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Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Jumping Sundogs Over Thunderclouds
NASA ^ | November 08, 2011 | (see photo credit)

Posted on 11/08/2011 3:14:47 AM PST by SunkenCiv

Explanation: What's happening above those clouds? In the past few years, videos have appeared on the web detailing an unusual but little known phenomenon: rapid light changes over clouds. Upon inspection and contemplation, a leading hypothesis for its cause has now emerged. In sum, this hypothesis holds that a lightning discharge in a thundercloud can temporarily change the electric field above the cloud where charged ice crystals were reflecting sunlight. The new electric field quickly re-orients the geometric crystals to a new orientation that reflects sunlight differently. In other words, a lightning discharge can cause a sundog to jump. Soon, the old electric field may be restored, causing the ice crystals to return to their original orientation. To help this curious phenomenon become better studied, sky enthusiasts with similar jumping or dancing sundog videos are encouraged to share them.

November 08, 2011

(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; science; sundogs
[Credit: abrigatti, YouTube]

1 posted on 11/08/2011 3:14:49 AM PST by SunkenCiv
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To: brytlea; cripplecreek; decimon; bigheadfred; KoRn; Grammy; married21; steelyourfaith; Mmogamer; ...

2 posted on 11/08/2011 3:15:26 AM PST by SunkenCiv (It's never a bad time to FReep this link -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

Or it could be differences in density.


3 posted on 11/08/2011 3:23:21 AM PST by wastedyears (11/11/11 is National Metal Day.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Neat!


4 posted on 11/08/2011 3:23:41 AM PST by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: SunkenCiv

Very cool videos! Thank you.


5 posted on 11/08/2011 3:23:47 AM PST by .30Carbine
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To: SunkenCiv

Very Cool! Thanks! :-)

Should I ping the Doggie Crowd? LOL.


6 posted on 11/08/2011 4:24:56 AM PST by left that other site (Psalm 122:6)
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To: wastedyears

Looks like the cloud has a pulse. Neat stuff.


7 posted on 11/08/2011 4:34:12 AM PST by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
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To: SunkenCiv

The movements are snake like. No wonder ancient people thought there were many gods.


8 posted on 11/08/2011 5:09:24 AM PST by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list)
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To: .30Carbine; SunkenCiv; left that other site
Dancing dogs .. none better than this one.

ENJOY!

9 posted on 11/08/2011 6:06:13 AM PST by NYer ("Be kind to every person you meet. For every person is fighting a great battle." St. Ephraim)
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To: SunkenCiv

Well, that was cool to watch! I’ve never seen that in real life, altho I’ve seen some cool lights that were like pieces of rainbow but weren’t. I thought those were sundogs.


10 posted on 11/08/2011 6:53:59 AM PST by brytlea (An ounce of chocolate is worth a pound of cure)
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To: NYer

Oh, that one IS a classic!


11 posted on 11/08/2011 6:54:52 AM PST by brytlea (An ounce of chocolate is worth a pound of cure)
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To: NYer

Ahhhh.....A GOLDEN!


12 posted on 11/08/2011 7:33:30 AM PST by left that other site (Psalm 122:6)
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To: SunkenCiv

Awesome. I didn’t know you could teach sundogs to jump like that. All mine wants to do in lie around and eat...and he is eating me out of house and hydrogen.


13 posted on 11/08/2011 9:43:35 AM PST by ixtl ( You live and learn. Or you don't live long.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Really cool video. Thanks!


14 posted on 11/08/2011 11:05:45 AM PST by colorado tanker
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To: NYer

Thank you so much for that! I actually cried while watching it, because that beautiful, happy, energetic dog is so obedient to his owner and I want to be just like that with my Lord and Master, Jesus, following His steps, His commands, His hand and eye movements, and making a lovely dance together! (I also thought about how much I miss dancing!)


15 posted on 11/08/2011 1:39:21 PM PST by .30Carbine
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