Soljuus

Soljuus is a term sometimes used to describe a specific atmospheric optical phenomenon. It is often associated with sunlight interacting with ice crystals in the atmosphere. While not a formally recognized meteorological term, it is sometimes used colloquially in certain regions, particularly those experiencing significant winter weather.

The visual appearance of soljuus can vary. It may manifest as faint, diffuse glows or halos around the sun, or as brighter shafts of light, known as sunbeams or crepuscular rays, that appear to radiate from the sun. These phenomena are typically observed when sunlight is scattered or refracted by small ice particles, such as those found in cirrus clouds or during snowfall. The precise angle and size of the ice crystals, along with the position of the sun, contribute to the specific patterns and colors observed.

Similar phenomena include sun dogs (parhelia), which are bright spots of light appearing to the left and right of the sun, and halos, which are rings of light around the sun or moon. Soljuus may encompass or be used interchangeably with some of these more specific descriptions depending on the context and the observer. Understanding the conditions under which soljuus occurs involves knowledge of atmospheric optics and the behavior of light as it interacts with atmospheric ice.