What's This Effect?

[Osbourne One-Nil]

While at the top of Blencathra last night, and coughing up blood, I happened to notice what looked like a sun-dog, but directly beneath the Sun. Does anyone know what it is? Wibs suggested it might be the sun reflecting off the Irish Sea back to a cloud layer. I hope to god she's not right...I couldn't bear that.

[LauraWibs]

It's the sun reflecting off the sea. I realised that after I'd regained conciousness and had wiped the sweat from my eyes.

Edited June 3, 2009 by LauraWibs

[Osbourne One-Nil]

You did ever so well to get up there at all, because a 2848ft mountain to most must be like flying to the Moon for you.

[LauraWibs]

I'm going to hurt you.

[03jtrickey]

It looks very much like the sea, to me.

[Osbourne One-Nil]

Well, I wondered that, but it looked to be too high up to me. It was quite hazy, so I couldn't make things out that far though.

[johnholmes]

cloud not the sea

[Phil UK]

Was thinking, possible sea reflection, low cloud acting as a sort of mirror but definitaley not a Sundog. They only occur either side of, and not below or above the Sun.

Only other optical phenomena would be the 9º halo (insignificant unless the Sun is high in the sky), 22º halo (mostly responsible for sundogs which as said above, only occur to the left and right of the Sun), circumzenithal arc. Only ever seen one of those once.

I would have thought also a Sun mirage but the Sun was still just too high for that. Needs to be very near the horizon.

(Wibbles) Laura, you'll just have to hurt him I'm afraid.

Be gentle now!

Phil.

[The Penguin]

Nah. It's Soaring Hawk finally getting a double-entendre.

[Soaring Hawk]

I know who I am going to hurt........

Edited June 5, 2009 by Soaring Hawk