Observe a Heiligenschein

Heiligenschein, a word borrowed from German, literally means "saint's shine or light". In German, the term is usually used only in a religious context. It can be loosely translated as "halo" or "aura". In English, it refers to a ring of light visible around the shadow of the observer's head, created by optical phenomena that occur under certain conditions.

Steps

  1. Choose a time early in the morning, when shadows are long and the sun is low in the sky. You will need direct sunlight without cloud interference.
  2. Find a dewy, grassy field. A lawn that has been freshly watered might also work. Heiligenschein is an optical effect caused by the spherical droplets of water acting as lenses, so an even, fine coating of dew is best.
  3. Stand in direct sunlight, so that your entire shadow is visible on the grass and your back is pointed directly at the sun.
  4. Look down at the shadow of your head. This point is called the "antisolar point" because from your viewpoint, it is directly opposite the sun. Having your shadow in the "antisolar point" is important because the Heiligenschein phenomenon is due in part to the fact that the direction of the sun prevents you from being able to see any other shadows around your shadow. If a circular area around the shadow of your head appears brighter than the rest of the grass, you're looking at a Heiligenschein. This "halo" should appear to move with you when you move around.

Tips

  • Also try looking for this effect in frozen dew, in a morning frost.
  • If you don't see any such effect, don't give up. Try a different morning or a different lawn. Conditions may not be quite right.
  • The heiligenschein is distinct from a couple of other similar effects. In mist or fog, a halo or aura around the anti-solar point is called a "glory". On a solid surface, such as pavement, it is called an "opposition effect".

Things You'll Need

  • An early morning
  • Dewy or frosty grass
  • Sun, not obscured by clouds

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Sources and Citations

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