Fog Bow, Brocken Spectre, Glory and Shipwreck
August 23, 2013
Photographer: Mila Zinkova; Mila’s Web site
Summary Author: Mila Zinkova
The photo at top shows a spectacular 360 degree fogbow, a 360 degree solar glory and the Spectre of the Brocken as viewed from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. In order to see such a display the fog layer needs to be below the observer and the Sun should be positioned above him or her. Golden Gate Strait and Golden Gate Bay are both well known for their fog and are one of the best places in the world to see fog-related optical phenomena. Still, seeing the 360 degree fogbow, replete with a spectre shadow and glory, is a rare treat.
Fog and marine layers have long endangered ships entering San Francisco. Over the years, more than 100 ocean going vessels have been wrecked or were run aground because of the very foggy conditions, strong currents and rocky reefs in and around San Francisco Bay. One of the most infamous wrecks involved the SS City of Rio de Janeiro in 1901. Of the 211 passengers it carried less than half (79 people) survived. Even now, if the tides and weather cooperate, one can see part of a shipwreck sticking out of the turbulent waters. Shown at left, a piece of a ship’s engine (populated now by mussels, starfish and barnacles) is all that’s left from a long-forgotten wreck.