus, fogbow colors are pale because the
   individual colors overlap. Note that unlike a rainbow, there’s very
   little color or tone gradation in fogbows. Photos taken on October 12,
   2021.
     * Hawksbill Mountain, Virginia Coordinates: 38.5542, -78.3967

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Atmospheric Effects Links

     *  Atmospheric Optics
     *  Optic Picture of Day: Gruppo Astrofili Galileo Galilei
     *  Color and Light in Nature
     *  The Colors of Twillight and Sunset
     *  Refraction Index
     *  Image Gallery: Atmospheric Effects
     *  What is a Rainbow?

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   Space Research Association.

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