Wow talk about getting weird – my infamous ‘Weird Cloud Shoots’ video on Youtube is definitely getting the media attention.
If you haven’t seen it…here it is:
I already had a Japanese Media Company contact me, and this aired in on a TV Programme called Torihada show in October. I recently got in contact with a British Media Company and now have an email from a Spanish Media Company – both keen on licensing the video. Wow! And what exactly is the effect – well this Slashdot article and this Discovery magazine blog seems to have a very plausible theory. All seems very logical. And when it goes to become NASA’s Astronomy Picture (Video) of the Day (APOD) – 8th November 2011 – on their website, you know it’s going to get a rationale explanation when it goes to NASA (well one hopes – as some people haven’t ruled out Aliens, or Government intervention etc!).
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) - 8th November 2011
And what has NASA Scientists got to say about it – well, as follows:
“Explanation: What’s happening above those clouds? In the past few years, videos have appeared on the web detailing an unusual but little known phenomenon: rapid light changes over clouds. Upon inspection and contemplation, a leading hypothesis for its cause has now emerged. In sum, this hypothesis holds that a lightning discharge in a thundercloud can temporarily change the electric field above the cloud where charged ice crystals were reflecting sunlight. The new electric field quickly re-orients the geometric crystals to a new orientation that reflects sunlight differently. In other words, a lightning discharge can cause a sundog to jump. Soon, the old electric field may be restored, causing the ice crystals to return to their original orientation. To help this curious phenomenon become better studied, sky enthusiasts with similar jumping or dancing sundog videos are encouraged to share them. (source: NASA APOD)
