Parhelia is a strange name for an equally strange phenomena which was on dazzling display in and around Eagle Grove several times during the current cold snap. But you had to be up in the middle of the night to see it. Those who were, were surprised to see the typically dark night sky brilliantly lit up.
Also called ice halos, sun dogs, mock or phantom suns, and snow bows, the effect is similar to the optical effect of a halo, except it’s caused by light refracted through ice crystals hanging in the air, instead of light reflecting off something very shiny. For this to happen at low altitudes, the air has to be very, very cold.
The ice crystals hanging in the air on such a cold day can act like a prism, bending the light as they refract it. Creating effects similar to halos, and rainbows, but often without the characteristic bow effect of typical rainbows because the refraction of the light is through hexagonal ice crystals, instead of rounded water droplets.
And in our modern age, when our cities and towns are lit up at night, the effect can send the light from streetlights, homes, and businesses streaking into the night. Almost like laser beams shot straight upwards. But with the light refracting outward and lighting up the night for miles.
Which is exactly what local resident Jim Fisher caught through his lens in this haunting image, just past midnight, on a recent evening on the outskirts of town. Where the lights of the city of Eagle Grove can be seen forming incredible shafts of light flaring into the night sky.
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