 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.


 Omega Sun over South Padre Island, Texas

   May 12, 2021

    Omega Sunset

   Photographer:  César Cantú
   Summary Authors:  César Cantú;  Jim Foster
   The photo above was captured at  sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, as
   viewed from South Padre Island, Texas. Because of  strong
   atmospheric refraction the solar disk takes the shape of the Greek
   letter  omega.

   At sunset or sunrise, sunlight directed towards us from the lower
   portion of the Sun passes through a somewhat denser atmosphere than
   rays coming from the Sun’s upper limb. Consequently, the bottom of the
   solar disk is refracted more, and thus  distorted more, than the top
   of the solar disk. The  omega shape (also known as Etruscan vase)
   actually results from an inferior mirage. When the Sun drops beneath
   the horizon, its  inferior mirage seems to connect with the true
   Sun.

   A wind turbine for generating electric power is in the foreground.
   Photo taken on March 6, 2021.

   South Padre Island, Texas Coordinates: 26.1118, -97.1681


Related EPODs

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   Viewed from the Tower of Viterbo Airport, Italy  22 Degree Halo
   Observed from Melbourne, Florida  Sunrise and Cloud Mirages Observed
   from Monte Tomba, Italy  Views of Sahara Dust over the Canary
   Islands (Spain) and Paris, France  Cloud Corona Above Syracuse,
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    More...

Atmospheric Effects Links

     *  Atmospheric Optics
     *  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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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
