Visual Phenomena in the Atmosphere and Beyond

The skies are home to stunning visual phenomena that captivate us with their beauty and uniqueness, such as halos and false rainbows. By studying these phenomena on our planet, we can infer the existence of similar occurrences in the distant skies of exoplanets beyond our solar system.

Atmospheric Visual Phenomena

Atmospheric visual phenomena on Earth include breathtaking scenes like rainbows, which form when light passes through spherical liquid droplets, indicating the presence of these droplets in the atmosphere where such phenomena are observed. These phenomena also include solar halos, which are created by the bending of light through hexagonal ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Ice crystals in Earth’s atmosphere typically appear as snowflakes, and the orientation of these crystals determines the type of visual phenomenon that can be seen. For example, horizontal crystals can create light pillars in extremely cold conditions, while vertical crystals form light circles at the same elevation as the sun.

Visual Phenomena on Exoplanets

Studies suggest that airborne crystals on many exoplanets move and orient themselves in various ways, much like on Earth. These processes include magnetic forces that guide and align the crystals along the planet’s magnetic field lines.

On planets known as “hot Jupiters,” fast winds drive the crystals, causing them to align uniformly. Scientists have used the James Webb Space Telescope to discover tiny quartz crystals in the atmosphere of the hot Jupiter WASP-17 b, indicating the potential for visual phenomena based on crystal orientation.

The Role of Telescopes in Exploring Visual Phenomena

Telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope play a crucial role in exploring the atmospheres of exoplanets by studying visual phenomena. For instance, the “glory” observation technique was used to detect long-lasting clouds on the exoplanet WASP-76b, providing important insights into its atmosphere.

We can also predict what visual phenomena might appear on planets whose atmospheric composition we know, such as the potential to see four solar halos in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, where a special type of ammonia crystal is concentrated.

Conclusion

Visual phenomena in distant skies open new horizons for understanding exoplanets and their environments. By studying these phenomena, we can gain valuable information about their atmospheres, enhancing efforts to search for habitable planets. There are still many wonders to behold in other worlds, and visual phenomena like solar halos remain key to unlocking their secrets.