THE DEVIL IN THE SKY -- A PORTENT?

This week, a sight appeared in the morning sky that was luckily photographed and shared with the world. The photos, of course, went viral, and stories about the phenomenon multiplied like rabbits.

The event was a solar eclipse. . . but it wasn't to be just any solar eclipse. Greek amateur photographer and astronomer Elias Chasiotis flew from Athens to a town in Qatar where he knew the eclipse would be visible. When at sunrise it finally occurred, he was awed by the sight.

"The sun rose from the sea in two pieces," Chasiotis explained. The effect was shocking -- the fire-colored halves resembled two horns! Moments later, another effect occurred which looked surprisingly like two fangs suspended over the water. The event included a period when the shape took on the form of the Islamic symbol of the Crescent Moon.

The irony of it all was that the occurrence happened in the Persian Gulf. Just five days later, Iraqi backed insurgents attacked the US embassy in Baghdad. Exactly a week later, IRGC head Qassam Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike.

Stunning Sunrise Photos Show ‘Devil Horns’ During Solar Eclipse
The right time, the right spot and the right phenomenon landed one photographer a photo set of a lifetime
By Nina Lin | January 9, 2020 | 10:52 pm | nbcnewyork.com

Photographer and amateur astronomer Elias Chasiotis was in place to watch Dec. 26's annular solar eclipse when he captured stunning photos of a sunrise that resembled red devil horns.

Chasiotis, who knew the eclipse would be visible from Qatar at sunrise, flew to the coastal city of Al Wakrah from Athens to capture the "ring of fire" rising from the sea.

"I was so anxious because the sky was hazy and there was scattered, thin cloudiness," Chasiotis told NBC. "Finally, the sun rose from the sea in two pieces."

The "pieces," sporting flared bases as a result of an inferior mirage, resembled horns.

A mirage effect caused by light bent by warm air within the Earth's atmosphere is known as the Etruscan Vase effect, according to NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day, so-called because of the resemblance to the flared base of the vase. It was the result he had waited for.

"The sight was magical," Chasiotis said. "I was thrilled!"

"The annular phase was to follow in some minutes, but unfortunately the sun was hidden behind the clouds," he said. "The main parts was missed, but this sunrise was the most stunning sunrise I have ever seen."

Minutes later, he captured another perfectly timed photo – a golden curve arching above a flying plane.

2020 will see two solar eclipses: an annular eclipse will be visible across eastern Africa and southern Asia on June 21 and a total eclipse will be visible in the southern tip of Chile and Argentina on Dec. 14.