Circumhorizontal Arc

We saw this strange horizontal "rainbow" in the overcast skies above White Sands National Monument last weekend. This was taken at about noon. It was not raining. The phenomenon lasted about 30 minutes. Not the most artistic photo but a cool and rare atmospheric feature.

That is pretty cool, I love these types of phenomena. Thanks for sharing it!

Wild, Phil! I'd say this one stands way out from the pack of usual White Sands images. Amazing phenomenon plus a straightforward decent comp, sometimes that's all you need.

Thanks guys! Unfortunately this was shot right at noon under overcast skies so the light was less than desirable. Can't see much detail in the sand (ripples, etc.). But it is interesting!

Phillip, I'll bet you didn't waste any time trying to find the pot 'o gold at the end of this one.

Great, Phillip...thanks for sharing.
Joe Rogers

Cool shot! I didn't know you could get rainbows at noon since I thought they always appeared in the opposite part of the sky as the sun. I wonder if its actually a sundog. I think this could explain why this is horizontal. If it had been a full sundog, it would have appeared as a full circle that encircles the sun. Since it was only partial, it gave the illusion of being straight. In fact, the rainbow/sundog is curving towards you, since its above you, as opposed to most you see that are curving down toward the horizon. Or at least that's my guess.

Very unusual to see one in the middle of the day and great comp to go along with it! I agree with Grant on the origin of it!

Check out these links:

Link 1
Link 2

Definitely not a Sun Dog.

Very cool shot. I wonder, did you shoot any from a lower angle, to bring the phenomenon lower in the frame and closer to the plants?

Sweeeet! As a weatherdude, i really am digging this. Big C is super annoying...im almost tempted to swipe your image just so i can clean it up (would take 5 seconds in PS )

Well Stan, if it bother's you that much, you can always buy a print!

Rodney: I don't think there was any way to bring the arc lower into the frame. Would have been nice though!

Awesome shot, Phil! I think it's definitely an artistic, portfolio-worthy shot. I like white White Sands shots, the blues are nice, and the rainbow thingy pushes it into the extraordinary realm! The big copyright is annoying though.

That is cool Phil! I've never ever seen or even heard of anything like that! Is it only in certain weather conditions that that giant "C" shows up in the sky? Do tell me more!

OK! Fine! I'll drop the "C". Sheesh! Tough crowd!