Photo of the Day

[Crewleader]

March 2, 2015

Icesheet #4727

Photograph by Murray Fredericks, National Geographic

A constellation of orbs, rings, and halos hangs above the Greenland ice sheet in this picture by Murray Fredericks, who spent months photographing the island’s remote beauty. The optical phenomena seen here occur when ice crystals—suspended by powerful winds called piteraqs—refract sunlight.

ICESHEET #4727, 22° AND 46° HALO, TANGENT ARC, PARRY ARC, CIRCUMZENITHAL ARC, AND PARHELIC CIRCLE

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Wow, my dear Crewleader!

This is an amazing shot! I think the photographer must have labored mightily to get the right conditions for this.

Thank you for finding it and bringing it to us!

[Crewleader]

2. He definitely worked for it! Amazing shot indeed!

Goodnight My Sweet Friend!

[Fumesucker]

3. Looks like a giant palantir hanging in the sky

[MissMarple]

4. Awesome

This takes me back to my high school sci fi reading days. Anything is possible, we can touch the stars. And we can.

[burrowowl]

5. WOW!

[Sherman A1]

6. Cool!

I really like it!

[brer cat]

7. That is an amazing photo.

Thanks for sharing. K&R

[Mz Pip]

8. Wow

That is spectacular. It's very surreal and Sci-fi like.