Unknown Thing In Sky

[reuben101]

Hi I'm new here and didn't really know where to post this,

I have seen tonight something very strange in the sky (See image), that was sort of like a rainbow coloured blob, but it was alot bigger than the moon. Please see the images attached. What is it? I can provide lots more images, and some of it later once it had faded. 

Thanks,

Reuben

[JamesF]

I think that's a Moon dog.  We've had a few Sun dog images posted recently, but I think yours is the first Moon dog I've seen.

James

[knobby]

Rough guess, full Moon rising in the East illuminating low misty cloud causing a rainbow effect

[JamesF]

Here you go: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_dog

James

[Ruud]

Hi Reuben,

That's a rare thing to see indeed. And a good photo too. I can definitely see the rainbow colours.

Great post!

[JamesF]

That's a rare thing to see indeed. And a good photo too. I can definitely see the rainbow colours.

Yes, the Wikipedia article suggests you can't see them with the naked eye because they're not sufficiently intense for the cone receptors to work, but the colours are definitely there in this image.

James

[physicus]

I'd be delighted if I'd taken that picture.  Never seen a moon dog.  Wonder if there was one the other side of the moon too - guessing there should be.

[physicus]

While we're on this, here's a fantastic lecture by Carolin Crawford on atmospheric phenomena.  (Can't remember if it includes moon dogs, but wouldn't be surprised).

[laudropb]

Very good capture. Well done.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi reuben101 and welcome to SGL. 

My guess too that it is a Moon-dog.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I'd say yes to a moon dog as just above it and surrounding the moon you can detect a slight hint of a moon halo in the image.

[JamesF]

surrounding the moon you can detect a slight hint of a moon halo in the image.

Yes.  It's very very faint but I think there's definition something there.

James

[WaveSoarer]

Wow. That is a great first post! Excellent stuff and welcome!

[catman161]

Yeah definitely a moondog. I have only seen this phenomenon once but was immensely lucky that it was a double moon dog-one either side of the moon. One of the finest sights I've seen.

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[Mr Spock]

Nice moondog. Quite a rare sight, you are very lucky to have some pics of it.

[Dave In Vermont]

Great shot! And you have more, you say? Excellent! Lucky to be armed with a camera. I have to start reminding myself to travel so-equipped.

Here's a good site for cool sky sights:

http://www.atoptics.co.uk/

You might wish to share your images with these folks.

Enjoy!

Dave

[IanL]

Yes, the Wikipedia article suggests you can't see them with the naked eye because they're not sufficiently intense for the cone receptors to work, but the colours are definitely there in this image.

James

Just goes to show you can't trust the "facts" on Wikipedia.  To be fair it says you can see "little colour" but I've seen a few moon dogs where the red-blue split was extremely obvious, but not a full rainbow effect with the other colours.

[Mr Spock]

Wikipedia is the biggest source of misinformation on the internet. It's written by armchair experts

[JamesF]

Wikipedia is the biggest source of misinformation on the internet. It's written by armchair experts

Is that what it says in Wikipedia's entry on "Wikipedia"?

James

[Ruud]

Hi

Just edit wikipedia when you know the information  in it is wrong.

It's not difficult, and with every entry comes a discussion page where you can explain the changes you made.

[Mr Spock]

That's the problem with Wikipedia. Everyone who makes a change thinks they are right

[Tim99]

That is so cool.  A Moon Dog eh?  I have never heard of the term.  Never too old to learn.  Thanks for sharing that experience.

[nytecam]

Hi

Just edit wikipedia when you know the information  in it is wrong.

It's not difficult, and with every entry comes a discussion page where you can explain the changes you made.

Trouble is - who is the expert ? Wiki were daft to allow anyone to edit their text as it dilutes further any reality.

Back to topic - yes a great moon dog but not as quoted by "low mist" but by ice crystals at high altitude even if seen low in apparent sky. The phenomena is identical to that seen quite frequently caused by the sun but obviously much fainter under moonlight. I think if I recall that dogs are restricted to below ~40deg altitude but the right site will define:-)

Nytecam

[catman161]

Yep often seen in sunlight. I saw this beauty and then just above it this crescent spectrum last Sunday at the dropzone in between jumps. It was quite cold at altitude so easy to imagine the ice crystals forming up there.

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[Ruud]

Ooh catman, that second picture looks like a circumzenithal arc. I've only seen one of those in my whole life.

Wonderful !