A "parhelias"
A "parhelias" witnessed on 21 December 1756Diagram by P. Collinson, 30 April 1757, showing a "parhelias" witnessed on 21 December 1756.
A parhelion is a luminous bright spot which sometimes appears on either side of the sun, often on a ring or halo.
Collinson indicates the position of the sun and the two parhelia on either side with small circles, and includes their halos. On one of these he notes “this was like a rainbow but not so bright”.
It is possible the draughtsman was Peter Collinson, 1694–1768, natural scientist and botanist.
In this exhibition
- Skill and dexterity
- Science and medicine
- Information
- Print and publication
- Capturing and recording
- Passing the time