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.
