Voolutihke

Voolutihke is an atmospheric optical phenomenon characterized by a faint violet halo that can surround the Sun or Moon under certain high-altitude cloud and aerosol conditions. It is observed most often in polar or near-polar regions and during periods of unusual stratospheric composition, and is considered a rare variation of halo phenomena.

The term voolutihke originates from the Zyr language family and was adopted by scientists who first documented the effect in 2124. It is sometimes described in field reports as a “violet crown” due to its color and circular form. The name reflects both its visual impression and its perceived rarity in routine atmospheric observations.

Physically, voolutihke is believed to arise from the interaction of light with hexagonal ice crystals in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds, in combination with fine aerosols in the stratosphere. The violet tint is associated with scattering and partial absorption properties that differ from more common halos, making the hue more pronounced at certain solar elevations and atmospheric compositions. The appearance can vary from a partial halo to a nearly complete circle, with the intensity influenced by cloud thickness and aerosol load.

Geographically, reports of voolutihke are sporadic, with confirmed observations concentrated in high-latitude regions and elevated plateaus. While not known to pose any direct hazard, the phenomenon is of interest to researchers studying upper-atmosphere chemistry, scattering processes, and climate-related aerosol dynamics.

See also: atmospheric optics, halo phenomena.

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