An unprecedented astronomical phenomenon struck the inhabitants of the Chinese city of Cunde: the sun was repeated 7 times on the sunset sky. Some connected this event with the possible arrival of the apocalypse.
Witnesses photographed the images of the event, recorded the moment and shared photos on social networks, where they quickly became viral.
Why did 7 soles appear in China?
In the afternoon on Monday, August 19, 2024, residents of the city witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon, since the sky was lit by the appearance of seven soles. This solar event is called Parchelio and is an optical illusion caused by the refraction of sunlight in the atmosphere.
Under normal conditions, the light moves in a straight line. However, through drops of water or ice crystals, their trajectory changes. This physical phenomenon is called refraction and is the same principle that emits a rainbow.
Since ice crystals have a hexagonal shape, light is reflected in many directions. This phenomenon caused observation of 7 consecutive stars.
What causes an unusual look of seven soles?
Although Parchelio often happens, the appearance of seven soles is rare. Most often, one or two copies of the star are found, depending on the location and size of ice crystals.
Its appearance is most likely in cold areas and during sunrise or sunset, when the sun is in a low position on the horizon.
