Circumhorizontal Arc Over Alexandria, Egypt

Photographer: Aymen Ibrahem
Summary Author: Aymen Ibrahem, Jim Foster

The photo above shows an elegant circumhorizontal arc as photographed on the morning of May 8, 2008, over Alexandria, Egypt. On this spring day, hexagonal ice crystals in cirrus clouds produced a rare and magnificent halo display which dazzled Alexandria. Observing the display from the Plaza of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, I noted a parhelic circle and a colorful 22 degree halo, and while taking in these sumptuous sights, my eyes were diverted to a circumhorizontal arc, just above the library. When the circumhorizontal arc faded a short time later, a spectacular 46 degree halo came into view. What a glorious morning!