Intensity distribution of the parhelic circle and embedded parhelia at low solar elevations: theory and experiments
arXiv:1412.8033
Abstract
We describe the intensity distribution of the parhelic circle for plate-oriented hexagonal ice crystals at very low solar elevations using geometrical optics. An experimental as well as theoretical study of in-plane ray-paths provides details on the mechanism for several halos, including the parhelia, the parhelia, the blue spot and the Liljequist parhelia. Azimuthal coordinates for associated characteristic features in the intensity distribution are compared to data obtained using a rotating hexagonal glass prism.
10 pages, 9 figures