An alien Earth: a triple sunrise.

[Esav Benyamin]

Astronomy Picture of the Day likes to present pictures of nature's wonders, and explain them for us. In today's scene,
the explanation is a mystery and we are invited to speculate on what might have caused this spectacular event.

A Triple Sunrise Over Gdansk Bay​

 

[Totally Judy]

Thanks for sharing this with us, Esav. Truly fascinating.

 

[555]

Cool image Esav.

Are you sure, this image isn't from the Movie 2010?

 

[mete]

You're seeing mirage ! Different temperature layers of air refract the light and in this case three images appear. Mother nature does it again !!

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Mirage of some sort is most likely, but remember, these guys are pretty sharp.
If they feel there is a possibility of something unusual going on, I am interested.

 

[Bumppo]

Refraction through double or triple paned glass?

 

[JTR357]

:thumbup:Cool image Esav.Mete nailed it.

 

[not2sharp]

Mirage of some sort is most likely, but remember, these guys are pretty sharp.
If they feel there is a possibility of something unusual going on, I am interested.

It looks like the moon and sun in conjunction; with the moon illuminated by Earthshine (reflected sunlight).

n2s

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I cannot imagine Earthshine as bright as a rising sun. Even on a dark night, it barely illuminates the portion unlit by the sun.

 

[joe-bob]

APOD is one of my favorite sites.

 

[not2sharp]

I cannot imagine Earthshine as bright as a rising sun. Even on a dark night, it barely illuminates the portion unlit by the sun.

Neither can I; but there is likely more to this picture then meets the eye. This my be a photo taken through a telescope with enough aperture to really brighten the appearance of the moon. Also, I get the impression that the sun is just starting to emerge at the horizon; the bright area that looks like the sun may be just a reflection.

n2s

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Also, I get the impression that the sun is just starting to emerge at the horizon; the bright area that looks like the sun may be just a reflection.

That suggests an interesting possibility. The clear-edged sun on the left is the actual sun. The stacked images to the right are duplicate reflections. As you point out, that sun is just over the horizon. Its reflection off a heated layer of the atmosphere might be reflected in the water and re-reflected onto that atmospheric layer again.

 

[b.c.molin]

No idea as to the 'how' but 'wow' to the image.

 

[not2sharp]

That suggests an interesting possibility. The clear-edged sun on the left is the actual sun. The stacked images to the right are duplicate reflections. As you point out, that sun is just over the horizon. Its reflection off a heated layer of the atmosphere might be reflected in the water and re-reflected onto that atmospheric layer again.

Here is a shot of the moon illuminated mostly by Earth shine. It was captured on film as a 15 second exposure using a 60mm telescope.

n2s

Photo borrowed from:

http://www.robertreeves.com/TV-60isTSP.htm

 

[JonRem]

Stunning! I would have liked to see that in person. Thanks for sharing.

 

[elkins45]

Refraction through double or triple paned glass?

I saw the same picture on APOD. The discussion on the website never ruled out that the photog was shooting through a window. Until told otherwise that's the most reasonable explanation.